A criminal charge can threaten everything you have worked for. Your job, your freedom, your reputation, and your family’s stability can all be on the line the moment an arrest is made or charges are filed. What happens next depends in large part on who is standing beside you.
At Bruntrager & Billings, P.C., criminal defense is not a sideline practice. Our attorneys are former prosecutors who spent years on the other side of the courtroom learning exactly how the government builds its cases. That experience gives us an insight into prosecutorial strategy that most defense lawyers simply do not have. We know the tactics, we know the courts, and we know how to fight back effectively.
Our St. Louis criminal defense attorneys have been representing clients across the city and county for over 65 years, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you. Never wait to contact us after an arrest or if you are under investigation.
A Former Prosecutor’s Perspective Makes the Difference
When you are facing criminal charges, you want a defense attorney who understands the prosecution’s playbook as well as their own. The attorneys at Bruntrager & Billings have served as prosecutors in the St. Louis region, giving us an inside understanding of how charging decisions are made, how cases are built for trial, and where the weaknesses in a government case are most likely to be found.
That background directly benefits our clients. We know when a case is overcharged, when evidence is unlikely to hold up under scrutiny, and when a negotiated resolution is genuinely in a client’s best interest versus when taking a case to trial is the right move. This is not knowledge you develop from reading case law. It comes from years of standing on the other side of the courtroom.
We Know the St. Louis Court System Where Your Case Will Be Heard
One of the most important things to understand about criminal defense in St. Louis is that the court system is fragmented in ways that surprise many people. Where your case is heard depends on where the alleged offense occurred, what you are charged with, and whether your matter involves a municipality, the county, or the state.
The Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis handles felony and misdemeanor cases arising within the city limits. This court, located at 10 N. Tucker Boulevard, operates independently from St. Louis County and has its own judges, prosecutors, and procedures.
The St. Louis County Circuit Court in Clayton handles criminal matters arising throughout unincorporated county areas and in many of the county’s municipalities. DWI cases, drug charges, assaults, and other criminal matters from communities across the county funnel through this courthouse.
Municipal Courts are a significant and often overlooked part of the St. Louis area criminal process. St. Louis County alone has over 80 municipalities, many of which operate their own municipal courts handling traffic violations, minor ordinance violations, and some misdemeanor-level offenses.
Communities including Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood, Maplewood, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and University City each have their own municipal court systems with distinct procedures and local ordinances. Addressing cases in these courts effectively requires familiarity with each municipality’s processes, and our attorneys have that familiarity.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, headquartered in St. Louis, handles federal criminal cases. When charges involve federal drug trafficking, mail fraud, wire fraud, or other federal offenses, a different legal framework applies entirely, one that requires specific federal court experience.
Law Enforcement in St. Louis: Who Investigated Your Case Matters
The agency that investigated and arrested you plays a meaningful role in your defense. Different departments have different procedures, different documentation standards, and different vulnerabilities in how they handle evidence and conduct stops and searches. Our criminal defense attorneys are familiar with the practices of the agencies most likely to be involved in your case, including:
- The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), which handles criminal enforcement within the city limits and is often involved in felony investigations, drug task force operations, and violent crime cases.
- The St. Louis County Police Department, which serves unincorporated county areas and operates several specialized units including narcotics, crimes against persons, and DWI enforcement.
- Municipal police departments across St. Louis County, from larger departments like those in Florissant and Chesterfield to smaller departments in municipalities that have historically been scrutinized for traffic enforcement practices. The Ferguson Police Department, for instance, operates under a federal consent decree that has specific implications for how officers are required to conduct stops and document interactions.
- The Missouri State Highway Patrol, which frequently handles DWI arrests on state highways and interstates throughout the region and conducts its own drug interdiction operations.
Identifying which agency made the arrest, how they conducted their investigation, and whether proper procedures were followed is often the starting point for building a strong defense.
Understanding Criminal Charges in St. Louis
Being charged with a crime is an overwhelming experience. It is important to know what charges you are facing and what the possible outcomes are. To help you find your way through this, our team of criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis:
Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor conviction is not minor. It creates a permanent criminal record that can affect employment, professional licensing, housing applications, and firearm rights. We work to achieve dismissals, reductions, and diversion outcomes that protect our clients from the long-term consequences of a conviction.
Felonies
Assault, robbery, weapons offenses, and other felonies carry potential sentences of years in prison and consequences that last a lifetime. Our attorneys have tried felony cases in St. Louis courts, and we bring full trial capability to every serious case we take.
DUI/DWI
Missouri takes driving while intoxicated seriously. A first-offense DWI under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 577.010 can result in license revocation, fines, and jail time. A second or subsequent offense carries significantly harsher penalties. We challenge the lawfulness of traffic stops, the administration and reliability of field sobriety tests, and the accuracy of breathalyzer and blood test results. The outcome of a DWI charge can hinge on procedural details, and we examine every one of them.
