St. Louis defense firm says it steered client away from felony and immigration fallout

Combs Waterkotte says it resolved a St. Louis assault case for a client facing first-degree assault and witness tampering charges, avoiding prison, a felony conviction and immigration consequences. The deal came five days before trial and included bench probation on a misdemeanor that would not result in a conviction.

Why it matters: - A felony assault conviction in Missouri can bring prison time and long-term fallout. - For non-citizens, even a misdemeanor can carry immigration risks. - The case shows how a pretrial resolution can change both criminal and immigration exposure.

What happened: - Combs Waterkotte represented a client charged with Assault in the First Degree and Tampering with a Witness in St. Louis. - The firm says the client avoided prison time, a felony conviction, a criminal conviction and negative immigration consequences. - The resolution came five days before trial. - The State offered bench probation on a misdemeanor that would not result in a conviction.

The details: - The case number was 2522-CR02034-01. - Prosecutors alleged the client assaulted her husband’s paramour in an attempt to cause serious physical injury. - Prosecutors also alleged the client threatened the alleged victim and her family if the alleged victim contacted police. - Assault in the First Degree is a class B felony under Missouri law. - The charge can carry years in prison if a defendant is convicted. - The witness-tampering allegation increased the stakes in the case. - Combs Waterkotte said its investigation showed the incident was initially self-defense. - The defense continued preparing to challenge the State’s version of events as trial neared. - Chris Combs, managing partner at Combs Waterkotte, said the evidence did not support a serious felony conviction. - Combs said the resolution protected the client from prison time, a felony conviction and serious immigration consequences.

Between the lines: - The outcome suggests the defense had leverage on both the facts and the severity of the charges. - Immigration status can make plea negotiations more consequential than the criminal sentence alone. - A misdemeanor outcome without a conviction can be especially valuable for a non-citizen defendant.

What's next: - Combs Waterkotte says it continues to handle serious criminal defense matters across Missouri and Illinois. - The firm lists assault, domestic violence, weapons offenses, sex crimes, drug charges and federal criminal cases among its practice areas. - The client’s immediate risk of prison and felony conviction has been resolved through the pretrial deal.

The bottom line: - In this case, the defense says it turned a felony assault prosecution into a misdemeanor resolution that avoided prison and immigration damage.