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Missouri Criminal Defense

If you have committed a crime in Missouri, are suspected of committing a crime in Missouri or have been accused of committing a crime in Missouri, the government may prosecute you. If found guilty, you could face punishment ranging from relatively minor (a small fine, for example) to very severe (such as prison time).

The Missouri government, as well as town and city governments, is responsible for enforcing Missouri criminal law. The federal government enforces federal criminal law.

According to Wikipedia:


Types of Crimes in Missouri

Crimes are generally categorized as felonies or misdemeanors. A felony is a more serious crime that is punishable by more than one year in prison. A misdemeanor is punishable by one year or less in prison, or no prison time at all.

Certain crimes may be both felonies and misdemeanors, depending on the severity of the crime and/or whether you have previously been found guilty of the same crime.

Examples of Missouri felonies may include:

Examples of Missouri misdemeanors may include:

If you have been charged with a crime in Missouri, a local Missouri criminal defense attorney can explain the potential consequences of the crime and help defend you in court.

The Missouri Criminal Process


  • Missouri state law enforcement officials or local law enforcement investigate the crime
  • A Missouri judge may issue a search warrant that allows investigators to search for evidence at a specific location
  • Law enforcement officers will decide to file criminal charges against the person suspected of committing the crime
  • Before trial, the defendant's Missouri criminal defense attorney may attempt to negotiate a plea bargain, or agreement for the defendant to plead guilty to lesser charges
  • If the defendant is found guilty, he or she may choose to appeal the decision, and ask a higher Missouri court to overturn it because of mistakes made during the criminal justice process

If you are found guilty of a crime in Missouri, the punishment may vary depending on the severity of the crime, your intentions when you committed the crime and your past criminal record. A Missouri criminal defense lawyer can explain the consequences to you in more detail.

Additional Missouri Criminal Law Resources

The U.S. Department of Justice's information on federal criminal law

Information about expungement of criminal records in Missouri

Information about the U.S. Courts

The criminal court process in Missouri information about classification of crimes

The basics of criminal law

How to hire a criminal attorney