1. Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson
Focus Area: Criminal defense with decades of experience and national reputation
Practice Areas: Federal crimes, state crimes, white-collar crimes, violent crimes, drug crimes, DWI, sex crimes
Background: At Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson, the attorneys have spent decades building, honing, and refining their legal skills. Respected by colleagues and feared by prosecutors throughout Missouri and Illinois, the firm is known for meticulous attention to detail, fierce approach, and relentless pursuit of promoting and furthering clients’ interests. The 20-attorney firm is led by seasoned criminal defense attorneys Scott Rosenblum, Joel Schwartz, and Matt Fry. The firm has earned a reputation as one of the criminal defense law firms in St. Louis, Missouri, and throughout the United States. Clients have praised the firm for delivering unbelievable results against impossible odds.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: (314) 862-4332 | https://rsflawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available; evening and weekend appointments available
2. The Hammer Law Firm, LLC
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 30+ years collective experience and Lead Panel Attorney distinction
Practice Areas: DWI, drug crimes, violent crimes, theft, assault, domestic violence, federal crimes
Background: With more than 30 years’ collective legal experience, the St. Louis criminal defense attorneys at The Hammer Law Firm, LLC are ready to provide skilled legal defense. Attorney Mark Hammer is “Lead Panel Attorney” for the Eastern District of Missouri’s Criminal Justice Act Program, retaining this distinction for the past three years. Attorney Nicole Chiravollatti serves as the Vice-President of the Board for the Lift for Life Gym in St. Louis, which serves at-risk inner-city youth. The firm provides tough representation for people facing tough criminal charges and is committed to pursuing justice for each client. The firm also produces “Premeditated,” a podcast providing insights into the inner workings of the criminal justice system.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: (314) 334-3807 | https://www.thehammerlawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available
3. Travis Noble, P.C.
Focus Area: Criminal defense with proven results in DWI and serious felony cases
Practice Areas: DWI, drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, assault, manslaughter, murder
Background: At Travis Noble, P.C., in St. Louis, Missouri, the team of dedicated criminal defense lawyers provides comprehensive representation and practical advice to help clients take on the prosecution. The firm is prepared to defend against any state or federal charge. The firm is one of the most prominent driving while intoxicated defense firms in St. Louis. The attorneys have collectively represented thousands of people in trouble with the law. They use modern technology as well as old-fashioned legal evaluation to investigate the evidence and create a defense strategy that will give clients the best chance of avoiding incarceration. As experienced litigators, they will argue on behalf of clients at trial if an outside settlement is not possible.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: (314) 721-6614 | https://www.travisnoble.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. JCS Law (John C. Schleiffarth, P.C.)
Focus Area: Criminal defense with focus on DWI and federal defense
Practice Areas: DWI, federal crimes, drug crimes, theft, assault, traffic offenses
Background: JCS Law is a St. Louis Missouri law firm that truly cares about people and how results affect their lives. The firm has achieved numerous successful outcomes, including DWI charges reduced to Careless Driving, DWI charges dismissed after successful depositions of police officers, and federal court cases resulting in probation with no prison or jail time. The attorneys are known for aggressive defense strategies, including deposing arresting officers and filing motions to suppress illegal stops. The firm has achieved dismissals and reduced charges in cases involving DWI drug intoxication, commercial CDL driver DWI, and federal stealing charges. The attorneys confront prosecuting attorneys with evidence of police officer perjury when discovered.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: (314) 561-9690 | https://jcsattorney.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Miller & Hine
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 24/7 availability and proven trial results
Practice Areas: DWI, drug crimes, assault, theft, domestic violence, violent crimes, federal crimes
Background: The criminal defense attorneys at Miller & Hine offer 24/7 free consultations to discuss criminal charges, bond, and pricing for representation. The St. Louis criminal defense lawyers work hard to protect clients’ rights and advocate on their behalf at every stage of the process. Depending on the facts and circumstances, it may be possible to reduce charges to a lesser offense or achieve complete dismissal. The firm regularly does jury trials throughout the Saint Louis area. If a loved one is in jail, the attorneys will visit them for no cost to conduct a criminal case evaluation. The firm emphasizes that there are only three ways to resolve a criminal case: dismissal, plea agreement, or trial.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: (314) 413-2053 | https://www.millerandhinelaw.com/
Consultation: Free 24/7 consultation available
Criminal Defense Laws in Missouri
Felony Classifications
Missouri classifies felonies into five classes:
Class A Felony: Includes first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree assault. Penalty is 10-30 years or life imprisonment.
Class B Felony: Includes voluntary manslaughter, first-degree burglary, and distribution of controlled substances. Penalty is 5-15 years in prison.
Class C Felony: Includes second-degree assault, second-degree robbery, and DWI (third offense). Penalty is 3-10 years in prison or up to 1 year in county jail.
