Missouri Criminal Defense Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Missouri criminal defense attorneys who navigate the state’s Class A-E felony grading, persistent and dangerous offender enhancements, SIS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence) and SES (Suspended Execution of Sentence) dispositions, and recreational marijuana under Article XIV. Whether your case is in St. Louis County, Jackson (Kansas City), St. Charles, Greene (Springfield), Boone (Columbia), or anywhere across Missouri’s 114 counties plus St. Louis City, we’ll match you with the right attorney — at no cost to get started.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Missouri State Highway Patrol, Kansas City PD, St. Louis Metropolitan PD, county sheriffs, and city police use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights and Mo. Const. Art. I, § 19.

Yes. Missouri misdemeanors are graded as Class A (up to 1 year, $2,000), B (up to 6 months, $1,000), C (up to 15 days, $750), D (no jail, $500) under R.S.Mo. § 558.011. SIS / SES dispositions and pretrial diversion can result in no conviction or dismissal. DV and DWI convictions trigger major collateral consequences.

State cases go through Missouri Circuit Court (felonies) or Associate Circuit Court (misdemeanors and lesser felonies). Federal cases go to U.S. District Court for the Eastern (St. Louis, Cape Girardeau) or Western (Kansas City, Jefferson City, Springfield, Joplin) District of Missouri under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Federal cases commonly involve I-70 / I-44 / I-35 drug trafficking, § 922(g) firearm cases, and federal fraud.

Missouri plea agreements under Mo. R. Crim. P. 24 are negotiated between the Prosecuting Attorney and defense. Pleas can include charge reductions, SIS (no conviction entered upon completion) or SES (conviction entered but sentence suspended), drug court entry, treatment court entry, and stipulated sentence recommendations.

Yes — R.S.Mo. § 610.140 was significantly expanded in 2018. Most misdemeanors expungeable after 3 years post-completion of probation/sentence. Many felonies expungeable after 7 years. Multiple convictions can be expunged (limit: 2 felonies and unlimited misdemeanors total). Marijuana possession convictions are subject to expungement under Amendment 3. Many serious offenses (Class A felonies, sex offenses, DV) excluded.

Missouri handles juveniles under 18 in juvenile court under R.S.Mo. § 211.011 et seq. (Raise the Age effective January 1, 2021 expanded juvenile jurisdiction to include 17-year-olds for most offenses.) Juvenile records are confidential. Certification to adult court for juveniles 12+ for serious felonies under R.S.Mo. § 211.071.

Missouri DWI under R.S.Mo. § 577.010 uses .08 BAC (.04 commercial, .02 under-21). Implied consent under § 577.020 — refusal triggers 1-year administrative license revocation. Mandatory IID under § 577.600 for repeat offenders. Persistent Offender (3rd DWI) is a Class E felony; Chronic Offender (4th+) is Class D felony.

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Missouri?

Missouri grades felonies as Class A (10-30 years or life), Class B (5-15 years), Class C (3-10 years), Class D (up to 7 years), and Class E (up to 4 years) under R.S.Mo. § 558.011. First-degree murder carries mandatory life without parole or death (Missouri retains death penalty). Missouri uses presumptive Probation and a Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS, R.S.Mo. § 557.011) or Suspended Execution of Sentence (SES) framework — SIS is uniquely valuable as no conviction is entered upon successful completion. Missouri legalized recreational marijuana in November 2022 (Amendment 3, codified as Mo. Const. Art. XIV) — adults 21+ can possess up to 3 oz; medical cannabis legalized 2018. Amendment 3 also provided for expungement of many prior marijuana convictions, with petitions filed through 2024 deadlines (and ongoing). Missouri persistent offender (R.S.Mo. § 558.016) and dangerous offender enhancements add to maximum sentences. Missouri’s expungement statute under R.S.Mo. § 610.140 was substantially expanded in 2018 — most misdemeanors after 3 years and many felonies after 7 years. Missouri prosecutors (county/circuit prosecuting attorneys) plea-bargain extensively.

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Missouri?

Our network includes Missouri criminal defense attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri

From the moment you connect with a Missouri criminal defense attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Talking to MSHP, KCPD, St. Louis Metro PD, sheriffs, or any Missouri officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search of your car, home, or phone

Missing a Missouri court date — bench warrants and bond forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Missouri prosecutors subpoena platforms

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with Physical Evidence (R.S.Mo. § 575.100) is a Class E felony

Accepting the prosecutor’s first plea offer without exploring SIS, SES, drug court, or charge reduction

Talking to MSHP, KCPD, St. Louis Metro PD, sheriffs, or any Missouri officer without an attorney

Consenting to a search of your car, home, or phone

Missing a Missouri court date — bench warrants and bond forfeiture follow

Posting about the case on social media — Missouri prosecutors subpoena platforms

Deleting messages or photos from your phone — Tampering with Physical Evidence (R.S.Mo. § 575.100) is a Class E felony

Accepting the prosecutor’s first plea offer without exploring SIS, SES, drug court, or charge reduction

Common Missouri Criminal Defense Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Missouri Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

Flat Fee

Most matters are billed as a flat fee per petition or filing — fee depends on case complexity.

Criminal defense attorneys in Missouri work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Mo. R. Prof. Conduct 4-1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Missouri State Public Defender represents indigent defendants statewide.

What Can Your Missouri Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

Charge Dismissal

Outright dismissal through motion to suppress, motion to dismiss for insufficient probable cause, speedy trial under Mo. R. Crim. P. 32.01 / R.S.Mo. § 545.780 (180-day rule), or prosecutor nolle prosequi.

Charge Reduction

Reduction from felony to misdemeanor, from higher Class felony to lower Class, removal of persistent or dangerous offender allegations.

Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) / SES

SIS under R.S.Mo. § 557.011 — court accepts guilty plea but does not enter judgment; successful probation = no conviction. SES — conviction entered but sentence suspended pending probation. Drug court, treatment court, veterans court available.

Plea Agreement

Negotiated resolution under Mo. R. Crim. P. 24. Includes charge reductions, dismissed counts, recommended sentences, and probation in lieu of incarceration.

Trial Acquittal

Not guilty verdict by Missouri jury or judge. Missouri criminal juries are 12 for felonies, 6 for misdemeanors and Associate Circuit Court matters, and must be unanimous (Mo. Const. Art. I, § 22(a)).

Post-Conviction Relief

Missouri Rule 24.035 (post-plea, 180-day filing) and Rule 29.15 (post-trial, 180-day filing). State habeas corpus (Mo. R. Crim. P. 91). Successor motions restricted.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Missouri Criminal Defense Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Missouri?

When Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Missouri?

Types of Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri

Common Missouri Criminal Defense Mistakes

How Much Do Missouri Criminal Defense Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Missouri Criminal Defense Compensation Include?

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