Criminal lawyers represent and defend clients who have been accused of committing a crime. They represent their client at each phase of the case from the arrest
to a possible appeal after a conviction. Some criminal lawyers are privately hired while others are provided by the government. These lawyers are referred to as public defenders.
A criminal lawyer will negotiate with the prosecutor in an attempt to reduce the charges or lessen the sentence. The criminal lawyer should help the defendant to understand the charges against him and determine if the defendant should accept a plea bargain. The criminal lawyer will be familiar with laws and rules as well as court customs and procedures.
You will need to find a lawyer in the St. Louis area that specializes in cases involving your specific charge. It is important to find a lawyer you feel comfortable with. Open communication between the defendant and his or her attorney is very important so that a clear understanding of the situation is achieved.