Class D Felony: Includes stealing over $750, third-degree assault, and possession of controlled substances. Penalty is up to 7 years in prison or up to 1 year in county jail.
Class E Felony: Includes fourth-degree assault, property damage, and certain fraud offenses. Penalty is up to 4 years in prison.
Misdemeanor Classifications
Class A Misdemeanor: Includes DWI (first offense), stealing under $750, and fourth-degree assault. Maximum 1 year in county jail and $2,000 fine.
Class B Misdemeanor: Includes second-degree trespass, peace disturbance, and certain traffic offenses. Maximum 6 months in county jail and $1,000 fine.
Class C Misdemeanor: Includes third-degree assault by negligence and certain minor offenses. Maximum 15 days in county jail and $750 fine.
Class D Misdemeanor: Includes certain municipal ordinance violations. Fine only, maximum $500.
Infractions: Minor violations punishable by fine only.
Expungement
Missouri allows expungement of certain criminal records:
Eligible Offenses: Many misdemeanors and certain felonies can be expunged. Missouri has expanded expungement eligibility significantly in recent years.
Waiting Periods: 3 years for misdemeanors, 7 years for felonies (from completion of sentence).
Ineligible Offenses: Class A felonies, dangerous felonies, offenses requiring sex offender registration, and certain domestic assault convictions cannot be expunged.
Effect of Expungement: Expunged records are closed to the public, and the person can legally deny the arrest or conviction occurred.
DWI Laws
Missouri DWI applies to operating with BAC of .08% or higher (.04% commercial, .02% under 21). First offense is a Class B misdemeanor with up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine, and 30-day license suspension. Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with up to 1 year jail. Third offense is a Class D felony. Fourth and subsequent offenses are Class C felonies. Missouri has implied consent; refusal results in 1-year license revocation. Missouri also has a “persistent offender” and “aggravated offender” classification for repeat DWI offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between St. Louis City Circuit Court and St. Louis County Circuit Court?
St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate jurisdictions in Missouri with separate court systems. St. Louis City is an independent city (not part of any county) with its own Circuit Court at 10 North Tucker Boulevard. St. Louis County has its Circuit Court at 105 South Central Avenue in Clayton. Where your case is heard depends on where the alleged offense occurred. The two jurisdictions have different prosecutors (Circuit Attorney for the City, Prosecuting Attorney for the County) and different policies. A St. Louis criminal defense attorney familiar with both court systems can navigate these differences and advise which jurisdiction may offer more favorable outcomes.
What is a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) in Missouri?
A Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) is a form of probation in Missouri where the court withholds entering a judgment of conviction. If you successfully complete probation, you will not have a conviction on your record. The case can then be expunged. SIS is different from Suspended Execution of Sentence (SES), where you are convicted but the prison sentence is suspended while on probation. SIS is generally the more favorable outcome because it avoids a conviction. However, SIS is not available for all offenses and is at the court’s discretion. A St. Louis criminal defense attorney can negotiate for SIS as part of a plea agreement or argue for it at sentencing.
What happens at a preliminary hearing in Missouri?
In Missouri felony cases, a defendant has the right to a preliminary hearing within a reasonable time after arrest (usually within 10-20 days if in custody). At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor must present evidence showing probable cause that a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. The defendant can cross-examine witnesses and challenge the evidence. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is “bound over” for trial. If not, the case is dismissed (though the prosecutor can refile). Some defendants waive the preliminary hearing as part of plea negotiations. A St. Louis criminal defense attorney can advise whether to proceed with or waive the preliminary hearing based on your specific case.
What are the consequences of a felony conviction in Missouri?
A felony conviction in Missouri carries consequences beyond incarceration and fines. You lose the right to possess firearms under federal and Missouri law. You lose the right to vote while incarcerated and on probation or parole (restored upon completion). You may be ineligible for certain professional licenses and may face difficulty finding employment and housing. For non-citizens, felony convictions can result in deportation and inadmissibility. Some felonies can now be expunged in Missouri after the waiting period, but many serious felonies cannot. A St. Louis criminal defense attorney can evaluate strategies to avoid felony conviction or pursue expungement where eligible.
Can I get my Missouri criminal record expunged?
Missouri has significantly expanded expungement eligibility. Many misdemeanors can be expunged 3 years after completion of sentence, and many felonies can be expunged 7 years after completion of sentence. However, certain offenses cannot be expunged, including Class A felonies, dangerous felonies (such as murder, kidnapping, and first-degree assault), offenses requiring sex offender registration, and certain domestic assault convictions. There are also limits on how many offenses can be expunged. The petition must be filed in the court where the case was heard. A St. Louis criminal defense attorney can evaluate your record and file a petition to expunge eligible offenses.