St. Louis Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
Have You Been Arrested or Charged for Misdemeanor?
If You Are Facing Misdemeanor Charges In St. Louis, Trust The Legal Team At Rose Legal Services to Help Get Your Life Back On Track as Soon as Possible.
You need an experienced St. Louis misdemeanor defense lawyer who will advocate for your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Although less severe than a felony, a misdemeanor shouldn’t be taken lightly. A conviction could lead to harsh penalties, jail time, and a criminal record that could affect you for the rest of your life.
Common Misdemeanor Charges in St. Louis
In Missouri, there are four classes of misdemeanors:
- Class A, which is the most serious of crimes in this category.
- Class B
- Class C
- Class D
Some of the most common misdemeanor charges include but are not limited to:
DWI
Missouri takes DWIs very seriously, and a conviction can follow you for many years. DWI is operating a motor vehicle in an intoxicated or drugged condition, i.e., while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or drug, or any combination thereof. Under Missouri law, a person is presumed to be in an intoxicated condition if such person’s blood-alcohol content is 0.08% or more by weight.
If this is your first time being charged with a DWI, the crime may be classified as a Class B misdemeanor. However, a first-time DWI may be considered a Class A misdemeanor if you have a prior conviction or someone under the age of 17 was in the vehicle at the time of the arrest.
Peace Disturbance
Disturbing the peace is classified as a misdemeanor. If you’re disturbing the peace and have a previous conviction of this crime, it can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor.
Peace Disturbance, sometimes called disorderly conduct, can include:
- Making physical threats to others
- Public intoxication
- Using offensive language
- Making loud noise
- Fighting
- Purposely inconveniencing others by obstructing pedestrian traffic, vehicular traffic or free ingress or egress to or from a public or private place
Possession of Marijuana
Missouri has some of the most stringent laws when it comes to drug offenses. Pleading guilty can have long-term consequences, including difficulty obtaining employment or securing housing.
- Possession of more than 10 grams but no more than 35 grams of marijuana can be classified as a Class A misdemeanor
- If you’re caught with 10 grams or less of marijuana, you can be charged with a Class D misdemeanor
Stealing (Under $750 Value)
If you’re caught stealing items worth less than $750, the crime may be considered a Class A misdemeanor. However, if the value of the items is $750 or more, the State may file a felony charge against you.
Assault in the 4th Degree
Assault in the 4th Degree is often classified as a Class A misdemeanor. To convict you of this offense, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
- You attempted to or recklessly caused physical pain, injury, or illness to another person
- You, with criminal negligence, injured someone with a firearm
- You purposely placed another person in apprehension of immediate physical injury
- Your reckless behavior caused a substantial risk of serious injury or death
- You caused physical contact with another person knowing that the person would regard that contact as provocative or offensive
Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License
Driving with a revoked or suspended license is illegal and classified as a misdemeanor. If you have been previously convicted of driving with a revoked or suspended license, the crime may be bumped up to a Class A misdemeanor.
Careless & Imprudent Driving
In Missouri, drivers are expected to obey all traffic laws, follow the speed limit, and not operate a vehicle in a way that puts other people and property in danger. If you’re charged with Careless & Imprudent Driving, it can be classified as a Class B misdemeanor. If an accident was involved, the crime can be bumped up to a Class A misdemeanor.
Speeding
Driving over the speed limit is a misdemeanor offense in Missouri. If you’re caught speeding 20mph or more over the speed limit, you can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which can have harsh penalties and fines. Prosecutors in Missouri often seek a weekend in jail on high-speed speeding cases
Most Traffic Offenses
If you’re pulled over for failure to signal, improper signal, speeding (under 20 MPH above the limit) or most other traffic offenses, it will likely be considered a Class C misdemeanor. Any traffic offense can also result in points being assessed against your driver’s license and/or a suspension of your driver’s license.
Possible Penalties for Misdemeanors in St. Louis
The penalty for a misdemeanor will depend on its class:
- Class A Misdemeanors: Up to 1 year in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines
- Class B Misdemeanors: Up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines
- Class C Misdemeanors: Up to 15 days in jail and/or up to $700 in fines
- Class D Misdemeanors: Up to $500 in fines
Fines can be higher if you profited off of the crime in some way, such as gaining money or property. In this case, fines can be up to double the amount that you gained.
Prior convictions can bump the crime into a higher misdemeanor class, which will mean more severe penalties and higher fines.
Some crimes that are generally classified as misdemeanors can be treated as felonies if they are considered hate crimes.
What to Do After Being Charged With a Misdemeanor in St. Louis
If you are charged, arrested, or receive a citation for a misdemeanor in St. Louis, contact a lawyer immediately. An experienced misdemeanor defense lawyer can help you find the best course of action to take in your case and fight to have the charges reduced.
Find The Best St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney For You
Look for an attorney that takes your future as seriously as YOU DO. Experienced in a range of criminal defense cases, including stealing, property damage, and assault — Rose Legal Services will work hard to get rid of your criminal record. Let’s start your case off with a free consultation, take the time to thoroughly review and inspect your case, and prepare a solid representation.
St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney Near You
If you’re a first offender that’s been wrongfully accused or made a mistake… Take legal action today. Rose Legal Services exclusively defends clients against criminal charges in St. Louis and surrounding areas. With nearly 20 years of experience, rest assured we will work tirelessly & aggressively to defend you in the court of law.
- Immediate & Effective Representation
- Flat Fee Criminal Law Firm
- Get The UNDIVIDED ATTENTION Your Case Needs
- Take Legal Action TODAY
- All Cases Begin With A FREE Consultation
Hire a St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as possible to help secure your future. If you’ve made a mistake, we can help get you off the hook as fast as possible — Start planning your defense today with a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A misdemeanor may not be as serious as a felony, but you can still face harsh penalties and time in jail.
A conviction can make it harder to secure employment or even rent an apartment. A lawyer will work to get your misdemeanor charges reduced to a lesser offense that may not even show up on your record.
Let’s hope not, but any criminal charge, even a misdemeanor, can have long-term consequences that are often unforeseen. A misdemeanor conviction will stay on your record for the rest of your life unless you can successfully have it expunged.
Most employers perform background checks on potential employees, and having a record can make it more difficult to secure a good-paying job.
In addition to employment difficulties, a misdemeanor conviction can also:
- Affect your child custody rights
- Make it harder to go to the college or university of your choice
- Make it harder to rent an apartment or home
Sometimes, but not always. Ultimately, it will come down to whether you have a criminal history, if there was intent to harm, or if violence was involved. Still, being a first-time offender doesn’t guarantee that the judge will be lenient.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor in St. Louis, don’t bet your future on a chance that the judge may be lenient. A lawyer will build a solid defense for your case and work hard to get the charges reduced.
