St. Louis City Circuit Court

About the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court

The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court serves the City of St. Louis and handles both criminal and civil matters. The circuit court is Missouri’s trial court of general jurisdiction, meaning it has authority over criminal charges, civil disputes, family law matters, and appeals from St. Louis City Municipal Court.

The court system includes multiple divisions:

• Criminal Division
• Civil Division
• Family Court
• Juvenile Division
• Municipal Division

If facing criminal charges, the case will be assigned to either the Criminal Division or the Municipal Division.

Court Locations

The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court operates from several locations in downtown St. Louis:

Clyde S. Cahill Courts Building

Address: 10 North Tucker Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63101

Main Phone: (314) 622-4500

The Clyde S. Cahill Courts Building (renamed in December 2024, formerly the Civil Courts Building) houses most of the circuit court’s operations, including many criminal courtrooms, the Circuit Clerk’s office, and administrative offices. This historic building is located in downtown St. Louis near the Gateway Arch. More information: stlcitycircuitcourt.com

Mel Carnahan Courthouse

Address: 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101

The Mel Carnahan Courthouse houses additional courtrooms and judicial offices. Many criminal cases are heard in this building, which is located directly across the street from the Clyde S. Cahill Courts Building. More information: stlcitycircuitcourt.com

St. Louis City Municipal Court

Address: 1520 Market Street, Suite #1120, St. Louis, MO 63103 (in the Abrams Building)

Phone: (314) 622-3231

The Municipal Division handles traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and certain misdemeanor charges. More information: stlouis-mo.gov/municipal-courts

Parking and Transportation

Downtown St. Louis has several parking options near the courthouses:

• Justice Center Garage – 1115 Clark Avenue (behind the courthouses). $4.00 per hour for the first hour, $2.00 per hour after that.
• Kiel Center Garage – 1515 Clark Avenue (validated free parking available for jurors)
• Metered street parking (limited availability)

MetroLink: For those using public transportation, the Civic Center MetroLink Station is located at Tucker Boulevard and Clark Avenue, within walking distance of the Clyde S. Cahill Courts Building and the Mel Carnahan Courthouse.

Please note: The Municipal Court in the Abrams Building is located further up Market Street and may have different nearby parking options. Validated parking is available at the Enterprise Center garage on the northeast corner of Clark and 16th Street. Plan to arrive early for court appearances, as parking can be challenging and security screening takes time.

Types of Criminal Cases Handled

The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court handles all criminal offenses committed within St. Louis City limits, including:

Felony Charges

Felony cases in St. Louis City are prosecuted by the Circuit Attorney’s Office and heard in the Criminal Division. Common felony charges include:

• Drug trafficking and distribution
• Robbery and burglary
• Assault in the First and Second Degree
• Domestic Assault in the First and Second Degree
• Murder and manslaughter
• Sex crimes
• Weapons offenses
• White-collar crimes (fraud, forgery, identity theft)

Misdemeanor Charges

Misdemeanor cases, whether in Circuit Court or the Municipal Division, include:

• Assault in the Third and Fourth Degree
• Domestic Assault in the Third and Fourth Degree
• Drug possession
• Stealing (misdemeanor level)
• Trespassing
• Traffic violations and DWI

Drug Cases in St. Louis City

Drug cases are among the most common charges in the City of St. Louis, as it is a very urban jurisdiction. At Rose Legal Services, drug cases, stealing, and assault charges are our second most common type of case after DWI across all Missouri jurisdictions, so all of our attorneys are very experienced and well-trained in handling these cases in the 22nd Judicial Circuit.

The Criminal Court Process in St. Louis City

Understanding how a case will proceed through the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court helps reduce anxiety and allows proper preparation.

Initial Appearance

If arrested, an appearance before a judge will occur within 24 to 48 hours for an initial appearance. At this hearing, the judge:

• Informs the defendant of the charges
• Advises the defendant of constitutional rights
• Sets bond or determines whether the defendant can be released on own recognizance
• May impose bond conditions such as no-contact orders or GPS monitoring

Arraignment

At arraignment, the defendant is formally advised of the charges and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. All defendants plead not guilty at arraignment, which allows the attorney time to investigate the case and negotiate with prosecutors.

Pretrial Conferences

The case will go through several pretrial conferences where the attorney and the prosecutor discuss the case, exchange evidence, and negotiate potential plea agreements. These conferences are opportunities to work toward favorable resolutions.

Motion Hearings and Discovery

The attorney may file pretrial motions to:

• Suppress illegally obtained evidence
• Dismiss charges based on legal deficiencies
• Reduce bond or modify bond conditions
• Challenge the prosecution’s evidence

Felony cases proceed through preliminary hearings where the state must establish probable cause that a crime was committed. Defense attorneys can also take depositions of witnesses, obtain video evidence, and conduct thorough discovery to build the defense. Motion hearings allow the attorney to challenge the prosecution’s case before trial.

