Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in St. Louis (2026)

Updated November 2026 · By Kathleen Graves

Our verdict

The People’s Counsel is our #1 pick. Founder Charles “Chas” Barberio has spent more than ten years in dedicated criminal defense, the firm says it wins multiple felony jury trial acquittals every year, and it handles the full range — murder and violent crime, drug cases, DWI/DUI, federal crimes, and expungement — from its Central West End office. If you want a criminal-only boutique built around trial work, start here. The strongest alternative is Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2), a 12-attorney firm whose lead trial lawyer Scott Rosenblum has tried more than 400 cases, including about 100 murder cases — the deeper bench for the most serious felonies and federal cases.

Being charged with a crime in St. Louis — whether it is a DWI in Clayton, a drug charge in the city, or a federal case — is the kind of problem where the lawyer you call first matters. This list covers ten St. Louis-area criminal defense firms, checked in November 2026 against each firm’s own website and its Google listing. Ratings are shown with review counts, and where sources disagreed we say so rather than picking a flattering number.

Quick picks: if you need X, pick Y

• Felony trial → The People’s Counsel (#1). A criminal-only boutique that says it wins multiple felony jury trial acquittals every year.
• Serious felony, federal, or murder → Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2). A 12-attorney firm; Scott Rosenblum has tried 400+ cases, including about 100 murder cases.
• White-collar / high-stakes → Rogers Sevastianos & Bante (#3). Founders with 100+ years combined experience and 200+ jury trials, per the firm.
• Former-prosecutor team → Bruntrager & Billings (#4). The firm says all of its trial lawyers are former prosecutors; in practice since 1954.
• DWI → Travis Noble (#6). A former police officer and narcotics agent with 30+ years working DWI cases; the firm says he has tried more DWI cases than any attorney in Missouri.
• Appeals → Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7). A criminal-only two-attorney boutique; Tory Bernsen specialized in appellate advocacy.
• DWI, traffic, or expungement → Raghebi Law (#8). A specialized traffic, DWI, and drug defense firm with a 5.0-star Google rating from 200 reviews.
• Felony DWI or a federal drug case → JCS Law (#9). A criminal-only firm handling felony DWI, federal drug conspiracy, and federal firearms charges.
• Appeals or a wrongful-conviction case → Richard H. Sindel (#10). Practicing since 1973, with nationally noted appellate work overturning wrongful convictions.

Which type of defense do you need?

Felony trial — The People’s Counsel (#1), Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2), Bruntrager & Billings (#4), Combs Waterkotte (#5), Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7), JCS Law (#9), Richard H. Sindel (#10)

Federal & white-collar — The People’s Counsel (#1), Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2), Rogers Sevastianos & Bante (#3), Bruntrager & Billings (#4), Combs Waterkotte (#5), Travis Noble (#6), Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7), JCS Law (#9), Richard H. Sindel (#10)

DWI / DUI — The People’s Counsel (#1), Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2), Rogers Sevastianos & Bante (#3), Bruntrager & Billings (#4), Combs Waterkotte (#5), Travis Noble (#6), Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7), Raghebi Law (#8), JCS Law (#9), Richard H. Sindel (#10)

Appeals & expungement — Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2, appeals/post-conviction), Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7, appeals and expungement), Richard H. Sindel (#10, appeals, post-conviction, and wrongful conviction); The People’s Counsel (#1, expungement), Combs Waterkotte (#5, expungement), Raghebi Law (#8, expungement)

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in St. Louis at a Glance

1. The People’s Counsel

Google rating: 4.7 stars from 41 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 4542 W Pine Blvd, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63108 (Central West End). Second office: 222 S Central Ave, Suite 1004, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 669-6464. Website: thepeoplescounsel.com.

Best for: Felony trial defense, especially murder/violent crime and drug cases.

Not ideal for: Clients wanting a former prosecutor on their side (none on the team per published bios); also not a big-firm operation — small boutique.

The People’s Counsel is the law offices of founder Charles “Chas” Barberio, who graduated law school in 2008 and started his own firm the same year, during the recession. Early on he was mentored by St. Louis defense attorney Brad Kessler, who taught him jury selection. Alex Shenderov is also named in client reviews as a firm attorney.

