Stone County, MO Felony Defense

Aggressive, Experienced Felony Defense from a Former Prosecutor Who Knows the System

If you or someone you love is facing felony charges in Stone County, Missouri, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A felony conviction can change your life forever. Your job, your family, your reputation, and your freedom are all on the line. The difference between a conviction and a second chance often comes down to the attorney standing beside you in court.

At Scrivner Law Firm, we don’t take that responsibility lightly.

Our firm is led by Dayrell Scrivner, a criminal defense attorney with more than two decades of legal experience, including years spent serving as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor for Stone County. Having prosecuted cases in the same courts where we now defend clients, Mr. Scrivner brings a rare and invaluable perspective to every case. He knows how the prosecution thinks—because he was the prosecution. That experience is what sets our firm apart when defending clients charged with serious felonies in Galena, Branson West, Crane, Kimberling City, and beyond.

Though our main office is located in Branson, Missouri, we regularly represent clients in Stone County. We maintain strong ties to the area and are deeply familiar with its courts, judges, law enforcement officers, and procedures. If you are accused of a felony in Stone County, you need an attorney who knows how this system works. We do—because we’ve worked inside it.

Understanding Felony Charges in Missouri

Missouri classifies felonies into five categories, ranging from Class E (least serious) to Class A (most serious). Some offenses are unclassified felonies and carry their own sentencing schemes, such as murder or certain sex offenses. The potential punishments for felony convictions include years or even decades in prison, substantial fines, loss of voting rights, loss of the right to possess firearms, and mandatory sex offender registration in some cases.

In Stone County, felony prosecutions are handled by the Stone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, located in Galena. Many felony cases begin with an arrest and preliminary hearing, after which the case proceeds through the circuit court system. A skilled defense attorney will work to intervene early—potentially even before charges are filed—to negotiate for lesser charges, diversion, or a dismissal where appropriate.

Types of Felony Cases We Defend

Felony cases in Stone County come in many forms, but no matter the charge, we provide unwavering, informed, and strategic defense. Below is a closer look at the types of felonies we handle:

Violent Felonies

Violent crimes are some of the most aggressively prosecuted offenses in Missouri. This category includes charges such as first- and second-degree assault, robbery, manslaughter, and homicide.

These cases often hinge on conflicting witness statements, alleged motives, self-defense claims, and forensic evidence. We leave no stone unturned when investigating the circumstances surrounding the allegations. Our firm has defended clients accused of serious violent crimes by using self-defense arguments, challenging the credibility of witnesses, and exposing procedural errors during the investigation or arrest. Because of Dayrell Scrivner’s background as a former prosecutor in Stone County, he knows what evidence the state will rely on—and how to attack it.

Drug Felonies

Drug cases in Stone County run the gamut from possession of controlled substances to trafficking or manufacturing charges. Common substances include methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and prescription drugs obtained or distributed illegally.

Missouri’s drug laws are complex and often harsh. For example, possession of a controlled substance—even a small amount—can be charged as a Class D felony. More serious offenses such as drug trafficking carry mandatory minimum prison sentences.

Many drug cases can be challenged on the basis of unlawful searches or seizures. If law enforcement officers violated your Fourth Amendment rights when conducting a traffic stop, executing a warrant, or searching your home, the evidence they obtained may be suppressed. Our firm scrutinizes every step of the investigation for constitutional violations that may lead to a dismissal or reduction in charges.

Sex Offenses

Few charges carry more stigma—or more devastating consequences—than felony sex offenses. These include charges such as rape, sexual assault, child molestation, and possession or distribution of child pornography.

Many of these cases hinge on a single accusation with no physical evidence, yet the penalties are among the harshest in Missouri law. A conviction can mean not only prison time, but also lifetime sex offender registration, social exclusion, and difficulty securing housing or employment.

Defending against these charges requires skill, discretion, and sensitivity. We handle these matters with the utmost confidentiality, challenging witness credibility, exploring issues of mistaken identity, and emphasizing the presumption of innocence. We have successfully defended clients accused of sex crimes by exposing false allegations, unreliable testimony, and procedural missteps.

