Facing a criminal charge in Missouri

Bond and pretrial release in Missouri

Article I Section 20 of the Missouri Constitution provides that all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties except for capital offenses when proof is evident or presumption great. Missouri Supreme Court Rule 33.01 governs release, directing the court to release the defendant on personal recognizance or unsecured bond unless that will not reasonably assure appearance, in which case additional conditions or monetary bond may be ordered. Rule 33.05 governs review of conditions. The Missouri Supreme Court amended Rule 33 effective July 1, 2019 to require that a financial condition may not be imposed if the defendant lacks the financial ability to meet it, unless detention is otherwise authorized. The amended rule prefers non-monetary conditions when sufficient.

Bond amounts, conditions, and timelines vary by county and judge. Confirm with counsel or the court.

Criminal defense attorneys serving Missouri

Our directory is still building in Missouri. Public-defender intake is available now.

Record clearing in Missouri

Missouri expungement of criminal records is governed by RSMo 610.140. The statute provides a petition-based pathway covering many misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and certain felonies after a waiting period, subject to a list of excluded offenses. The statute provides a three-year waiting period for felonies and a one-year waiting period for misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and infractions, each measured from completion of sentence. Class A felonies, dangerous felonies, sex offenses, offenses requiring registration, and certain intoxication-related driving offenses are excluded. The petition is filed in the court of conviction.

Eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition vs. automatic pathway depend on the conviction class and the date of the offense. Confirm with counsel or the court record.

Public defender intake in Missouri

Missouri State Public Defender serves STATEWIDE County. Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. We do not refer you to a specific public defender and we do not represent you.

Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. LawSensai does not refer you to a public defender and does not represent you. This packet is a courtesy summary you can share with your public defender or their intake staff. You remain responsible for applying to the court for appointed counsel.