- ST. LOUIS 314-669-4394
- KANSAS CITY 816-944-3943
Experienced Defense for DWI, Felony, and Misdemeanor Charges
If you have been arrested or accused of a crime in St. Louis County, Missouri, protect yourself by remaining silent, preserving your paperwork, and speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Kissell Law Group is a Missouri criminal defense firm based in Clayton. We defend people facing DWI, drug, assault, domestic assault, sexual-offense, felony, and misdemeanor allegations throughout St. Louis County and across Missouri.
With more than 17 years devoted exclusively to criminal defense and over 2,100 clients represented, we understand what is at stake: your freedom, driver’s license, career, professional credentials, family, and reputation.
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Available 24/7 for new-client calls
Serving all of St. Louis County
Clayton criminal-defense office
Serious cases require serious preparation
Charged With a Crime in St. Louis County?
An arrest is not a conviction. The prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, and the evidence against you may be challenged.
What you do immediately after an arrest can affect the course of your case. Do not attempt to talk your way out of an allegation, discuss the case on social media, delete potential evidence, or contact an alleged victim in violation of a release condition or court order.
Instead:
Early representation can help preserve evidence, identify deadlines, manage contact with investigators, and prevent avoidable mistakes.
Criminal Defense Services in St. Louis County
DWI and DUI Defense
A Missouri DWI arrest can lead to two separate proceedings: a criminal court case and an administrative driver’s-license matter.
In certain alcohol-test cases, you may have only 15 days after receiving notice to request an administrative hearing before a suspension or revocation takes effect. A different process may apply when the state alleges that you refused chemical testing.
Our DWI defense team may evaluate:
A reported alcohol concentration does not end the investigation. Testing procedures, maintenance records, timing, scientific reliability, and police conduct may all require careful review.
LEARN ABOUT MISSOURI DWI DEFENSE
Drug Charges
Kissell Law Group defends allegations involving:
Drug cases often turn on search-and-seizure law. We examine whether officers had a valid warrant, whether an exception to the warrant requirement applied, who controlled the location where evidence was discovered, and whether prosecutors can prove knowing possession.
Being present near an illegal substance does not necessarily establish that a person knowingly possessed it.
EXPLORE DRUG-CHARGE DEFENSE
Assault and Domestic Assault
Assault cases often involve conflicting accounts of a fast-moving confrontation. Important evidence may include surveillance video, photographs, medical records, prior communications, witness statements, and emergency-call recordings.
We investigate issues such as:
Domestic assault allegations can also result in no-contact conditions and order-of-protection proceedings. These restrictions must be followed unless and until a court changes them, even if the protected person initiates contact.
LEARN ABOUT DOMESTIC ASSAULT DEFENSE
Sexual-Offense Allegations
Sexual-offense investigations demand immediate, discreet attention. These cases may involve digital communications, forensic evidence, witness credibility, interview procedures, conflicting accounts, and complex timelines.
Do not agree to an interview or provide access to your phone, computer, or online accounts without first obtaining legal advice. Investigators may describe an interview as an opportunity to clear things up, but statements can be misunderstood or used against you.
Kissell Law Group handles allegations involving sexual assault, statutory offenses, child molestation, sexual misconduct, internet sex crimes, and failure-to-register cases.
VIEW SEXUAL-OFFENSE DEFENSE SERVICES
Felony and Misdemeanor Defense
We defend clients against serious felony and misdemeanor allegations throughout St. Louis County.
A criminal case can affect more than the immediate possibility of jail or probation. It may also affect:
Every case receives an individualized analysis based on the charge, evidence, criminal history, possible collateral consequences, and the client’s goals.
Where Are St. Louis County Criminal Cases Heard?
State criminal cases arising in St. Louis County are generally handled by the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri’s 21st Judicial Circuit.
St. Louis County Circuit Court
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, Missouri 63105
The court includes circuit criminal and associate criminal and traffic divisions. The correct division depends on the charge and the procedural stage of the case.
Some ordinance and traffic matters may instead be heard in a municipal court. St. Louis County contains numerous municipalities with their own courts and police departments.
Always check your citation, summons, bond paperwork, or Case.net record to determine where your case is pending.
St. Louis County Is Not the City of St. Louis
St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis are separate jurisdictions with different courts, prosecutors, and local procedures.
A case arising in Clayton, Florissant, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood, Ferguson, Hazelwood, Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, University City, or another St. Louis County community is not automatically handled by the court system serving the independent City of St. Louis.
