St. Louis County Circuit Court (21st Judicial Circuit Court)

St. Louis County Circuit Court, also known as the 21st Judicial Circuit Court, handles all felony criminal cases, many misdemeanors, and other legal matters in St. Louis County, Missouri. By the number of cases filed, it is the largest judicial circuit in the state. If someone has been charged with a crime in St. Louis County, understanding how this court system works and what to expect is essential.

At Rose Legal Services, we dedicate our practice exclusively to criminal defense. And because our flagship location is in St. Louis County and the St. Louis County Circuit Court is the busiest and largest court in the state, we have more cases there than anywhere else. We are very familiar with the prosecutors and judges in that court, as we work with them every day. Here’s what someone facing criminal charges in St. Louis County Circuit Court needs to know.

Overview of St. Louis County Circuit Court

The 21st Judicial Circuit Court serves St. Louis County, the most populous county in Missouri. The court is divided into several divisions that handle different types of cases:

• Criminal Division – Handles all felony cases and serious misdemeanors
• Civil Division – Handles civil lawsuits and disputes
• Family Court Division – Handles divorce, custody, and family law matters
• Probate Division – Handles estates, guardianships, and probate matters
• Municipal Division – Handles traffic violations, municipal ordinance violations, and municipal misdemeanors

Location and Contact Information

St. Louis County Courthouse
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 615-8029

St. Louis County Justice Center (Buzz Westfall Justice Center)
100 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 615-5245

St. Louis County criminal cases are heard in two connected buildings on South Central Avenue in Clayton:

The Courthouse contains approximately 50 courtrooms where most St. Louis County criminal cases are heard.

The Justice Center is connected to the Courthouse by a skybridge and houses the county jail, Bond Window, Fugitive Turn In Window, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice Services, and two courtrooms.

Types of Criminal Cases Heard in St. Louis County Circuit Court

The St. Louis County Circuit Court Criminal Division hears:

Felony Cases

All felony charges in St. Louis County are heard in Circuit Court, including:

• Class A, B, C, D, and E felonies
• Drug trafficking and distribution charges
• Assault and violent crime charges
• Burglary and property crimes
• Sex crimes
• Weapons offenses
• White collar crimes

Serious Misdemeanors

Certain misdemeanor cases may be heard in Circuit Court, though many are also handled in municipal courts. These include:

• Domestic assault cases
• Assault cases
• Shoplifting and petty theft
• DWI cases
• Traffic cases
• Misdemeanors charged alongside felonies

And sometimes cases are transferred from a municipal court to the Circuit Court.

Municipal Court Appeals

Appeals from municipal court convictions are also heard in St. Louis County Circuit Court.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

Criminal cases in St. Louis County Circuit Court are prosecuted by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. This office employs numerous assistant prosecuting attorneys who handle different types of cases.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is divided into units:

• Warrant Office – Reviews police reports and warrant applications, determines what charges to file
• Violent Crime Unit – Handles serious violent felonies, including homicides
• Domestic Violence Team – Prosecutes domestic assault and family violence cases
• Sexual Assault Team – Handles sex crime prosecutions
• Vehicular Manslaughter/Assault Team – Prosecutes serious traffic-related crimes
• Retail Theft Unit – Handles organized retail theft and stealing cases
• Diversion – Manages alternative prosecution programs for eligible defendants
• Litigation Technology Unit – Provides technical support for prosecutions
• Conviction & Incident Review Unit – Reviews potential wrongful convictions
• Child Support Unit – Handles child support enforcement matters
• Forfeitures Unit – Handles asset forfeiture cases
• Delinquent Taxes Unit – Prosecutes tax-related offenses

Understanding which unit is handling a case can provide insight into how the prosecution will approach it.

What to Expect in St. Louis County Circuit Court

The criminal court process in St. Louis County generally follows these stages:

Initial Appearance

After a case is filed, the defendant’s first court appearance is typically the initial appearance or arraignment. At this hearing:

• The charges are formally read
• The defendant enters a plea of not guilty
• Bond is set or reviewed, if the defendant is in custody or there is an outstanding warrant
• The defendant is advised of his or her rights

Preliminary Hearing (For Felony Cases)

In felony cases, a preliminary hearing may be held to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime. At this hearing:

• The prosecution presents evidence
• Witnesses may testify
• Defense counsel can cross-examine witnesses
• The judge determines whether the case should proceed

Some preliminary hearings are waived, especially when a case is resolved through plea negotiations.