It is a full-service criminal defense practice: drug crimes, violent crimes including murder and assault, DWI/DUI, burglary, stealing, expungement, federal crimes, traffic, and bail/bond. The firm says it wins multiple felony jury trial acquittals (not guilty verdicts) every year, has more than ten years of dedicated experience, and has successfully represented hundreds of people. It also handles some personal injury and employment discrimination.

2. Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson, P.C.

Google rating: 4.6 stars from 82 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 120 S Central Ave, Suite 130, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 862-4332. Website: rsfjlaw.com.

Best for: Serious felonies and federal cases; murder and white-collar defense.

Not ideal for: Minor traffic/municipal matters — the firm’s published focus is high-stakes felony and federal work; no traffic-ticket practice is listed.

Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson is a 12-attorney firm led by principals Scott Rosenblum, Joel Schwartz, Matt Fry, and Marc Johnson. Scott Rosenblum has tried more than 400 cases, including about 100 murder cases; he was voted Missouri’s Best Lawyer to call if charged with murder and for DWI, is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and was inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2016. Associate Reed Rosenblum (joined 2024) is a former Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in St. Louis County.

The firm handles state and federal criminal defense — violent crimes, sex crimes, drug offenses, white-collar/business crimes, DWI/DUI, juvenile matters, and appeals/post-conviction. In October 2026 it won full acquittals in jury trials in Adair County and Shelby County.

3. Rogers Sevastianos & Bante, LLP (RSB Law)

Google rating: 5.0 stars from 23 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 120 S Central Ave, Suite 160, Clayton, MO 63105 — across from the St. Louis County Courthouse. Phone: (314) 884-8991 (Google listing) — firm site lists (314) 354-8484. Website: rsblawfirm.com.

Best for: High-profile / high-stakes criminal cases and white-collar defense.

Not ideal for: Clients wanting a criminal-only boutique — the firm also does personal injury and family law.

RSB Law was founded by John P. Rogers, Noel Sevastianos, and Joe Bante, with Matthew P. Donahoe also on the team. Rogers, licensed since 1993, has tried more than 125 cases to verdict, has been named a Super Lawyer since 2006 and a Best Lawyer since 2023, and holds an AV Preeminent rating. The firm claims more than 100 years of combined experience, more than 200 jury trials, Top 100 Trial Lawyers status, and Million Dollar Advocates Forum membership.

Its criminal work covers DUI/DWI, assault, drug possession and trafficking, sex offenses, white-collar crime including embezzlement, bank and securities fraud, and Medicare/Medicaid fraud, plus murder and kidnapping, in state and federal court. The firm also handles personal injury and family law — criminal defense is one of three practice lines.

4. Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.

Google rating: 5.0 stars from 7 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 168 N Meramec Ave, Suite 400, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 646-0066. Website: law-stl.com.

Best for: Felony and federal defense with former prosecutors; drug and DWI cases.

Not ideal for: Clients who judge by review volume — only 7 Google reviews despite 70 years in business; also a mixed criminal + personal injury practice, not criminal-only.

Bruntrager & Billings was founded in 1954 by Raymond A. Bruntrager Sr. — three generations of trial lawyers, now including Charles H. Billings (30+ years; began his career in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office; also a municipal judge in Des Peres, Fenton, and Overland), Neil J. Bruntrager (SLU Law 1981; former St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office prosecutor; Best Lawyers since 2016, white-collar), Daniel Bruntrager, and Charles W. Billings. The firm says all of its trial lawyers are former prosecutors and calls itself the “Lawyers’ Lawyers” — attorneys who need a lawyer choose the firm. It represents the St. Louis Police Officers Association.

The practice covers criminal defense (felonies, drug possession and trafficking, DWI/traffic, assault, hit-and-run), federal cases, and white-collar defense, alongside personal injury, business law, and real estate. It has been in practice for more than 65 years.

5. Combs Waterkotte

Google rating: No verified Google rating. 231 S Bemiston Ave, Suite 260, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 900-4537 (also marketed as (314) 900-HELP). Website: combswaterkotte.com.

Best for: DWI/DUI and gun charges; high-volume criminal-only practice.

Not ideal for: Clients wanting a small boutique feel — this is a high-volume, multi-office operation; no juvenile practice is listed on the site.

