Criminal defense
Criminal defense in Springfield, MO
Felony and misdemeanor charges in Greene County and the counties around it. Your lawyer takes the first call and stands beside you in court.
The answer
What the class means
Every Missouri offense class, the range it carries and the charges on this site that carry it.
What Ted handles
Charges Ted handles
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- Assault and domestic assault
- Weapons charges
- Stealing and burglary
- Probation violations
- Warrants and missed court dates
How it moves
Two clocks, side by side
What the case is doing and what you or your license are doing at the same moment. Tap a step.
- 1
Day 0
Arrest or summons
The case: Booking, then bond set by schedule or by a judge, or a summons with a court date.
What you do: Say nothing about the case. Keep every paper you are handed. Call.
- 2
Days 1 to 3
Release and conditions
The case: Bond conditions can include no contact, no alcohol, monitoring.
What you do: Keep every condition. A violation becomes its own problem.
- 3
Weeks later
First appearance
The case: The charge is read. A felony then moves toward a preliminary hearing or a grand jury.
What you do: Show up, with Ted. Nothing is decided that day.
- 4
Months
Discovery and motions
The case: Reports, video, lab results and witness statements come in. Problems become motions.
What you do: Write down what you remember, for Ted only. Do not talk to anyone involved.
- 5
The end of the case
Resolution
The case: A dismissal, a plea to something smaller, or trial.
What you do: You make the final call. Ted tells you what each path means for your record.
Criminal defense: common questions
Should I talk to the police or the prosecutor myself first?
No. Anything you say becomes part of the case. Say that you want your lawyer and stop there. Ted talks to the prosecutor for you, with the file in front of him.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Missouri?
A misdemeanor carries up to a year in jail (class A) and smaller fines; a felony carries prison time, from up to four years for a class E to ten to thirty years or life for a class A. The class also decides what the charge does to your record and your rights.
Source: RSMo 558.011 and 558.002
Will this show up on background checks?
A finding of guilt goes on your record. What can later be sealed depends on the charge and the outcome, which is one reason how the case ends matters more than how it started.
How soon is the first court date?
It depends on the court and on whether you were released on bond or a summons. Ted tells you on the first call what to expect in your court and what to bring.
The law this page cites
Read at its source on 2026-10-29.
Charged with a crime? Talk to Ted.
What happens next
Ted calls you back
Ted or his paralegal will call you back at the number you give. Have your paperwork near the phone if you can.
You talk through what happened
What you were charged with, where, and what the paperwork says. Ted tells you what the charge means and what comes first.
You decide
If it makes sense to work together, Ted explains the fee and what he does next. If not, you still leave knowing where you stand.
Rather talk than type? Call, and the office sets a time.