Criminal Defense Attorneys in St. Louis, MO

Arrested in St. Louis? City prosecutors move fast, and your defense should too. A Missouri-licensed criminal defense attorney serving St. Louis will review your case and your options with you for free.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with a Missouri attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free St. Louis criminal defense case review

A Missouri attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

By submitting, you agree that DearLegal and the attorneys or law firms we connect you with may contact you by phone and email about your inquiry, including by automated technology.

DearLegal is not a law firm and will not provide legal advice. DearLegal connects users to licensed attorneys.

How we match your St. Louis criminal defense case

When you submit a St. Louis criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Missouri law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Missouri who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Start my free case review How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Criminal Defense cases in St. Louis

More about legal help in St. Louis →

Criminal cases in St. Louis range from DUI stops on the interstates and traffic offenses to drug possession, weapons charges, and assault cases handled by city police. Charges arising in the city are prosecuted in City of St. Louis courts, which operate separately from St. Louis County and have their own prosecutors and practices. Bail, diversion, and plea options vary by court. DearLegal matches you with a Missouri-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in St. Louis, and the first review of your charges is free.

Charges arising inside city limits are prosecuted in City of St. Louis courts, not the county.
DUI and traffic stops on I-64, I-44, I-55, and I-70 generate many local arrests.
St. Louis city and county prosecutors handle cases differently, so knowing which applies matters.

Missouri criminal defense rules at a glance

St. Louis cases run under Missouri law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Missouri page.

Read the full Missouri criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for murder, attempted murder, and forcible sexual offenses; 3 years for most felonies; 1 year for misdemeanors (R.S.Mo. § 556.036)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 1 year
1 year for most misdemeanors (R.S.Mo. § 556.036(2)(3))
Sentencing Structure: Class A-E
Class A-E felony grading under R.S.Mo. § 558.011 (since 2017 reforms); SIS / SES dispositions under § 557.011; persistent and dangerous offender enhancements (§ 558.016)
Expungement / Record Sealing: 3 years
R.S.Mo. § 610.140 — broad eligibility (2018 expansion); most misdemeanors after 3 years and many felonies after 7 years post-completion; Amendment 3 marijuana expungement
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under Mo. R. Crim. P. 22.07; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Mo. Const. Art. I, § 20); pretrial risk assessment encouraged after 2018 rule changes
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do St. Louis criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Missouri · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Missouri are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

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.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

St. Louis criminal defense questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Missouri attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

It depends on where the alleged offense occurred. Inside city limits means City of St. Louis courts; in the suburbs means St. Louis County. The two systems have different prosecutors and practices. An attorney will determine which applies and explain what to expect.

Missouri can suspend your license administratively after a DUI arrest, separate from the criminal case, and the window to request a hearing is short. An attorney can challenge the suspension and the criminal charge together, reviewing the stop and the testing procedures.

Sometimes. Diversion programs and plea reductions may be available depending on the charge and your history. City prosecutors handle these requests through their own process. A defense attorney who regularly appears in City of St. Louis courts can pursue the best option.

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.