Theft and Property Crimes

Felony property offenses include burglary, stealing, forgery, arson, and damage to property over a certain dollar amount. In Missouri, the value of the item(s) involved can elevate a charge from a misdemeanor to a felony.

We work with clients to analyze the facts of the case, verify valuations, and challenge key elements such as intent or possession. For example, in burglary cases, it’s not enough for the prosecution to prove that you were inside a building—they must prove you entered unlawfully and with the intent to commit a crime. These nuances are often misunderstood or oversimplified by the state.

We also negotiate restitution-focused outcomes when possible, especially for first-time offenders. The goal is always to protect your record and your future.

White Collar and Fraud Crimes

Not all felonies involve violence or drugs. White collar crimes such as embezzlement, credit card fraud, identity theft, and securities fraud, can result in long prison sentences and significant financial penalties.

Our firm has experience navigating the complex paper trails and digital evidence common in these cases. We work with forensic accountants, technology experts, and investigators to identify gaps in the prosecution’s case, especially in cases based on circumstantial or incomplete financial evidence. These cases often require early and aggressive intervention to prevent formal charges from being filed.

Why Choose Scrivner Law Firm?

We don’t just understand the law—we understand Stone County. Our attorney, Dayrell Scrivner, served as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Stone County for more than a decade. He handled hundreds of felony prosecutions and supervised complex criminal litigation from the state’s perspective. That experience now benefits the clients we defend.

We know the local judges, prosecutors, and court staff. We know how cases are filed, how plea deals are structured, and how trials unfold in Stone County. While many defense lawyers advertise general experience, very few can claim the deep, personal understanding of this county’s legal culture that we possess.

Our firm has built a reputation for integrity, precision, and tenacity. We are not afraid to take a case to trial when justice demands it, but we also know when and how to pursue strategic plea agreements. We communicate clearly, respond promptly, and prepare thoroughly for every court appearance.

Early Action Matters

Many clients don’t realize that your best chance to beat a felony charge often comes before the prosecutor files it. If you believe you’re under investigation or have been contacted by law enforcement, contact us immediately. We can often engage with the prosecutor’s office early, provide exculpatory evidence, and sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all.

Even if you’ve already been arrested or charged, acting quickly allows us to preserve evidence, secure witnesses, and start building your defense while memories are still fresh.

A Local Firm with Regional Reach

Though our main office is based in Branson, we regularly represent clients throughout Southwest Missouri, including in Stone County. Branson and Galena are only about 20 miles apart, and our roots in both communities run deep. We’ve defended clients in Stone County for years and are proud to offer personalized, local service with a regional reach.

Whether you live in Reeds Spring, Blue Eye, Indian Point, or the heart of Branson West, our firm is ready to help you fight back against felony allegations and take back control of your life.

Take the First Step Toward a Strong Defense

If you are facing felony charges in Stone County, Missouri, now is the time to act. Don’t wait for the prosecution to build its case. Contact Scrivner Law Firm today and schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Dayrell Scrivner.

We will review the facts of your case, explain your rights and options, and begin the process of building a strong, aggressive defense.

Call us at (417) 699-0074 or visit our office in Branson to speak with us in person.

You don’t have to face this fight alone. Let Scrivner Law Firm stand with you, because your future matters.

CLIENT REVIEWS

Scrivner Law is amazing. They helped and answered every single question my wife and I had. They gave us advise on other cases as well. They are always so very easy to get...

Nicholas Missouri

Dayrell is easy to connect with and you can tell that he enjoys what he does! He seems truly invested in his clients and helped me understand soo many things. When you...

Casey Missouri

Very happy with all the help that Scrivner Law firm did for our case.Super nice. Explained all the steps of our case until it was finished.While we were on vacation we...

S S Missouri

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Please note that our law firm's address is for mail correspondence only. We do not accept in-office visits to this location. To schedule an appointment or consult with an attorney, please contact us via phone or email. Our contact information is readily available on our website. We look forward to hearing from you and strive to supply efficient and accessible legal services to our clients.

Branson Office
1440 State Hwy 248
Ste Q, #451

Branson, MO 65616

Phone: (417) 699-0074 Fax: (417) 429-2159

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