St. Louis Criminal Defense Lawyers

A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by up to one year in the county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.00, or any combination thereof. Felonies, on the other hand, are more serious crimes which are punishable by more than one year in the Missouri Department of Corrections. If convicted of a felony, prison sentences can range anywhere from one year all the way up to a life sentence or the death penalty, depending on the classification of the felony.

A St. Louis criminal defense attorney at Henderson Law Group guides your case through the same core stages: arrest and bond hearing, then arraignment, where charges are formally read. Felony cases proceed to a preliminary hearing or grand jury indictment; City of St. Louis felonies are heard in the 22nd Judicial Circuit at Carnahan Courthouse, and St. Louis County felonies in Clayton. Most cases resolve through plea negotiation between your attorney and the prosecutor. If no agreement is reached, the case goes to trial before a judge or jury, followed by sentencing if convicted.

In most cases, yes. A St. Louis criminal defense attorney at Henderson Law Group can argue for your release at the initial bond hearing, which typically happens within 48 hours of arrest. Missouri courts may release you on your own recognizance, or require a cash or surety bond depending on the charge and your history. City detainees are held at the City Justice Center downtown; St. Louis County detainees are held at the Justice Center in Clayton. If the initial bond is set too high, your attorney can file a motion for bond reduction and argue for lower or non-monetary conditions.

The 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives every criminal defendant in a criminal proceeding the right not to testify. Additionally, if a defendant chooses not to testify, jurors will be told that they cannot infer guilt by the defendant’s choice to exercise his or her right to remain silent. A criminal defendant can testify if they choose to do so subject to certain ethical considerations. A skilled criminal defense attorney will advise the defendant of the pros and cons of testifying on his or her own behalf, but the choice is ultimately the defendant’s to make.

In most criminal cases, you will have the right to a jury trial. The U.S. Constitution gives a person accused of a crime punishable by a sentence longer than six months the right to be tried by a jury.

Yes. Generally, probation can be SES or SIS probation. For an in-depth discussion on this topic, please refer to our probation page.