Violent Crime Examples in St. Louis: Charges, Penalties, and Legal Options

Violent crime charges are among the most serious accusations in Missouri’s criminal justice system.

At Rose Legal Services, we defend people accused of violent crimes throughout St. Louis. We understand that behind every charge is a human being – often someone who made a mistake, acted in self-defense, or has been wrongfully accused.

Understanding violent crime examples, their consequences, and defense options is critical to protecting someone’s future.

What Constitutes a Violent Crime in Missouri?

Under RSMo § 556.061, dangerous felonies include specific violent offenses such as murder, assault in the first degree, forcible rape, forcible sodomy, robbery in the first degree, and other crimes. This classification carries severe sentencing implications.

When someone is convicted of a dangerous felony in Missouri, they must serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. This means that, unlike other felonies, where defendants might serve significantly less time through good behavior or parole programs, those convicted of dangerous felonies will serve nearly their entire sentence.

Common Violent Crime Examples in St. Louis

The range of charges considered violent crimes is broader than many people realize.

Homicide Offenses

Murder in the First Degree (RSMo § 565.020) Knowingly causing death after deliberation. Class A felony punishable by death or life imprisonment.

Murder in the Second Degree (RSMo § 565.021) Knowingly causing death or causing death during commission of a felony. Class A felony with 10-30 years or life.

Voluntary Manslaughter (RSMo § 565.023) Causing death under sudden passion from adequate cause. Class B felony.

Involuntary Manslaughter (RSMo § 565.024) Recklessly causing death. Class C felony, or Class B if victim is law enforcement.

Assault-Related Violent Crime Examples

Assault in the First Degree (RSMo § 565.050) Attempting to kill or knowingly causing serious physical injury. Class B felony, or Class A with serious injury.

This includes:

• Shootings that don’t result in death
• Stabbings
• Attacks causing permanent disability
• Severe injuries

Assault in the Second Degree (RSMo § 565.052) Attempting to cause serious injury under sudden passion, or causing injury with a deadly weapon. Class D felony.

Common scenarios:

• Bar fights with weapons
• Road rage incidents
• Fights involving dangerous instruments

Domestic Assault Any assault against a family member, intimate partner, or household member escalates the charges and penalties.

St. Louis sees hundreds of domestic violence arrests monthly, making it one of the most common examples of violent crime.

Robbery and Armed Criminal Action

Robbery in the First Degree (RSMo § 570.023) Forcibly stealing while causing serious injury or using/threatening a deadly weapon. Class A felony.

Robbery in the Second Degree (RSMo § 570.025) Forcibly stealing with or without injury. Class B felony.

Armed Criminal Action (RSMo § 571.015) Committing any felony while armed adds mandatory consecutive prison time:

• First offense: 3 years minimum
• Second offense: 5 years minimum
• Third offense: 10 years minimum

Sexual Violence Crimes

Rape and Sodomy First and second-degree rape and sodomy are violent felonies with severe penalties and lifetime registration requirements.

Sexual Assault Various degrees involving force, incapacitation, or lack of consent.

These violent crime examples carry both criminal penalties and devastating social stigma.

Kidnapping and False Imprisonment

Kidnapping (RSMo § 565.110) Unlawfully confining someone with intent to hold for ransom, use as a shield, or inflict injury. Class A felony.

Kidnapping in The Third Degree (RSMo § 565.130) Knowingly restraining someone unlawfully. Class A misdemeanor, but becomes felony with certain factors.

Weapons-Related Violent Crimes

Unlawful Use of a Weapon (RSMo § 571.030) Exhibiting weapons in an angry or threatening manner, or shooting firearms in certain locations.

Felon in Possession of a Firearm (RSMo § 571.070) Prior felons cannot possess firearms – automatic felony charge.

The Severe Consequences of Violent Crime Convictions

Violent crime convictions in Missouri carry the harshest penalties in the criminal justice system.

Immediate Criminal Penalties

Lengthy Prison Sentences

• Class A felonies: 10-30 years or life
• Class B felonies: 5-15 years
• Class C felonies: 3-10 years
• Class D felonies: 2-7 years
• Class E felonies: 2-4 years

Many violent crimes carry mandatory minimums judges cannot reduce.

