Hi <<Goes By Name>>,
If you’ve been formally charged with a crime in Missouri — whether by summons or warrant — your case is now in the court system. The steps that follow are critical, and each one can affect your rights, your release, and your long-term outcome.
Here’s what typically happens next under Missouri law:
1. First Appearance and Bond Hearing
Once charges are filed, your first court appearance will be scheduled. At that hearing, a judge will:
Inform you of the charges
Advise you of your rights
Set bond and conditions of release, if you are in custody or have an active warrant
2. Probable Cause Review (Felony Cases Only)
In felony cases, the court must determine whether there’s enough evidence for the case to proceed. This is done through:
3. Arraignment
If the case moves forward, the next step is an arraignment, where:
Legal Representation Matters at Every Step