Drug Offenses
Missouri drug charges range from simple possession to distribution and trafficking, with penalties that escalate significantly based on the substance and the quantity involved. We scrutinize the circumstances of every search and seizure for constitutional violations and challenge the reliability of informants and undercover operations where applicable.
Violent Crimes
Homicide, manslaughter, domestic assault, and other violent crime charges demand the highest level of defense preparation and courtroom advocacy. We have the experience and the trial record to handle the most serious charges in the St. Louis court system.
White Collar Crimes
Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and related financial crimes are vigorously prosecuted both at the state and federal levels. These cases typically involve complex financial records and require attorneys who understand both criminal law and forensic financial evidence.
Juvenile Matters
The juvenile justice system in Missouri operates under different standards and offers different outcomes than adult criminal court. When a young person faces delinquency charges, having an attorney who understands the juvenile court process and its range of dispositions can make a lasting difference in a young life.
How We Build Your Defense
What happens in the days immediately following an arrest matters enormously. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can become harder to locate, and critical decisions about whether to cooperate with investigators need to be made carefully. We advise clients on how to protect their rights from the moment they contact us.
Thorough Case Review
We obtain and review every piece of relevant documentation, including police reports, arrest records, body camera footage, dash camera video, search warrant applications, lab results, and witness statements. We identify inconsistencies, procedural errors, and constitutional issues that may form the basis for suppression motions or other pretrial challenges.
Strategic Defense Planning
No two cases are the same, and no defense strategy should be either. Some cases call for aggressive motions practice to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence. Others call for skilled negotiation with prosecutors to achieve a reduction or diversion. Still others require preparing for trial and presenting a compelling case to a jury. We develop a strategy tailored to the specific facts and circumstances of your situation and keep you informed at every step.
Courtroom Advocacy
When a case goes to trial, preparation and courtroom experience determine outcomes. Our attorneys have tried cases before judges and juries throughout the St. Louis area and bring a level of advocacy that comes only from years of actual trial experience, both as prosecutors and as defense attorneys.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Team in St. Louis
A criminal charge does not resolve itself, and the decisions made early can shape everything that follows. How evidence is handled, what is said to investigators, and how your defense is built all matter from the start.
At Bruntrager & Billings, we approach every case with a clear understanding of how the prosecution works because we have been on that side. We identify weaknesses, challenge the evidence, and build a defense strategy based on the specific facts of your case, not assumptions.
Your consultation is free and confidential. If you are facing charges or under investigation in St. Louis, speaking with an experienced defense attorney now can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.
Contact our office today to discuss your situation.
Don’t let a criminal accusation ruin your future.
Schedule a free consultation today.
FAQs
What should I do if I am arrested in St. Louis?
Invoke your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney immediately. Do not answer questions from law enforcement, even if you believe you can explain the situation. Contact Bruntrager & Billings as soon as you are able, and we will advise you on the next steps.
Can criminal charges be expunged in Missouri?
Missouri does allow expungement of certain criminal records under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.140. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since the conviction, and whether all conditions of the sentence have been satisfied. Our attorneys can evaluate whether expungement may be an option for you.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
Missouri classifies misdemeanors into four classes (A through D) with maximum jail terms ranging from 15 days to one year. Felonies are classified into five classes (A through E and unclassified) with potential sentences ranging from four years to life imprisonment or the death penalty for the most serious offenses. Even a misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent record, which is why having legal representation at any level matters.
What should I expect during the criminal defense process?
The criminal defense process typically involves several stages, including arrest, arraignment, pre-trial motions, plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing. Our attorneys will guide you through each step, providing you with clear explanations and keeping you informed about the progress of your case. We are committed to ensuring that you understand your rights and options at every stage.
How does the municipal court system work in St. Louis County?
Municipal courts in St. Louis County handle ordinance violations and some traffic and misdemeanor matters. Fines and warrants from municipal courts can have serious consequences if left unresolved, including driver’s license suspension and arrest warrants. We regularly appear in municipal courts throughout the county.
How soon should I contact a criminal defense attorneys after being charged?
You should contact a criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible after being charged. Early intervention by an attorneys can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Prompt legal representation ensures that your rights are protected from the outset and that a strong defense strategy is developed immediately.
What should I bring to my initial consultation with a criminal defense attorneys?
For your initial consultation, bring any documents related to your case, such as the arrest report, court summons, and any correspondence from law enforcement or the prosecution. Providing as much information as possible will help our attorneys assess your case and develop an effective defense strategy.