Enhanced Sentences Prior convictions trigger persistent offender enhancements, potentially doubling sentences.

Limited Parole Eligibility Violent offenders must serve larger percentages of sentences before parole consideration.

Some violent crime examples require serving 85% of the sentence.

Lifetime Collateral Consequences

Employment Destruction Violent crime convictions effectively bar a person from:

• Healthcare positions
• Education careers
• Government employment
• Security work
• Any position involving vulnerable populations

Constitutional Rights Loss

• Permanent firearm prohibition
• Voting restrictions while confined under a sentence of imprisonment (RSMo. § 561.026)
• Jury service disqualification

Social Isolation

• Sex offender registration for certain offenses (RSMo. § 589.400)
• Restricted housing options
• Limited travel opportunities
• Damaged personal relationships

Critical Defense Strategies for Violent Crime Charges

Every violent crime case has potential defenses, even when evidence seems overwhelming.

Self-Defense and Defense of Others

Missouri recognizes robust self-defense rights under the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws (RSMo. § 563.031).

Key Elements:

• Reasonable belief of imminent danger
• Proportional force used
• No duty to retreat in most situations

We build self-defense cases through:

• Medical documentation of injuries
• Witness testimony about aggressor’s actions
• Prior threats or violence by the victim
• Physical evidence supporting the defendant’s version

Many violent crime examples that initially appear criminal are actually lawful self-defense.

Challenging Intent and Mental State

Most violent crimes require specific mental states:

• Knowingly – awareness of conduct
• Purposely – conscious objective
• Recklessly – conscious disregard of risk

Prosecutors must prove mental state beyond reasonable doubt.

Mental health issues, intoxication, or medication effects might negate required intent.

Attacking the Evidence

Forensic Challenges

• DNA testing errors
• Ballistics inconsistencies
• Blood spatter analysis problems
• Digital evidence authentication

Witness Credibility

• Inconsistent statements
• Bias or motive to lie
• Intoxication or impairment
• Limited opportunity to observe

Constitutional Violations

• Illegal searches
• Coerced confessions
• Miranda violations
• Right to counsel denials

Misidentification Defense

Eyewitness misidentification causes many wrongful convictions, especially in violent crime examples involving:

• Cross-racial identification
• Poor lighting conditions
• Stress or weapon focus
• Suggestive police procedures

We use expert testimony on identification reliability to create reasonable doubt.

Lesser Included Offenses

Sometimes the best strategy involves negotiating charges down:

• Murder to manslaughter
• First-degree assault to second-degree
• Armed robbery to theft
• Kidnapping to false imprisonment

This can mean decades less in prison.

Why St. Louis Violent Crime Cases Require Local Experience

St. Louis has unique characteristics affecting violent crime prosecutions.

High Crime Rates Create Pressure

With violent crime rates among the nation’s highest, St. Louis prosecutors face intense pressure to convict.

This means:

• Aggressive charging decisions
• Reluctance to dismiss cases
• Harsh plea offers
• Media attention on violent crime examples

Jurisdictional Complexities

St. Louis City and County separate jurisdictions mean different:

• Prosecutors
• Judges
• Jury pools
• Sentencing tendencies

Knowing these differences is crucial for defense strategy.

Local Programs and Alternatives

Despite tough prosecution, some alternatives exist:

• Veterans Court for military defendants
• Mental Health Court for qualifying cases
• Negotiated pleas to avoid mandatory minimums

We know which prosecutors consider alternatives and how to position cases.

Charged with a Violent Crime? Your Future Isn’t Over

Violent crime charges are terrifying, but they’re not the end.

With proper defense, many clients achieve:

• Complete acquittals
• Significantly reduced charges
• Alternatives to incarceration
• Sentences below guidelines

The key is acting quickly with experienced counsel.

Take Action Now

If you’re facing violent crime charges in St. Louis, every moment matters.

Contact Rose Legal Services immediately for a confidential consultation.

We’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and begin building your defense today.

Don’t let violent crime charges determine your future without a fight.

Your defense starts with a conversation.