Felonies are the most serious type of crimes and carry the most serious penalties. In Missouri a felony conviction can result in prison terms from 2 years to life depending on the specific crime. While there are too many felony crimes to list here in total they include:
Possession of a Controlled Substance; Burglery; Robbery; Rape, Assault with a Weapon; Manufacture of a Controlled Substance; Distribution of a Controlled Substance; Child Molestation; Murder; Manslaughter; Sexual Assault; Forcible Sodomy; Statutory Sodomy; Domestic Assault; Tampering; Stealing of over $500.00; Kidnapping; Arson; Forgery; Several Types of Fraud; Promoting Prostitution; Sex Abuse; Sexual Misconduct; Receiving Stolen Property; Possession of Child Pornography; Endangering the Welfare of a Child; Armed Criminal Action; Unlawful Use of a Weapon; Trafficing in Drugs; Invasion of Privacy; Terrorism; Stalking; Elder Abuse; DUI / DWI - 3rd Offense; Etc.
Felonies are divided into four classes based on the severity of the crime. Each level is designated by a letter, specifically the letters A, B, C, and D. "A" is the highest class of felony while "D" is the lowest class of felony. While each crime has very specific penalties and they vary based on the specifics of that particular crime, generaly the penalty range for each classification is as follows:
Class A Felony - Not less than 10 years or more than 30 years, or life inprisionment;
Class B Felony - Not less than 5 years not to exceed 15 years;
Class C Felony - Not less than 2 years and not to exceed 7 years;
Class D Felony - Nnot less than 2 years and not to exceed 4 years.
Unclassified Felonies are those that do not fall within the A, B, C, D classifications for felonies. These felonies have specific terms of imprisionment stated in that criminal statute. Also any felony without any penalty specified is assumed to be a class D felony.
Multiple counts in a felony case represent a seperate charge and subject to the specified penalty for that offense. For example - if a felony information contains 2 counts of distribution of a controlled substance and 1 count of possession of a controlled substance, the distribution counts have a maximum penalty of 15 years each and the possession count has a maximum penalty of 7 years. That means that individual would be looking at a maximum prison sentence of 37 years (15 + 15 + 7 = 37).
This is why if you or a loved one is charged with a felony they need the best criminal attorney they can get. A conviction on a felony charge can be devistating to the person charged and to their family. Not only because of the obvious prison terms they are facing but also because a felony conviction will follow them their whole life, long after any sentence has been served. This is especially true regarding sex crimes due to the lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender wherever the person may reside.
I am an experienced, dedicated and aggressive criminal lawyer who will fight for your freedom and work to achieve the best possible outcome for my clients. Not every case will result in an aquital or a dismissal based on the evidence and specifics of each case. But you can rest assured that I will work to get the best result possible. You may want to refer to the "Our Results" page for typical results we achieve for our clients. While I cannot guarantee your case will come out as well as those listed, these are actual recent outcomes for our clients.
Call (417) 886-5940 to Speak to a Missouri Criminal Lawyer
I offer experience, dedication, and aggressive representation at a reasonable price. If you have been accused of committing a criminal act in Southwest Missouri, contact criminal defense attorney Robert F. Torp.
Law Offices of Acree and Torp
1736 East Sunshine Street, Suite 702
Springfield, MO 65804-1333
(888) 886-5940 phone
(417) 886-4281 fax
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Attorney Robert F. Torp in Springfield, Missouri, provides aggressive criminal defense representation for clients in Southwest Missouri including Branson, Marshfield, Buffalo, Greenfield, Pineville, Alton, Cassville, Ozark, Neosho, Gainsville, Ava, Lamar, Houston, Waynesville, Mt. Vernon, Lebanon, West Plains, Buffalo, Bolivar, Stockton, Nevada, Joplin, Barry County, Barton County, Cedar County, Christian County, Dade County, Douglas County, Greene County, Dallas County, Howell County, Laclede County, Lawrence County, McDonald County, Jasper County, Newton County, Oregon County, Ozark County, Polk County, Pulaski County, Stone County, Taney County, Texas County, Webster County, Vernon County, and Wright County.