Grand Jury (For Felony Cases)

In felony cases, if a preliminary hearing is not held, the State will present the case to a grand jury. There is no judge or defense attorney involved in grand jury proceedings, and proceedings are conducted in secret without a record. Like a preliminary hearing, prosecutors call witnesses and present evidence, and the grand jury decides whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime. If so, then an indictment is returned, and the case is allowed to proceed.

Pre-Trial Conferences

Multiple pre-trial conferences may be scheduled where:

• The defense and prosecution discuss the case
• Evidence is exchanged through the discovery process
• Plea offers may be discussed
• Motions may be filed and argued

Motion Hearings

Defense attorneys may file motions to:

• Suppress evidence obtained through illegal searches
• Dismiss charges based on lack of evidence
• Request continuances
• Exclude certain evidence at trial

These motions are argued before a judge, who issues rulings that can significantly affect the case.

Trial

If the case is not resolved through plea negotiations, it proceeds to trial. St. Louis County criminal trials may be:

• Jury trials – A jury of citizens hears the evidence and decides guilt or innocence
• Bench trials – A judge hears the evidence and makes the decision

Most criminal defendants have the right to a jury trial, though they may waive that right and proceed with a bench trial.

Sentencing

If convicted, a sentencing hearing is held where:

• The prosecution recommends a sentence
• The defense presents mitigating arguments and/or evidence
• The judge imposes sentence within the statutory range

St. Louis County Criminal Court Judges

The 21st Judicial Circuit Court has dozens of judges. Each judge has their own procedures, expectations, and approach to criminal cases.

At Rose Legal Services, our attorneys appear regularly in St. Louis County Circuit Court and are familiar with the judges, their courtrooms, and their practices. This familiarity allows us to provide more effective representation and better anticipate how cases will be handled.

St. Louis County Bond and Detention

When someone is arrested in St. Louis County, they may be held at the St. Louis County Detention Center in Clayton. Bond is typically set at the initial appearance. Factors affecting bond include:

• The severity of the charges
• The defendant’s criminal history
• Flight risk
• Danger to the community
• Ties to the community
• Employment
• Strength of the evidence
• Likelihood to attend required court dates

If bond is set too high or denied, a defense attorney can file a motion for bond reduction.

Why Hire a Private Criminal Defense Attorney in St. Louis County?

While public defenders provide constitutionally required representation, hiring a private attorney offers several advantages:

• More time and attention devoted to the case
• Earlier involvement in the case, often before charges are filed
• More resources for investigation and expert witnesses
• Flexibility in meeting times and communication
• Experience with St. Louis County prosecutors and judges
• Aggressive advocacy focused solely on the client’s case

Common Criminal Charges We Handle in St. Louis County Circuit Court

Rose Legal Services represents clients facing all types of criminal charges in St. Louis County, including:

DWI and Traffic Offenses

DWI is our most common type of case and makes up 40% of our caseload. All of our attorneys have done the same DWI training as law enforcement officers. We handle:

• First offense DWI
• Felony DWI (with prior convictions)
• Aggravated DWI charges, sometimes involving crashes, injuries, or death
• Administrative license suspensions and revocations

Assault and Violent Crimes

All of our attorneys are very experienced in handling:

• Assault in the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Degree
• Domestic assault charges
• Armed criminal action
• Robbery and burglary

Drug Charges

We represent clients facing:

• Possession of controlled substances
• Distribution and trafficking charges
• Manufacturing charges
• Drug conspiracy cases

Theft and Property Crimes

We handle:

• Stealing charges at all levels
• Burglary
• Property damage
• Trespassing

Sex Crimes

We defend clients accused of:

• Rape and sodomy charges
• Statutory rape
• Sexual abuse
• Child molestation allegations

Weapons Charges

We represent clients charged with:

• Unlawful use of weapons
• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Armed criminal action

St. Louis County Court Resources

For more information about St. Louis County Circuit Court:

• Court Website: 21st Judicial Circuit Court
• Online Case Records: Missouri Case.net provides online access to court records
• Court Schedule: Case information and court dates are available through Case.net

Facing Criminal Charges in St. Louis County Circuit Court?

If someone has been charged with a crime in St. Louis County, time is critical. The decisions made early in a case often determine the final outcome.

At Rose Legal Services, we dedicate our practice exclusively to criminal defense. We have extensive experience in the St. Louis County Circuit Court, and we know the prosecutors and judges who will handle the case. We are passionate about helping good people get a second chance, and we’ve been helping people facing criminal charges find their way through Missouri’s criminal justice system.

Whether the charges involve DWI, assault, drug offenses, theft, or any other crime in St. Louis County, Rose Legal Services is here to help.

Your defense starts with a conversation.