Were you arrested by the Chesterfield Police Department and charged with a crime by prosecutors? If so, you need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights and make sure you get the fair trial you deserve.
A criminal conviction can have a significant impact on your life. Not only does it come with criminal penalties like prison time and fines, but a criminal record can make it harder to find employment, seek higher education, and secure housing. There’s also a social stigma associated with many felony charges that can damage your reputation in your community.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Chesterfield, contact Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. for a free phone consultation with one of our criminal defense attorneys. We’ll review your case, explain the charges and penalties, and go over some of the possible defenses.
At Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C., we have extensive experience defending clients against some of the most serious felony charges. Crimes we defend clients in Chesterfield against include:
Murder/Homicide – Homicide crimes are the most severe and come with the harshest criminal penalties, including life in prison and the death penalty.
Sex Crimes – Even the accusation of a sex crime can have a lasting impact on someone’s life. A sex crime conviction will result in significant criminal penalties and may require that the individual register as a sex offender.
Violent Crimes – Assault, battery, and domestic violence are serious charges that require knowledgeable criminal defense counsel to beat.
Gun Crimes – When your Second Amendment rights are on the line, you need an attorney who can put up a solid defense.
Property Crimes – Criminal property damage, theft, and robbery can lead to harsh penalties, depending on the value of the property damaged or stolen.
Drug Crimes – Charges for manufacturing, trafficking, or distributing controlled substances can result in severe federal and state sentences.
White-Collar Crimes – The government takes fraud, embezzlement, and other white-collar crimes very seriously and may attempt to make an example of those charged.
Federal Crimes – Any time the federal government files charges against you, it’s time to speak to an attorney experienced in federal criminal defense. Federal sentences are often more severe than state sentences, and the federal government has nearly unlimited resources to use when prosecuting criminal cases.
In Missouri, there are five felony classifications, with Class A felonies being the most severe and having the harshest penalties and Class E being the least severe and having the most lenient penalties. The general prison sentences for each classification of penalty are:
Class A – Life imprisonment or a prison sentence of between ten and 30 years.
Class B – A prison sentence of between five and 15 years.
Class C – A prison sentence of between three and ten years.
Class D – A prison sentence of up to seven years.
Class E – A prison sentence of up to four years.
Even a Class E felony conviction can significantly disrupt your life, which is why it’s vital to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney if you’re facing a felony charge.
In addition to the five felony classifications, Missouri has four main misdemeanor classifications from Class A to Class D.
There are many defenses you and your attorney can use when facing felony charges in Chesterfield, Missouri. Some of the most common defenses to serious charges include:
Mistaken Identity – Sometimes, police arrest and prosecutors file charges against the wrong person after a crime happens. To use a defense of mistaken identity, providing evidence that shows your description doesn’t match the description of the perpetrator can be crucial.
Alibi – If you were somewhere else at the time of the crime, you might be able to establish an alibi if other people or security camera footage saw you there.
Chain of Custody Issues – There may have been chain of custody issues that mean DNA evidence is no longer reliable. If the police stored DNA samples incorrectly or let an unauthorized person access them, your attorney can move to bar the prosecutors from using them as evidence.
Self-Defense – In cases of violent crimes, you may be able to make a successful self-defense claim. To do this, you must show that you believed you or someone else was at risk of imminent harm and that you believed using force was the only way to prevent that harm.
Entrapment – A common defense against felony drug charges, you may be able to show the jury that you would not have committed the crime without a push from undercover law enforcement agents.
Insufficient Evidence – There may simply not be enough evidence for the prosecution to prove that you committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Constitutional Violations – If police engaged in an unlawful search and seizure, the evidence they collected may not be admissible in court.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can help with your Chesterfield case by:
Investigating the Charges – Your attorney will investigate the charges you’re facing and gather evidence supporting your innocence. This evidence may include physical evidence from the alleged crime scene, digital evidence, and eyewitness statements.
Developing a Defense Strategy – Your attorney will develop a defense strategy based on the evidence they collected.
Negotiating a Plea Deal – Your attorney will enter plea deal negotiations with the prosecutors for lessened charges or penalties.
Representing You at Trial – Your attorney will represent you at trial and, depending on the circumstances of your case, fight for a not guilty verdict or a lesser sentence.
Representing You During Appeals – A criminal defense attorney can determine whether your case is eligible for an appeal and assist you, if so.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Chesterfield, contact Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. for a free phone consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps toward protecting your rights.
Use the following directions to reach our St. Louis office at 7710 Carondelet Avenue, Suite 350, from anywhere in the state:
From the North:
Take I-170 S
Exit onto Ladue Rd
Turn right onto Maryland Ave
Turn right onto N Hanley Rd
Turn right onto Carondelet Ave
The destination will be on the left
From the South:
Take I-44 E
Merge onto I-270 N
Take exit 26B for US-40 E/I-64 E
Take exit 31A for I-170 N
Exit onto Maryland Ave
Turn right onto N Hanley Rd
Turn right onto Carondelet Ave
The destination will be on the left
From the East:
Take I-64 W
Take exit 31A for I-170 N
Exit onto Maryland Ave
Turn right onto N Hanley Rd
Turn right onto Carondelet Ave
The destination will be on the left
From the West:
Take I-64 E
Take exit 31A for I-170 N
Exit onto Maryland Ave
Turn right onto N Hanley Rd
Turn right onto Carondelet Ave
The destination will be on the left