Combs Waterkotte is led by Christopher Combs and managing partner Steven Waterkotte, who previously spent 2010–2023 at Henderson & Waterkotte, P.C. The firm claims more than 100 years of combined legal experience, more than 10,000 cases handled, and more than 1 million jail days saved. It has other offices in Kansas City, Southern Illinois, Camden County, and Chicago, by appointment only.

It is a dedicated criminal defense practice with a heavy DWI and gun-charge focus: DWI/DUI, drug, violent crimes, sex crimes, gun charges, theft/fraud, white-collar crime (bank fraud, forgery, insurance fraud), domestic violence, expungement, and traffic.

6. Travis Noble, P.C.

Google rating: 4.7 stars from 61 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 8000 Maryland Ave, Suite 910, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 970-5086 (Google listing) — firm site lists (314) 721-6614. Website: travisnoble.com.

Best for: DWI/DUI defense — the clearest DWI specialist on this list.

Not ideal for: Non-DWI felonies as a first choice — DWI dominates the firm’s published identity (though other felonies are handled); also note the firm lists family, immigration, and personal injury on some directories.

Travis L. Noble Jr. is a former police officer (1985–1990) and narcotics agent (1990–1995) who graduated from SLU Law in 1998 and has spent more than 30 years working DWI cases. He lectures nationally on drunk-driving defense, is a Missouri Super Lawyer and a member of the National College for DUI Defense, was named a Best Lawyer in St. Louis (DWI) by St. Louis Magazine, and sits on the board of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Phil Scanlon is also listed for criminal defense.

DWI/DUI defense is the core of the practice — first-time and repeat offenders, commercial drivers, underage motorists, felony DWI, vehicular homicide, breath and blood testing, and license hearings. The firm also handles drug crimes, violent crimes, white-collar, sex crimes, and federal cases. The firm says Noble has tried more DWI cases than any attorney in the State of Missouri.

7. Muhlenkamp & Bernsen, Attorneys at Law, LLC

Google rating: 4.7 stars from 13 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 8008 Carondelet Ave, Suite 311, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 347-3313 (Google listing) — directories also list (314) 499-7255. Website: mbstlcriminaldefense.com.

Best for: Criminal appeals and DWI defense from a criminal-only boutique.

Not ideal for: Clients who want a large firm with deep bench — two-attorney boutique; no personal injury or family practice to fall back on (by design).

Anthony Muhlenkamp and Tory Bernsen began working together at a large St. Louis criminal defense firm in 2008 and opened their own firm in 2015. Bernsen specialized in appellate advocacy, then worked for the State of Missouri prosecuting administrative DWIs and driver-license matters; Muhlenkamp continued in state and federal trial courts. Both were named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 / Top 100.

The firm is criminal defense only — Muhlenkamp’s bio says, “I do not dabble in other areas of law.” Its work runs from traffic offenses to murder, plus appeals: DWI/DUI, drug crimes, theft, sex crimes, federal cases, and expungement.

8. Raghebi Law LLC

Google rating: 5.0 stars from 200 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 230 S Bemiston Ave, Suite 1210, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 372-0336. Website: stldefenselawyer.com.

Best for: DWI/DUI, traffic, and drug cases — especially first-time charges where protecting a license and record matters — plus expungement.

Not ideal for: Serious federal cases, murder, or white-collar defense as a first choice — no federal/murder/white-collar practice is listed on the firm’s site; its published identity is traffic/DWI/drug/expungement.

Raghebi Law LLC is a traffic, DWI, and criminal defense firm led by managing attorney Christopher Kayvan Raghebi, a lifelong St. Louisan (Mehlville High School, UMSL 2009). He started his legal career in 2015 handling DUI, expungements, and drug defense, is licensed in Missouri and Illinois, is a member of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is a Super Lawyers Rising Star. The firm’s About page also claims a “Perfect 5.0 Google Rating,” and its Avvo review score is 5.0 from 35 client reviews.

The firm describes itself as a specialized criminal defense firm for traffic, DWI, and drug charges: traffic defense, DUI/DWI defense, drug defense, criminal defense, and expungement. Cases are handled remotely in many instances, with court appearances handled by the firm.

9. JCS Law — John C. Schleiffarth, P.C.

Google rating: 4.9 stars from 213 reviews, checked November 2026. 120 S Central Ave, Suite 1550, Clayton, MO 63105. Phone: (314) 561-9690 (firm site). Website: jcsattorney.com.

