Criminal Defense

Photo: Jimmy Hu, Unsplash

Have you been charged with a crime?

Being charged with a crime can leave you afraid and confused. Your freedom, your driver’s license, your job and your record may all be at stake. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police or the prosecutor. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, so use them.

We defend clients in state and municipal courts in St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.

DWI

No one ever says, “I’m going to drink and drive tonight,” but sometimes things don’t go the way you planned. A Missouri DWI arrest starts two separate cases:

• The criminal case in court, which can bring fines, jail and a conviction on your record.
• The license case with the Missouri Department of Revenue. You have 15 days from the date you received the Notice of Suspension/Revocation (Form 2385) to request an administrative hearing, or the suspension takes effect automatically. Refusing a chemical test brings a separate revocation with its own short deadline to challenge it in court.

Call right away so we can protect both deadlines.

Felonies and misdemeanors

Missouri classifies felonies from Class A through Class E and misdemeanors from Class A through Class D. We defend clients at every stage, from the first appearance and bond through discovery, motions, plea negotiations and trial.

Common charges we handle include drug offenses, theft and property crimes, assault, and weapons charges. Every case turns on its details, and we examine the evidence, the stop or search, and the charging decision before we recommend a path forward.

Traffic tickets

A traffic ticket in Missouri affects more than your wallet. The state assigns points to your driving record, and too many points in a short period can suspend or revoke your license. Insurance companies keep their own point systems, so even a common speeding ticket can raise your rates. We review your ticket and driving record and explain your options for resolving it.

Probation violations

A probation violation report can put the original sentence back on the table. You have the right to a hearing, and what happens at that hearing matters. We help clients respond to violation reports and present the reasons probation should continue.

Expungement

Missouri law allows many old convictions and arrests to be expunged, or closed from public view. For most eligible offenses, you must wait three years after completing your sentence for a felony, or one year for a misdemeanor, municipal offense or infraction, and you must have paid all fines and completed probation or parole. Some offenses can never be expunged, including Class A felonies and offenses that require sex offender registration. We review your record, confirm eligibility, and file the petition.

Free consultation

Your first consultation is free. Depending on the case, we work on a flat fee or an hourly rate, and we explain the cost before we start. Call (314) 498-5005 or use our contact form, and we will return your message within 24 hours. Hablamos español. If you have a court date, have your ticket, summons or bond paperwork in hand when you call.