Bentonville Felony Attorney

Former Prosecutor. Direct Representation. Focused on Criminal Defense.

A felony charge in Bentonville changes everything. The consequences reach far beyond the courtroom: prison time, a permanent record, lost rights, and barriers to employment and housing that can follow you for decades. I’m Cody W. Dowden, and I’ve spent over 15 years handling felony cases in Northwest Arkansas, including time as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney before turning exclusively to criminal defense. That background isn’t just a credential. It tells you exactly how I approach your case: I know how prosecutors build felony charges in Benton County Circuit Court, and I use that knowledge to defend against them.

When you hire me, you work with me directly. Not a paralegal. Not an associate. I’ve represented thousands of clients and tried hundreds of cases across the full range of serious felony offenses, including possession or delivery of a controlled substance, DWI fourth offense or higher, theft crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes (including rape), and certain traffic violations. Every client starts with a free, confidential consultation, no obligation to hire.

Facing a felony charge in Bentonville? Call (479) 777-0640 or contact me online to schedule your free, confidential consultation.

What a Felony Conviction Means in Arkansas

Felonies are distinguished from misdemeanors by one threshold: punishment of one year or more in prison. But the real weight of a conviction goes much further. It creates a permanent criminal record that can cost you your job, your professional licenses, your housing applications, and your right to legally possess a firearm. A felony conviction in Arkansas also strips you of voting rights. Those rights can be restored once you complete your sentence, including parole, probation, and payment of all applicable court costs, fines, and restitution, but restoration requires proof of completion submitted to your county clerk and re-registration to vote.

These collateral consequences are why early action matters. Getting an attorney involved before formal charges are filed, or at minimum before arraignment, gives your defense the most room to work. The further a case progresses without strategic intervention, the fewer options remain.

Felony Classifications in Arkansas

Arkansas classifies felonies by severity, and the class of your charge determines the sentencing range the prosecution is working with. Knowing where your charge falls shapes every decision in the case.

The felony classes in Arkansas and their sentencing ranges are:

• Capital Murder: life in prison or the death penalty
• Class Y: 10–40 years or life in prison (murder, rape, aggravated robbery)
• Class A: 6–30 years in prison, fines up to $15,000 (second-degree murder, certain drug offenses)
• Class B: 5–20 years in prison, fines up to $15,000 (residential burglary, certain theft offenses)
• Class C: 3–10 years in prison, fines up to $10,000 (lower-level drug and fraud offenses)
• Class D: up to 6 years in prison, fines up to $10,000 (least serious felony classification)
• Unclassified felony: sentence determined by the specific statute defining the offense

Repeat offenders face additional exposure under Arkansas habitual offender laws, which can significantly increase sentencing beyond the standard ranges above. A prior record isn’t background context the prosecution overlooks. It’s something they’ll use, and something I prepare for from the start.

How I Approach Felony Defense in Bentonville

My time as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney gave me a clear picture of how the state builds its cases. I know what evidence prosecutors prioritize, how they evaluate whether to pursue charges, and where cases tend to be weakest. I bring that perspective to the defense side to find the gaps in the state’s evidence before they close them.

Building the Defense Strategy

Every felony case I take follows a consistent structure. I begin by reviewing the full record of evidence against you, looking for constitutional violations, procedural errors, and factual weaknesses. Pre-trial motions, including challenges based on unlawful search and seizure, can resolve cases before they ever reach a jury. When negotiation makes sense, I work to reduce charges or penalties through direct talks with prosecutors. When trial is the right call, I’m prepared for it. I’ve tried hundreds of cases in Benton County and throughout Northwest Arkansas, and I can intervene early in investigations, including federal matters, to limit your exposure from the outset.

Recognition & Local Court Familiarity

I’ve been selected to Super Lawyers in 2024 and 2025, and previously to Rising Stars every year from 2017 through 2021. Those recognitions reflect years of work in courts where I know the judges, the clerks, and the procedures. What matters most to my clients, though, is honest communication and a detailed action plan, often within hours of our first call.

Why Clients Choose Cody W. Dowden, Attorney at Law for Felony Defense

There are a lot of attorneys who handle felony cases. Fewer of them have sat on the prosecution side of the table and built the same cases they now defend against. That background is the foundation of how I work, but it’s not the only reason clients trust me with serious charges in Benton County.

• Prosecutor-Turned-Defender: As a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, I understand exactly how the state builds a felony case and where those cases can be challenged.
• 15-Plus Years in Northwest Arkansas Courts: Practicing in Benton County for over 15 years means genuine familiarity with local judges, court staff, and the procedures that shape how cases move through the system.
• Direct Attorney Access: You work with me personally throughout your case. I don’t hand cases off, and I don’t disappear after the intake call.
• Detailed Action Plans Fast: I send clients a clear outline of next steps within hours of our initial conversation.
• Recognized by Super Lawyers: Selected in 2024 and 2025, and to Rising Stars from 2017 through 2021.
• Free, Confidential Consultation: No obligation to hire. No cost to talk through your situation.
• Affordable Fees and Payment Plans: I work to make strong representation accessible, not just available.

Contact a Felony Defense Attorney in Bentonville

A felony charge demands an immediate, focused response. The sooner you have an attorney reviewing your case, the more options are on the table. I offer a free, confidential consultation to anyone facing felony charges in Bentonville, Benton County, and throughout Northwest Arkansas. There’s no obligation, and what you share with me in that consultation is confidential.

Call (479) 777-0640 or contact Cody W. Dowden, Attorney at Law online to speak with a Bentonville felony defense attorney today.