St. Louis Felony Defense Lawyer
Have You Been Arrested or Charged for Felonies?
If You Have Been Arrested Or Are Facing Felony Charges In St. Louis, Trust Rose Legal Services to Help Get Your Life Back On Track as Soon as Possible.
Facing an arrest or getting charged with a criminal offense can be an overwhelming and traumatic situation for anyone, but knowing that those charges could warrant a felony make it even more crucial to find a seasoned and experienced criminal defense attorney. Knowing that a conviction could affect your life, your relationships, and your employment, many people may feel that combating these charges is a daunting prospect. Fortunately, with a St. Louis felony defense lawyer on your side, you will not have to take on this challenging ordeal alone. The experienced attorneys at Rose Legal Services are ready to advocate on your behalf and provide you with the criminal defense you need.
Arrested on Felony Charges in St. Louis?
In Missouri, criminal offenses will fall into three types of classes: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Infractions are the lowest level of charge, and can usually be paid off without the need for a court appearance. Misdemeanor charges are those offenses punished by terms of imprisonment one year or less, while felonies are considered serious crimes that carry a potential punishment of more than one year in prison.
Felonies carry the possibility of prison time. Or, if your record is good and the felonies are not serious, jail time and probation are also possibilities. Depending on the severity and type of the charges, having a felony conviction on your record could make it difficult for you to continue to work in your industry, find a place to live, receive financial aid for higher education, or even possess a firearm.
What To Do After Being Arrested For A Felony
If you have been arrested for a felony, it can mean devastating consequences should you be convicted. That is why to have the best chance to avoid these severe outcomes, you need to make sure you take action from the start of your case. These steps include the following:
Try to Stay Calm and Composed
One of the hardest things you will have to do after being arrested for felony charges is to remain calm, even if you know you are innocent. This means that you should not try to argue with the police or resist arrest. Unfortunately, these actions can not only make you appear guilty, but they can also result in additional charges being filed against you.
Exercise Your Specific Rights
If you have ever turned on a police show, you have probably heard the line, “you have a right to remain silent.” According to the Fifth Amendment, individuals have a right to refuse to testify against themselves in a criminal case, and the Supreme Court held in Miranda v. Arizona that this right includes the right to refuse to answer police questions.
If the police want to ask you questions, exercise your right to remain silent! No good can come from answering their questions – even if you are innocent. Just tell the police you will not answer any of their questions without a lawyer present.
Contact an Experienced St. Louis Felony Defense Lawyer Immediately
Finally, the best way to defend yourself is to contact an experienced St. Louis felony defense lawyer as soon as possible. Every minute that you spend without an attorney on your behalf hurts your case. So whether you have already been arrested, or are simply aware that an investigation is underway, the time to contact a lawyer is now. Reach out to a knowledgeable and skilled St. Louis felony defense lawyer today who will help advocate for your freedom.
Common Felony Charges In St. Louis
Felonies are also broken down into classes to help define the different ranges of punishment for the various criminal offenses. For example, in Missouri, there are five classes ranging from Class A to Class E, with Class A holding the most severe crimes.
Consider the following felonies:
- Class A: First-degree robbery and murder.
- Class B: Voluntary manslaughter, first-degree assault, and first-degree burglary.
- Class C: Illegal drug sales or involuntary manslaughter.
- Class D: Second-degree statutory rape and second-degree assault.
- Class E: Fraudulent purchase of a gun.
Possible Penalties For Felonies In St. Louis
There are often maximum penalties for each class of felony and minimum penalties for the more serious crimes. Yet, generally, these penalties can be broken down into the following;
- Class A: Life in prison or prison time of at least ten years, but no more than 30 years.
- Class B: Prison time of at least five years, but not more than 15 years.
- Class C: At a minimum three years of prison time, but not more than ten years.
- Class D: Prison time of at least two years and no more than seven years, with the possibility of probation.
- Class E: Prison time of at least two years and no more than four years, with the possibility of probation.
Additionally, according to Missouri laws, certain crimes, like first-degree rape, have their own separate sentencing requirements, and fines may also be imposed as possible punishments for each class.
Find The Best St. Louis First Felony Defense Lawyer For You
Look for an attorney that takes your future as seriously as YOU DO. Experienced in a range of criminal defense cases, including stealing, property damage, and assault — the legal team at Rose Legal Services will work hard to get rid of your criminal record. Let’s start your case off with a free consultation, take the time to thoroughly review and inspect your case, and prepare a solid representation.
St. Louis Felony Defense Lawyer Near You
If you’re a first-time offender who has been wrongfully accused or made a mistake, take action today. Rose Legal Services exclusively defends clients against criminal charges in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, and surrounding areas. With more than 20 years of experience, rest assured we will work tirelessly & aggressively to defend you in the court of law.
- Immediate & Effective Representation
- Flat Fee Criminal Law Firm
- Get The UNDIVIDED ATTENTION Your Case Needs
- Take Legal Action TODAY
- All Cases Begin With A FREE Consultation
Hire a St. Louis Felony Defense Lawyer as soon as possible to help secure your future. If you’ve made a mistake, we can help get you off the hook as fast as possible — Start planning your defense today with a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Felony charges can result in very severe punishments if convicted. Working with an experienced felony defense lawyer will give you the best possible chance of getting your charges reduced or dropped, or getting a lower sentence. And conscientious judges will not even let you represent yourself on a felony.
Felonies do NOT have to ruin your life. With the right attorney on your side, you might be able to accept a plea bargain for a lesser charge or avoid the most severe punishments. A felony conviction can make many things harder later in life which is why it is so important to call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Many people believe that judges are more lenient on first-time offenders, but the reality is that they are just far less lenient on people who are repeat offenders. If you are charged with a crime for the first time, you will stand a better chance at a more lenient sentencing than if you have many priors on your record.
But if it is truly your first-offense, you may qualify for reduced or amended charges, probation, a treatment court program, or a diversion – it is important that you hire an attorney who is experienced in obtaining these types of dispositions for first-time offenders.