Criminal Defense

Criminal defense encompasses a broad scope of legal areas and typically involves lawsuits prosecuted by the state or federal government for crimes committed in violation of state and federal laws or regulations applied to individuals as well as corporations.

Our criminal defense attorneys at Leritz, Plunkert & Bruning represent clients in many different types of criminal areas, ranging from complex issues arising out of allegations of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud to fundamental legal issues and rights affecting the everyday citizen. Our attorneys have vast experience in litigation at every level from the United States Supreme Court to the local municipal court. Our clients have ranged from the most affluent to the indigent.

Pre Indictment, Pre Charge, Grand Jury
Our attorneys collectively have over 40 years of experience dealing with law enforcement offices and agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Postal Inspector, the Department of Treasury, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm, the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General, Security Exchange Commission, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies. We have a working and respected relationship with the prosecuting attorney offices at the municipal, state and federal levels.

In many instances, successful litigation dispositions occur as a result of the negotiated intersession of our attorneys prior to the presentation of formal charges to a court or grand jury. In some cases, charges may be avoided all together by candid and skillful discussions with individuals representing law enforcement. In addition, it is important for those who are subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury have adequate representation to anticipate legal consequences and ramifications that may arise from their proposed testimony. Many of our clients have avoided prosecution or have faced reduced charged offenses due to our efforts at this stage of the litigation.

Trial Level
Our attorneys have tried to conclusion over 200 cases in over 25 judicial circuits and districts in the state and federal courts in Missouri, Illinois and California. This experience is invaluable to the individual who faces a trial before a jury or a judge in drawing from our vast experience and knowledge in the preparation of a case for trial, selection of jurors, cross examination of prosecution witnesses, argument and the preservation of legal issues for appeal. In addition, our reputation in the legal community as experienced litigators assists our clients in obtaining favorable dispositions through plea negotiations in the event the client desires not to proceed to trial.

Appeals
Our attorneys have been retained to raise appeals of first impression before the state and federal appellate systems including the United States Supreme Court. Our attorneys have successfully raised and litigated fundamental and novel legal issues before the state Court of Appeals, the Missouri Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Our attorneys have successfully challenged in post convictions appeal sentences of death; wherein, an individual was removed from death row.

To arrange a consultation to discuss your criminal defense issues please contact our office via email or phone us at 314-231-9600