St. Charles Felony Attorney

Felony crime charges are the most serious that you can face in Missouri. While misdemeanor charges can result in jail time of less than a year, felony charges can lead to prison sentences of several years, up to life, and fines of up to $10,000. Being convicted of a felony gives you a permanent criminal record that endangers your future in terms of employment, career advances, professional licenses, housing, advanced educational opportunities, loss of gun rights, voting rights, and more. Also, if you are convicted of any future felonies, you will likely face increased penalties as a prior offender.  

Missouri Felony Classifications 

In Missouri, felony crimes are categorized into five classes as follows:

• Class A:  These are the most serious, punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison or up to life imprisonment. Examples of these crimes include drug trafficking, murder, forcible rape, kidnapping, and robbery.
• Class B: These are punishable by 5 to 15 years in prison. Examples include voluntary manslaughter and first-degree residential burglary.
• Class C: These carry prison terms of up to 10 years and/or fines of up to $10,000. Examples include drug possession, involuntary manslaughter, and theft.
• Class D: These carry up to seven years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000. Examples include fraud, passing bogus checks, and second-degree assault.
• Class E: These carry up to four years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Examples of these include first-degree stalking, criminal negligence, and fraudulent purchase of a firearm.

Where your offense has resulted in financial gain, you may be fined double the amount of your gain from the crime as opposed to the fine required by law. 

Have you been arrested for a felony offense? Call James E. Carmichael, Attorney at Law, today at (636) 442-0077 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our felony lawyer in St. Charles.