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August 25, 2016

Different Types of Felonies and What they Mean in Missouri

Category: Blog, Criminal Law, Uncategorized | Tags: , ,

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Felonies: Explained.

Unsure what the different felony classifications mean? Most people understand that a felony is more serious than a misdemeanor, but few know that felony crimes are broken down into various categories. Violent crimes like murder, kidnapping and rape are all felonies, but other offenses like espionage, tax evasion, embezzlement and fraud can also be grouped here. Some of these crimes may be charged at the misdemeanor level, but if the offense was particularly egregious, it can be classified as a felony. There are many types of felonies, explained below.

To give a clearer breakdown of felonies in the state of Missouri, let’s start by first defining a felony: a crime more serious than a misdemeanor, typically involving violence, and usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.

Currently, felonies are grouped by A, B, C and D graded felonies.

Here are the different types of felonies:

An A felony is reserved for the most serious and violent offenses against a person.  A felonies carry a sentence of 10-30 years or life in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
A B felony is also for a serious offense against a person, but can include certain property crimes.  A B felony conviction carries a sentence of 5 to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Some A felonies carry life imprisonment without parole.
A C felony is mostly for property crimes and stealing, but it can also involve a crime against a person.  A C felony conviction carries a sentence term of one day to one year in the county jail and up to seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
A D felony conviction carries a sentence of one day to one year in the county jail and up to four (4) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
An E felony has been passed by the legislature and may be on the books in 2017.
Many other factors can weigh in to enhance or “bump up” a D or C felony case to a C or B felony case.
It takes a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney to guide a person charged with a crime through the maze of felony charges and the possible enhancements.

Read more about felonies or if you are in need of legal counsel, call the Daniel C. Miller law office in Kansas City at (816) 875-0470.