A violent crime charge in St. Louis means potentially facing some of the most serious penalties under Missouri law. These cases often involve force, threats, or harm to another person. If you’re convicted, you could be sentenced to lengthy prison terms and steep fines. Even before a case goes to trial, an accusation can limit your freedom and interfere with housing and employment.
St. Louis prosecutors have significant resources and aggressively seek convictions. Violent crime charges like robbery and homicide demand a defense strategy that addresses both the legal and practical realities you’re now facing. Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. is proud to be among St. Louis’ top criminal defense firms. Thanks to more than 50 years of combined experience, we’re ready to step up and defend your case.
Our experienced attorneys can challenge the evidence and protect your rights every step of the way. Contact Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer who will fight for your future.
Violent crime charges in St. Louis cover a wide range of offenses, from physical confrontations to deadly encounters. While every case is different, certain charges appear frequently in St. Louis courts. The following are some of the most common violent crime cases Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. defends.
Assault
Assault charges in Missouri are classified into four degrees. First-degree assault is the most serious crime. This charge involves causing serious physical injury to another person or acting with the intent to cause death. Second-degree assault includes causing serious injury without intent to kill, while third-degree assault generally involves lesser injuries or threats. Each degree carries different sentencing ranges, but all can result in lengthy incarceration terms, fines, and a lasting criminal record.
Homicide Offenses
Homicide charges are among the most serious crimes in Missouri. First-degree murder involves deliberate, premeditated killing and carries the possibility of life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. Second-degree murder applies when a person intends to kill or knowingly causes serious injury that results in death. Felony murder (homicide while committing another felony) is also a second-degree murder charge. Manslaughter involves causing a death recklessly or in the heat of passion. These cases often carry significant prison terms and require an aggressive defense.
Robbery
Robbery charges combine elements of theft and violence. First-degree robbery involves taking property from another by using a deadly weapon or causing serious injury. Second-degree robbery does not require that a weapon be present but still involves force or the threat of force. A conviction can lead to years in prison and significant collateral consequences.
Violent Sex Offenses
Sex crimes involving force or threat of force carry severe penalties and lasting social consequences. Missouri often classifies rape, sodomy, and sexual assault as felonies. A conviction results in mandatory registration as a sex offender, which includes restrictions on where you can live or work.
Domestic Violence
Domestic assault charges apply when the alleged victim has a specific relationship to the accused, such as a spouse, former partner, or family member. Missouri has four degrees of domestic assault, which range from misdemeanors to felonies. These cases can lead to incarceration as well as protective orders. If you’re subject to a protective order, they may restrict contact with the alleged victim and limit your access to a shared home or children. Domestic violence allegations often arise in emotionally charged situations, making it important to investigate the evidence and challenge any unreliable testimony.
Armed Criminal Action
Using a deadly weapon while committing another felony is charged as armed criminal action. This offense is separate from the underlying crime and can carry mandatory prison time. Any punishments for this charge are in addition to the sentence for the original crime.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping charges can involve significant acts of violence, especially in cases prosecuted under first-degree kidnapping. This offense includes unlawfully removing or confining another person without consent and doing so to inflict injury, terrorize, commit sexual abuse, or interfere with law enforcement. These situations often involve physical force, threats, or weapons, making them among the most serious charges in Missouri’s criminal code. Second-degree kidnapping can also involve violence if force or intimidation is used to restrain the victim’s movements. Convictions carry lengthy prison sentences, especially when a weapon is involved or the victim suffers harm.
If you need help understanding your charges or want to know if we can defend a related offense, contact our firm to talk to one of our
knowledgeable St. Louis criminal defense attorneys.
You might have been charged with a violent crime, but that doesn’t mean a conviction is inevitable. The right defense strategy depends on the evidence available and your unique situation. Our violent crimes defense lawyers will review your case and identify the best path forward. For example:
Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. fights hard for the best possible outcome, whether that’s dismissal, acquittal, reduced charges, or another favorable outcome. Each case is different, and your defense may involve multiple strategies. Find out how we can approach your case when you contact us for a consultation.
Violent crime charges are serious. When your future is on the line, you need a defense team that knows how to win. Our attorneys have more than 50 years of combined trial experience, including backgrounds as a former prosecutor and a former military lawyer. We’ve handled thousands of criminal cases in state, federal, and municipal courts. That’s how we earned our reputation for thorough preparation and strong courtroom advocacy.
When you work with us, you’ll work directly with a compassionate attorney who listens to your concerns and keeps you informed at every stage. We dig into the facts to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and will fight for the best outcome possible. Past clients describe us as responsive, strategic, and relentless in their defense—and that same commitment applies to every case we take on.
Take the first step toward protecting your rights by contacting Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. today. Call or contact us online for a confidential consultation.