Best for: DWI defense (including felony DWI and CDL/professional-license cases) and federal drug/firearms cases from a criminal-only firm.

Not ideal for: Appeals / post-conviction relief as a first choice — no appeals practice is listed on the firm’s site (Muhlenkamp & Bernsen #7 and Sindel #10 cover appeals); also a small firm, not a large-firm bench.

JCS Law is the firm of founder John C. Schleiffarth (Super Lawyers list) and Jennifer Marie Kusmer (Avvo 4.9 from 7 client reviews; criminal defense since college, per her Avvo bio). It is criminal defense only: DWI and felony DWI, drug crimes, marijuana, domestic violence, violent crimes, white-collar crimes, stealing, sex crimes, murder/manslaughter, federal drug conspiracy, federal firearms charges, and federal child-pornography charges, plus municipal criminal defense and traffic.

Case summaries on the firm’s site show DWI dismissals and reductions, a federal stealing case resolved to probation, nine felony charges dismissed after an illegal search, and sex-crime charges dismissed.

10. Richard H. Sindel, Inc.

Google rating: 5.0 stars from 18 Google reviews, checked November 2026. 8000 Maryland Ave, Suite 910, Clayton, MO 63105 — the same suite as Travis Noble, P.C. (#6). Phone: (314) 721-7113 (firm site). Website: sindellaw.com.

Best for: Criminal appeals, post-conviction relief, and wrongful-conviction cases — the list’s clearest appeals specialist — plus serious felonies and white-collar defense.

Not ideal for: Clients who judge by Google review volume — only 18 Google reviews — and clients wanting a criminal-only boutique, since the firm also handles personal injury.

Richard H. Sindel, Inc. (also styled Sindel Noble / Sindel Law) is a second-generation firm founded in 1937 by Tebbs P. Forgey Jr. and William F. Sindel, Richard Sindel’s father. Richard H. Sindel has practiced since 1973, was named a Super Lawyer 2005–2024, and works in criminal defense, white-collar crime, and appellate litigation. Travis Noble joined the firm in 2001 and now runs his own firm, Travis Noble P.C. (#6), at the same address and suite.

The firm’s stated strength is appellate litigation, alongside criminal defense including white-collar crime, sex crimes, drug violations, and DUI, plus federal cases and Missouri state matters. Its nationally noted appellate work includes overturning Fredrico Lowe-Bey’s 1988 life sentence (featured in the “Burden of Proof” podcast) and the Ellen Reasonover wrongful-murder-conviction case (featured in John Grisham’s “Framed”; release after 18 years in prison, with a $14,000,000 compensation award). The firm also handles personal injury — criminal is not its only line. Public reviews are mixed: one review site carries several strongly negative reviews about communication and lateness alongside praise for appellate results.

How We Ranked These

We ranked on the firm’s criminal-defense focus and track record, the breadth of cases it handles (felony trial, federal, DWI, appeals, expungement), how clearly it publishes its attorneys, experience, and practice areas, and its Google rating read together with its review count. A 5.0-star rating from 7 reviews is not the same signal as a 4.7-star rating from 61 reviews, and a firm with no verified Google rating was not given a star figure at all.

Ratings informed the order but did not set it. The People’s Counsel is #1 because of its dedicated felony-trial focus — the firm says it wins multiple felony jury trial acquittals every year — its more than ten years of criminal-only work, and its full range from murder and drug cases to DWI, federal crimes, and expungement, not because it has the highest star figure. No business paid for placement, and no firm on this list was ranked higher for any commercial reason.

Before you call — a checklist

• Write down the charge (or charges) exactly as they appear on your paperwork, the court, and the next court date.
• Note whether you are out on bond and what the bond conditions are.
• Do not discuss the facts of your case on a recorded jail call, in a text message, or on social media — those can be used against you.
• Decide what matters most to you before the call: trial experience, a former prosecutor on the team, a DWI specialist, or someone who handles appeals.
• Ask whether the firm offers a consultation, what it covers, and whether there is a fee for it.
• Ask for the fee agreement in writing before you hire anyone — including what it covers, what it does not, and how payments work.

