Protect Your Life

Felonies

September 25, 2024

Protect Your Life After a Felony Arrest

Protect Your Life. A felony arrest in St. Louis or anywhere else in Missouri can be a life-changing event with far-reaching, long-lasting consequences. It’s critical to act quickly and carefully to protect your rights, your future, and your livelihood. First off, you should speak with an expert felony defense lawyer at Combs Waterkotte. Do not wait until it’s too late.

Felony convictions follow you forever. Those convicted can’t own a gun or vote, and can find it extremely difficult to obtain employment, housing, life insurance, a passport, a loan, or any type of public assistance. That’s not to mention prison sentences, which can range up to life, or probation and parole, which can require life-long reporting to preventative groups as well as intrusive testing.

Call (314) 900-HELP immediately or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation where you can discuss the specifics of your case and your next steps with one of our skilled criminal defense attorneys. We have over 30 years of experience successfully defending felony cases just like yours. Here’s how to protect your life after being arrested for a felony:

Protect Your Life With the Felony Defense Legal Team at Combs Waterkotte

Hire an Expert Felony Defense Attorney

As mentioned above, don’t wait. Hire a criminal defense lawyer right away. A knowledgeable Combs Waterkotte attorney will serve as your advocate, working to minimize the impact of the felony charges on your life by:

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

Aside from hiring a skilled attorney, the most important thing you can do immediately after a felony arrest is to remain silent. Those movies and television shows are surprisingly accurate, at least when they portray or reiterate: Anything you say can and will be used against you. Politely and firmly decline to answer any questions without an attorney present. Even if you believe you can explain the situation, now is not the time to do it.

Post Bail and Prepare for Court

If bail is set, post it as soon as possible. This will allow you to work closely with your attorney in preparing your defense and maintaining your personal and professional responsibilities. Remember to attend all court appearances and hearings, as missing any will make matters far worse.

Limit What You Share With Others

Avoid discussing your case with friends, family, or on social media. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you, even if it seems innocent, unrelated, or casual. Only talk about your case with your skilled attorney, who can provide the legal guidance you need.

Plan for Life After Your Felony Case

Even if you’re acquitted or receive a reduced sentence, a felony charge can have lasting effects on your life. If convicted, consult with your attorney about potential options like expungement. Other possible options include:

  • Alternative Sentencing Programs: These include community service, probation, or alcohol/drug treatment.
  • Pardons: These are rare, but the Governor can grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations after conviction. A pardon, whether full or partial, can restore firearm privileges, but does not remove the conviction from your record.
  • Clemency: In addition to pardons, other types include commutations of sentences and reprieves.

Protect Your Life After Felony Arrest | Expert Felony Defense Lawyers | Combs Waterkotte

How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record in Missouri?

A felony will stay on your criminal record for life if you don’t take steps to resolve it. The good news is that some felonies are eligible for expungement. It’s critical to consult with an attorney experienced in expungement law, like one at Combs Waterkotte, to determine if your felony conviction qualifies. The following are some of the crimes that are eligible. An exhaustive list is available at www.courts.mo.gov:

Call Combs Waterkotte to Protect Your Life After a Felony Arrest

A felony arrest is serious, but it does not need to define your future. You can protect your life by calling an experienced felony defense attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review.