About

About

St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office

Under Missouri law, the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) is responsible for prosecuting all state-level felonies and misdemeanors committed within the City of St Louis (22nd Judicial Circuit). 


When a crime is committed, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department makes an arrest and submits evidence of the crime to the CAO Warrant Office. An Assistant Circuit Attorney in the Warrant Office reviews the case and decides whether to submit charges, and if so what crimes to charge. If the CAO elects not to file charges, the person is released. 


If the person is charged with a misdemeanor, they must appear before a judge who will read the charges against them, to which they can plead guilty or not guilty. If they plead guilty, a judge will sentence them at a later date. If they plead not guilty, they will have a trial at which a jury or a judge will determine their innocence or their guilt and appropriate punishment.

If the person is charged with a felony, they must appear before a judge who will determine the conditions and dollar amount of their bond. An independent party – either a judge at a preliminary hearing or a grand jury – then reviews the charges to see whether there is probable cause to proceed with a trial. If not, the person is released. If so, a judge will read the charges against them, to which they can plead guilty or not guilty. If they plead guilty, the judge will sentence them at a later date. If they plead not guilty, they will have a trial at which a jury or a judge will determine their innocence or their guilt and appropriate punishment.


Every year, the CAO receives, reviews and charges thousands of cases including but not limited to homicide, violent crime, sex crimes, family violence, financial crimes (fraud, bad checks, delinquent City taxes), drug offenses, weapons offenses, property crimes, traffic violations, and unpaid child support.


The majority of the cases processed and resolved by the CAO are felonies. Most misdemeanors are handled by the St. Louis City Municipal Court. 

In addition to prosecuting crime, the CAO has a Victim Services Unit that provides support and resources for crime victims.


The Victim Services Unit collaborates with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to provide protection for those who have witnessed a crime and have agreed to testify in court.


The CAO has created programs designed to give certain individuals who have committed non-violent felonies the opportunity to avoid the consequences of traditional criminal prosecution including a trial, conviction, incarceration, and a felony conviction on their record. Instead of being assigned to a prosecutor, these cases are assigned to case managers. Individuals in diversion are required to complete programs designed to help them improve their lives and stay out of the criminal justice system.

Learn More About Victims Services

About Our Office

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) employs approximately 150 individuals working to promote the safety and well-being of the citizens of St. Louis, Missouri, including attorneys, investigators, victim rights advocates, diversion counselors, paralegals and support staff.


The CAO prosecutes state felony cases, represents the Missouri Department of Social Services regarding child support enforcement, and provides assistance to witnesses and victims of crime.


To accomplish its work, the CAO has several units and special programs.

  • Homicide Unit

    The Homicide Unit prosecutes all homicide cases.

  • Violent Crime Unit

    The Violent Crimes Unit is devoted to the prosecution of the most serious felonies.

  • Special Victims Unit

    The Special Victims Unit prosecutes all sexual assault and domestic violence cases. This unit also prosecutes all cases in which minors or individuals with special needs are victims of sexual or physical assault.

  • General Felonies Unit

    The General Felonies Unit handles a variety of cases, including arson, assault, drug crimes, burglary, robbery, stealing, and weapons offenses.

  • Misdemeanor Unit

    The Misdemeanor Unit prosecutes crimes, including  Class A through Class D misdemeanors. It also is responsible for conducting preliminary hearings, detention and bond review hearings, and probation revocation hearings. The Misdemeanor Unit also assists in issuing cases and presenting cases to the grand jury to determine probable cause.

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  • Financial and Civil Matters Unit

    The Financial and Civil Matters Unit responds to Sunshine Law requests, collects delinquent City business taxes, pursues bad check reimbursement, processes restitution payments, expungements and asset forfeiture, and conducts civil commitment hearings.

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  • Diversion Unit

    The CAO’s diversion programs give qualified individuals the opportunity to avoid the consequences of traditional criminal prosecution including a trial, conviction,  criminal record, and incarceration.

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  • Victim Services Unit

    The Victim Services Unit provides counseling, support, and assistance to victims of crime, and help in locating needed community resources.

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  • Child Support Unit

    The Child Support Unit establishes and enforces court-ordered child support in cases referred to the CAO by the Missouri Department of Social Services; the CAO does not initiate cases. The Child Support Unit may also establish paternity.

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  • Warrant Office

    The Warrant Office is responsible for reviewing police reports, issuing search warrants, and filing of criminal charges on all violations of state law committed in the City of St. Louis.

  • Investigators Unit

    The Investigators Unit is responsible for locating witnesses and gathering evidence to support prosecutions. 
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