What to bring to a consultation

• Your charging documents, ticket, or citation, and any bond paperwork.
• The date, time, and courtroom for your next court date.
• Any paperwork from the police or the prosecutor, including discovery you have already received.
• A list of witnesses and anyone else who was present, with contact information if you have it.
• Your driver’s license and, for a DWI, any paperwork about your license or a breath/blood test.
• A short written timeline of what happened, in your own words, and a list of questions for the lawyer.

Note: this is general information to help you prepare, not legal advice. A lawyer you hire can advise you on your specific case.

Tips for choosing a criminal defense lawyer

• Match the lawyer to the charge. A DWI specialist like Travis Noble (#6) is a different fit from a murder-trial firm like Rosenblum Schwartz (#2) or an appeals specialist like Richard H. Sindel (#10).
• Read the rating and the review count together. A 5.0-star rating from 7 reviews (Bruntrager & Billings, #4) says less than a 4.7-star rating from 61 (Travis Noble, #6) — and a 5.0-star rating from 200 (Raghebi Law, #8) says more than either.
• Ask who will actually handle your case — the named partner or another attorney at the firm.
• If a firm does mostly something else (personal injury alongside criminal at Sindel, #10; personal injury and family law at Rogers Sevastianos, #3), weigh whether you want a criminal-only shop instead.
• Note the shared suite: Travis Noble (#6) and Richard H. Sindel (#10) both list 8000 Maryland Ave, Suite 910, Clayton — Noble previously worked at Sindel Noble, and they are now separate firms.
• If no Google rating exists for a firm (Combs Waterkotte, #5), that is a gap in public information, not proof of quality either way — ask the firm directly about its track record.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in St. Louis?

The firms on this list do not publish flat fees. Cost depends on the charge, whether the case goes to trial, and the lawyer’s experience — so ask each firm for a written fee agreement that spells out what is covered, what is not, and how payments work before you hire anyone.

How long does a criminal case take in St. Louis?

There is no fixed timeline. A misdemeanor or DWI can resolve in weeks or months; a serious felony or federal case can take a year or more, especially if it goes to trial. Your lawyer can give you a realistic range once they see the charges and the court schedule — no one can guarantee a date.

How do I choose between these firms?

Start with the charge. For a felony trial, The People’s Counsel (#1) is our pick; for a serious felony, federal case, or murder charge, Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2); for white-collar or high-stakes matters, Rogers Sevastianos & Bante (#3); for a former-prosecutor team, Bruntrager & Billings (#4); for DWI, Travis Noble (#6); for an appeal or wrongful-conviction case, Richard H. Sindel (#10), with Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7) also covering appeals.

Which firm on this list is highest-rated on Google?

Raghebi Law (#8) has the strongest rating-plus-count on the list: 5.0 stars from 200 Google reviews. Three other firms also show 5.0 stars, but on much thinner bases: Rogers Sevastianos & Bante (#3, 23 reviews), Richard H. Sindel (#10, 18 reviews), and Bruntrager & Billings (#4, just 7 reviews). Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson (#2) is now listed at 4.6 stars from 82 reviews — read the star figure together with the count.

Who is the best DWI lawyer on this list?

Travis Noble, P.C. (#6) is the clearest DWI specialist: Noble is a former police officer and narcotics agent with 30+ years working DWI cases, and the firm says he has tried more DWI cases than any attorney in Missouri. Combs Waterkotte (#5) and Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7) also list DWI as a core focus, as do Raghebi Law (#8) and JCS Law (#9).

Can I get a criminal record expunged in St. Louis?

Several firms on this list handle expungement: The People’s Counsel (#1), Combs Waterkotte (#5), Muhlenkamp & Bernsen (#7), and Raghebi Law (#8). Whether your record qualifies depends on the offense and your history, so ask one of those firms directly — this list cannot tell you whether your case is eligible.

The bottom line for St. Louis

Nine of the ten firms on this list are in Clayton, steps from the St. Louis County Courthouse, with The People’s Counsel in the Central West End. Wherever your case is heard, start with the charge, use the quick picks above to narrow the field to two or three firms, and call them before your next court date. The consultation is where you will learn who actually fits — and who will be straight with you about fees, timeline, and odds.

Spot an error? Tell us.

Updated November 2026 by Kathleen Graves.