Our Focus
We help children, families, and communities break the cycle of poverty by empowering people of all ages to dream, aspire and achieve.
Follow the Links Below For Crime Data Provided By The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Follow These Links For More Information
In The Last 12 Months, We Have...
Received
15,426
Cases From SLMPD
Not Filed
3,972
Cases Due to Lack of Evidence
Filed
2,553
Cases For Prosecution
Disposed
3,156
Resulting in a Conviction or Acquittal
About Our Office
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (CAO) employs approximately 150 individuals working to promote the safety and well-being of the citizens of St. Louis, Missouri, including attorneys, investigators, victim rights advocates, diversion counselors, paralegals and support staff.
The CAO prosecutes state felony cases, represents the Missouri Department of Social Services regarding child support enforcement, and provides assistance to witnesses and victims of crime.
To accomplish its work, the CAO has several units and special programs.
Homicide Unit
The Homicide Unit prosecutes all homicide cases.
Violent Crime Unit
The Violent Crimes Unit is devoted to the prosecution of the most serious felonies.
Special Victims Unit
The Special Victims Unit prosecutes all sexual assault and domestic violence cases. This unit also prosecutes all cases in which minors or individuals with special needs are victims of sexual or physical assault.
General Felonies Unit
The General Felonies Unit handles a variety of cases including arson, assault, drug crimes, burglary, robbery, stealing and weapons offenses.
Misdemeanors Unit
Financial and Civil Matters Unit
The Financial and Civil Matters Unit responds to Sunshine Law requests, collects delinquent City business taxes, pursues bad check reimbursement, processes restitution payments, expungements and asset forfeiture, and conducts civil commitment hearings. Learn More
Diversion Unit
The CAO’s diversion programs give qualified individuals the opportunity to avoid the consequences of traditional criminal prosecution including a trial, conviction, criminal record, and incarceration.
Learn More
Victim Services Unit
The Victim Services Unit provides counseling, support, and assistance to victims of crime, and help in locating needed community resources.
Learn More
Child Support Unit
The Child Support Unit establishes and enforces court-ordered child support in cases referred to the CAO by the Missouri Department of Social Services; the CAO does not initiate cases. The Child Support Unit may also establish paternity. Learn More.
Warrant Office
The Warrant Office is the first stop for all cases presented to the CAO by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and determines what charges will be filed for any given offense.
Investigators Unit
The Investigators Unit is responsible for locating witnesses and gathering evidence to support prosecutions.
Police Make Arrest
What happens next?
Warrant Office. An assistant Circuit Attorney decides whether to charge and, if so, what crimes to charge.
Not Charged with a crime - person is released.
Charged with a misdemeanor
What is next?
Once a person is charged, an arraignment is set where they will plead guilty or not guilty.
Plead Guilty
Sentence is set
Person appeals
Plead Not Guilty
Trial is held
Person is found either Guilty or Not Guilty.
Found Guilty
Sentence is set, person appeals.
Found Not Guilty
Person is released
Charged with a Felony
What is next?
Person appears in court initially. Bond reviewed.
Review the evidence
An independent party - either a judge, at a preliminary hearing or a grand jury - reviews the charges to see if there is enough evidence to merit a trial.
Is there enough evidence?
If there is enough evidence, an arraignment is set.
If there is not enough evidence, the person is released.
Plead Guilty
Sentence is set
Person appeals
Plead Not Guilty
Trial is held
Person is found either Guilty or Not Guilty.
Found Guilty
Sentence is set, person appeals.
Found Not Guilty
Person is released
Education
A solid foundation in education is key to success later in life. Your donation funds teachers, books and extracurricular activities to help get youngsters off to the right start.
Health
Basic health care that many of us take for granted can be hard for others to access. We ensure that underprivileged youngsters and adults have access to the health practitioners they need.
Community
Community is the family that goes beyond family. It is the people and places that we come in contact with each and every day. When we strengthen communities, we strengthen individuals.
Our Programs
These are a few of our most recent programs. Each and every year, we carry out more than 1000 programs across the country, involving people of every age, interest and need.