Trial

If the case doesn’t resolve through negotiation, it proceeds to trial. Every defendant has the constitutional right to trial by jury. At trial, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

At Rose Legal Services, we’re prepared to take cases to trial when necessary. We have extensive trial experience in the 22nd Judicial Circuit and know how to present compelling defenses to St. Louis City juries.

Sentencing

If found guilty, the court holds a sentencing hearing where the judge determines punishment. The defense attorney presents mitigating evidence and argues for the most lenient sentence possible.

The Circuit Attorney’s Office

Criminal cases in St. Louis City are prosecuted by the Circuit Attorney’s Office, an elected position separate from the Missouri Attorney General. The Circuit Attorney’s Office has several divisions that handle different types of cases.

We have extensive experience negotiating with prosecutors from all divisions of the Circuit Attorney’s Office and the St. Louis County Counselor’s Office. We know which prosecutors are reasonable and how to present cases for favorable outcomes.

Special Programs Available in St. Louis City

The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court offers several specialized programs that may be available depending on the charges and circumstances:

Treatment Court

St. Louis Treatment Court provides an alternative to incarceration for defendants with substance abuse issues. The program offers intensive supervision, substance abuse treatment, and court monitoring. Successfully completing Treatment Court can result in reduced charges or dismissal. More information:https://www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com/courts_services/treatment_court.php

We’ve helped numerous clients access Treatment Court and successfully complete the program.

Veterans Court

Veterans facing criminal charges related to mental health or substance abuse issues may qualify for Veterans Court, which provides services tailored to those who served in the military.

Diversion Programs

First-time offenders charged with certain offenses may qualify for diversion programs that allow them to avoid conviction by completing specific requirements.

Why Experience in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Matters

Every court system has its own culture, procedures, and personalities. The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court is unique in several ways:

We Know the Judges

We appear before St. Louis City judges regularly and understand their perspectives, preferences, and tendencies. This knowledge helps us present cases effectively and anticipate how judges will respond to different arguments.

We Know the Prosecutors

We’ve worked with prosecutors in the Circuit Attorney’s Office and the St. Louis County Counselor’s Office for years. We know which prosecutors are reasonable, which are open to negotiation, and how to present cases persuasively to each individual prosecutor.

We Understand Local Procedures

St. Louis City has specific local rules, customs, and procedures that differ from other Missouri courts. We know these procedures and ensure cases are handled properly from start to finish.

We’re Familiar With the Courtrooms

We know where each courtroom is located, how to navigate the buildings efficiently, and what to expect in each judge’s courtroom. This familiarity allows us to focus entirely on the case rather than logistical concerns.

Why Choose Rose Legal Services for Your St. Louis City Case

When facing criminal charges in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, clients need attorneys who know this court system inside and out.

We Dedicate Our Practice Exclusively to Criminal Defense

We believe that a criminal defense practice is highly specialized, requiring full-time focus and attention. Therefore, we are one of the very few law firms in Missouri who dedicate our practice exclusively to criminal defense. Unlike many lawyers who take criminal cases, we will never be distracted by a personal injury case, a bankruptcy, a divorce case, or anything else.

We Have Extensive Experience in St. Louis City

We have a lot of cases in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, so we’re very familiar with those prosecutors and judges. This familiarity gives our clients significant advantages in negotiations and court proceedings.

We Provide a Team Approach

Our team comprises attorneys, staff members, and an investigator. We each have specialized roles in the process, and we all work together and collaborate. We will all work together to achieve the best possible outcome.

We’re Passionate About Second Chances

We’re passionate about helping good people get a second chance. We have helped thousands of people who have been charged, arrested, or investigated for a crime.

We Provide Excellent Client Service

We take pride in delivering excellent client service and communication. Our Client Care Specialists are available to answer questions and provide support throughout the case. Clients receive a written matter status report every month as long as they have an active matter with us.

Additional Resources

Court Website: 22nd Judicial Circuit Court

Circuit Clerk’s Office: For questions about filing documents, obtaining court records, or court fees, contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (314) 622-4405.

Case Information: Search for case information online through Missouri’s CaseNet system at courts.mo.gov/casenet.

Court Hours: Most courtrooms and clerk’s offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Court sessions typically begin at 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM, but individuals should verify their specific court time on their summons or with their attorney. Please note that the St. Louis City Municipal Court has different contact information listed above.

Facing Charges in St. Louis City Circuit Court? Contact Us Today

If charged with a crime in the City of St. Louis, don’t face the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court system alone. The decisions made early in the case will significantly impact the outcome.

At Rose Legal Services, we offer confidential consultations where we’ll review the charges, explain the court process, and discuss how we can help achieve the best possible result in the case.

Your defense starts with a conversation.