Your attorney should confirm the exact jurisdiction before advising you about appearances, filing procedures, or local court practices.
How Can Kissell Law Group Defend You?
Our work may include:
The appropriate strategy may involve suppressing unlawfully obtained evidence, disputing an element of the offense, asserting self-defense, challenging scientific evidence, negotiating a resolution, or taking the case to trial.
We do not select a strategy before understanding the facts.
Why Choose Kissell Law Group?
Criminal Defense Is Our Focus
We do not merely include criminal defense among unrelated practice areas. Kissell Law Group has devoted more than 17 years to defending people accused of crimes in Missouri.
More Than 2,100 Clients Represented
Our attorneys have helped thousands of people facing high-stakes legal problems, from first DWI arrests to serious felony prosecutions.
Experience Across Missouri
Kissell Law Group has represented clients in nearly every Missouri county. That statewide experience allows us to enter a case prepared to evaluate the law, evidence, forensic issues, and local procedures.
Advanced DWI Defense Training
DWI cases may require knowledge of constitutional law, Department of Revenue procedures, standardized field sobriety tests, breath-testing equipment, blood analysis, and toxicology. We continually invest in advanced legal and forensic training.
Clear Communication
You should understand what you are accused of, what may happen next, and what decisions you must make. We emphasize direct communication and practical guidance throughout the case.
A Clayton Office Serving St. Louis County
Kissell Law Group’s main office is located in Clayton, where the St. Louis County Circuit Court is also located.
Kissell Law Group LLC
7513A Forsyth Boulevard
Clayton, Missouri 63105
314-669-4394
MEET OUR LEGAL TEAM
What to Expect When You Contact Us
Tell us what happened and provide the basic information about your arrest, investigation, or court date.
An attorney reviews the available information, identifies urgent deadlines, and explains the immediate next steps.
If the firm accepts the case and you retain us, we begin protecting your rights, obtaining evidence, and developing an individualized defense strategy.
START YOUR CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles criminal cases in St. Louis County?
State criminal cases are generally handled by the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri’s 21st Judicial Circuit, in Clayton. Municipal ordinance cases may be handled by a local municipal court.
Is St. Louis County the same jurisdiction as St. Louis City?
No. St. Louis County and the independent City of St. Louis have separate court systems and prosecutors. Confirm the jurisdiction shown on your citation, summons, or court record.
When should I contact a criminal defense lawyer?
Contact an attorney as soon as you learn that you are under investigation or after an arrest. Early representation may help protect deadlines, preserve evidence, and manage communications with law enforcement.
Should I speak to the police if I am innocent?
You have the right to remain silent and request an attorney. Innocent people can make incomplete or misunderstood statements. Obtain legal advice before discussing the allegations with investigators.
Do I need a lawyer for a first DWI?
A first DWI can produce criminal and administrative driver’s-license consequences. Because some license deadlines may begin immediately after arrest, prompt legal advice is advisable.
Can a Missouri DWI charge be dismissed?
A DWI may be challenged when the traffic stop, arrest, testing, evidence, or police procedures fail to meet legal requirements. Dismissal may be possible in some cases, but no attorney can guarantee it.
Will I lose my license after a DWI arrest?
Not necessarily, but an arrest may trigger a license suspension or revocation separate from the criminal charge. The procedure depends on the notice you received and whether chemical testing was completed or allegedly refused.
Can police search my phone after arresting me?
An arrest does not automatically authorize a complete search of your phone’s digital contents. Officers may ask for consent, claim an exception, or seek a warrant. Do not physically interfere, but obtain legal advice before voluntarily consenting.
Can an assault charge be filed if the alleged victim does not want to prosecute?
Potentially. The prosecuting authority, not the complaining witness, generally decides whether a criminal case proceeds. The wishes and cooperation of a witness may affect the evidence, but they do not automatically end a case.
How much does a St. Louis County criminal defense lawyer cost?
Legal fees depend on the charge, complexity, anticipated motions, expert evidence, criminal history, and whether the case proceeds to trial. Kissell Law Group can discuss fees after learning the basic facts of the matter.
Protect Your Rights and Your Future
If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by investigators in St. Louis County, do not wait for the case to resolve itself.
Kissell Law Group is ready to evaluate the allegations, explain your options, and build a defense focused on protecting your freedom, driver’s license, career, and reputation.
Call 314-669-4394 or contact Kissell Law Group online for a confidential consultation.
CONTACT KISSELL LAW GROUP
Available 24/7 for new-client calls.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this page or contacting Kissell Law Group does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past experience does not guarantee future results.