Class A Felony Lawyer Missouri

Class A Felony Lawyers in Missouri

If you’re facing a Class A felony charge in Missouri, the sooner you hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer, the better. Class A felonies are the most serious charges you can face in Missouri, and prosecutors go after offenders aggressively for that reason. That’s why it’s vital to hire an attorney as quickly as possible.

You can rely on Combs Waterkotte to develop a robust defense strategy designed to minimize the impact of your felony charges on your life and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

What Is Considered a Class A Felony in Missouri?

Many offenses can result in a Class A felony charge in Missouri. While RSMo §557.016 outlines the categories of felonies in Missouri and many following chapters of the Missouri Revised Statutes cover specific Class A felony charges, we’ve provided a brief but comprehensive look at Missouri’s Class A felonies below.

Violent Crimes

Violent crimes carry some of the harshest Class A felony penalties under Missouri law. These crimes may range from first and second-degree murder to weapons offenses and crimes against children. Here are the violent crimes that constitute a Class A felony in Missouri:

• Murder/Manslaughter
  • First-degree murder
  • Second-degree murder
  • Vehicular manslaughter (while intoxicated and with a prior offense)
• Assault
  • First-degree domestic assault that results in a serious injury
  • Vehicle hijacking with a deadly weapon or that results in a serious injury
  • First-degree assault on a special victim
• Crimes Against Children
  • Child kidnapping
  • Abuse or neglect of a child that results in death or serious injury
  • Abandonment or endangerment of a child that results in death
  • First-degree kidnapping
• Weapons Crimes
  • Unlawful use of a weapon that results in death or injury
  • Shooting at or from a vehicle that causes death or injury
  • Planting a bomb or explosive at or near a bus or terminal
  • Causing a catastrophe (collapse of a building or release of poison, radioactive material, bacteria, or virus)
  • Escaping from custody with a hostage or deadly weapon

Sex Crimes

There are a few sex crimes that can result in Class A felony charges in Missouri, most of which are the result of committing crimes against a child.

• Sex Crimes Against Children
  • First-degree child molestation
  • Sexual abuse of a child that results in an injury
  • Sexual exploitation of a child
  • First-degree promotion of child pornography to a minor
• Causing an HIV Infection
  • Knowingly infecting someone with HIV
  • Recklessly infecting someone with HIV (when the perpetrator knows they’re already infected)

Property and Theft Crimes

Many crimes related to theft don’t rise to the level of a Class-A felony in Missouri until the stolen property reaches a certain dollar value. These crimes include:

• First-degree robbery
• Stealing trailers, tanks, or containers filled with anhydrous ammonia
• Financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person (if the theft exceeds $75,000)

Drug and Controlled Substance Crimes

Class A felonies for controlled substances in Missouri range from simply tampering with a prescription all the way to manufacturing and trafficking. Here are the offenses that result in a Class A felony charge:

• Distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location
• Serious injuries or death that results from a meth explosion
• First-degree drug trafficking
• Tampering with a prescription drug order

DUI/DWI Crimes

Plenty of impaired driving offenses can result in a Class A felony charge in Missouri, whether you’re commuting on land or in the water. Here are the Class A offenses:

• DWI and boating while intoxicated (BWI) under certain circumstances:
  • Habitual offenders on their 2nd or subsequent violation
  • Causing the death of law enforcement or emergency personnel
  • Causing the death or two or more people

Class A Felony Defense Strategies in Missouri

Combs Waterkotte uses a number of proven defense strategies against Missouri Class A felony charges. Any one of these strategies, either alone or in combination with another, can make the difference in your case.

• Alibi: If you can provide enough reasonable doubt through video, photo, or GPS data that you weren’t present when the crime was committed, that can go a long way for your defense.
• Self-Defense: If you killed or assaulted someone using reasonable force to protect yourself from imminent harm, we may be able to get your Class A felony dismissed. This defense is also powerful at trial and could result in a not-guilty verdict.
• Defense of Others: Using reasonable force to protect someone else is allowed in certain situations under Missouri law. This defense may be applicable in your case.
• Lack of Intent: Many Missouri Class A felonies require intent. If you can prove a lack of intent, we may be able to reduce or even dismiss your charges.
• Fourth Amendment: If police searched or confiscated your property improperly, that evidence may not be admissible, which can help with a reduction or dismissal of Class A felony charges.
• Fifth Amendment: The Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination, guarantees due process, and protects you against double jeopardy. It can prove to be a strong defense in Class A felony cases.

What Are the Consequences of a Class A Felony in Missouri?

Class A felony charges are the most serious a defendant can face in the state of Missouri. A conviction on a Class A felony can lead to 10 to 30 years or even life imprisonment. At the same time, it can result in other personal or professional difficulties, as Class A felonies cannot be expunged from your record — difficulties like:

• The loss of child custody
• The inability to apply for or receive certain professional licenses
• The loss of employment opportunities
• The loss of gun rights
• The loss of voting rights
• Inability to serve on a jury
• Inability to hold public office