Can you get probation for a class A felony in Missouri? Under Missouri law, a class A felony is the most serious type of felony and carries the most severe range of punishment – including a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years or life in prison. While you are “technically” always eligible for probation, for many class A felonies – especially those involving violence or danger to others – probation is statutorily prohibited. However, there are some specific exceptions discussed below.
If you have been charged with a class A felony, talk to a skilled criminal defense attorney at Combs Waterkotte right now about your options given the specific facts and circumstances of your case. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation. Our legal team has over 40 years of experience and has successfully handled more than 10,000 cases just like yours.
In Missouri, probation is not completely or automatically off the table for every class A felony. It depends heavily on the nature of the offense, the specifics of your case, your criminal history, and the advocacy, tenacity, and skill of your defense attorney. For example, probation might be possible for some drug trafficking offenses under certain conditions, although every case is different.
Exceptions or Special Circumstances for Probation for a Class A Felony
While probation is generally not an option for a class A felony in Missouri, there are a few instances where it could be possible, including:
- Reduced Charges in Plea Negotiations: If your skilled Combs Waterkotte felony defense attorney can negotiate a plea deal that reduces the class A felony to a lesser charge – like a class B or C felony – probation could become a possibility.
- Suspended Sentences: In some cases, your lawyer could petition the court to impose a sentence but suspend its execution, placing you on probation instead. This is more common for nonviolent felony offenses – such as burglary, financial fraud, or drug crimes. For class A felonies, it’s unlikely in Missouri unless there are exceptional mitigating factors.
- First-Time Offenders: Although rare, if you’re a first-time offender, your defense attorney may have a better chance of negotiating probation or even a lighter sentence if the crime didn’t involve violence or harm to others.
Crimes Where Probation is Prohibited
Missouri law explicitly prohibits probation for certain crimes, including:
- First-Degree Murder is punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty, with no possibility of probation.
- First-Degree Assault where serious physical injury occurs is also likely to lead to lengthy prison time without the possibility of probation.
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Call the Expert Attorneys at Combs Waterkotte Today to Find Out if You Can Probation for a Class A Felony in Missouri
In most cases, probation is not available for class A felony offenses in Missouri. Although it’s rare, plea deals, reduced charges, or mitigating factors can possibly open the door for probation. Having a specialized class A felony defense attorney by your side is essential in exploring any possibility of probation.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a confidential case review with one of our expert felony defense lawyers.
