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5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in St. Louis (2026)

Ranked by real Google ratings and review volume · How we chose

Lorian Hartfield
By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Updated · 8 min read

We compared 18 criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis on Google Maps · 5 listed · How we rank

A DWI stop or a felony charge in Missouri leaves very little time to shop around. The criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis below hold 1,396 Google reviews between them, with ratings from 4.4 to 5.0, and the review counts run from 103 up to 534 for Combs Waterkotte.

Short answer: The most-reviewed criminal defense firm in St. Louis here is Combs Waterkotte (4.8 stars across 534 Google reviews), followed by Eric Abramson, Attorney at Law (a perfect 5.0 across 372 reviews) and JCS Law - John C Schleiffarth, P.C. (4.9 across 228). Fees vary by charge and court, so none are quoted here; ask each office about flat fees and payment plans.
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Defense Firms Side by Side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Combs Waterkotte 4.8 ★ 534 Serious and federal charges View ›
2 Eric Abramson, Attorney at Law 5.0 ★ 372 DUI, traffic and expungement View ›
3 JCS Law - John C Schleiffarth, P.C. 4.9 ★ 228 DWI and felony cases View ›
4 Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. 4.9 ★ 103 Dismissals and tickets View ›
5 The Hammer Law Firm, LLC 4.4 ★ 159 Payment plans and expungements View ›
5 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in St. Louis (2026)

Who to call, and for what

Combs Waterkotte logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Combs Waterkotte

4.8534 Google reviews

Combs Waterkotte is a criminal defense firm that describes itself as serving St. Louis, Chicago and all of Missouri and Illinois. Its site lists defense for domestic violence, drug charges, felonies, misdemeanors, gun charges, sex crimes and violent crimes, plus DWI and orders of protection, and it mentions affordable payment options. Google also lists a personal injury category for the firm, but criminal defense is what it leads with.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe attorneys who explain each step and answer questions patiently
  • One reviewer praises the handling of a federal case
  • Clients mention a team of attorneys, investigators and staff working on preparation
  • The firm replies to reviews

Worth knowing

  • Its Google rating of 4.8 includes 18 one-star ratings among 534
Reputation scorecardrank in St. Louis
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume534 · 97th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown96% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It has the deepest review history on this page and strong marks on serious cases, which makes it a sensible first call after a felony or federal charge. Ask which attorney would handle your matter.

Website+1314-900-4357 Directions

231 S Bemiston Ave Ste 1100, St. Louis, MO 63105

Eric Abramson, Attorney at Law logo
#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Eric Abramson, Attorney at Law

5.0372 Google reviews

Eric Abramson is a St. Louis attorney who represents clients in Missouri and Illinois in criminal defense, DUI and DWI, traffic cases, expungements and personal injury. His site lists a free consultation and 24/7 availability and says he appears in courts across St. Louis City, St. Louis County and nearby Illinois. Google files him under criminal justice attorney and general practice.

What people praise

  • Reviewers say he keeps clients updated by phone, text and email
  • A speeding ticket reduced to a non-moving violation without a court appearance, per one reviewer
  • One client reports a warrant lifted within a day
  • A reviewer who needed an expungement says the paperwork was handled promptly
  • One reviewer calls his rates reasonable

Worth knowing

  • Much of the praise concerns traffic and expungement work, so ask about experience with your specific charge
Reputation scorecardrank in St. Louis
Rating5 / 5
Review volume372 · 92nd
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Every one of his 372 Google ratings is five-star, which is a clean record. He fits traffic, DUI and record-clearing needs best, so check his fit before calling about a major felony.

Website+1314-753-1372 Directions

7750 Clayton Rd #200, St. Louis, MO 63117

JCS Law - John C Schleiffarth, P.C. logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

JCS Law - John C Schleiffarth, P.C.

4.9228 Google reviews

JCS Law - John C Schleiffarth, P.C. is a St. Louis criminal defense firm. Its website lists DWI defense, drug crimes, gun charges, sex crimes, probation violations, violent crimes and traffic cases, along with federal defense including drug, weapons, healthcare fraud and white collar matters. The site also advertises a free consultation and flexible payment terms.

What people praise

  • A reviewer says a DUI charge was dismissed and expunged
  • One client faced five felony charges and describes a result with probation and no jail time
  • Reviewers describe quick calls and texts back, including during a vacation
  • One client had probation terminated and later used the team to pull court records from several states

Worth knowing

  • Its most recent reviews on this page are a few months old
Reputation scorecardrank in St. Louis
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume228 · 86th
Confidencehigh
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown97% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A well-rated firm with a wide menu of state and federal charges, and reviewers who stress communication. A good option when DWI or a multi-count case is involved.

Website+1314-912-2884 Directions

120 S Central Ave, St. Louis, MO 63105

Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C.

4.9103 Google reviews

Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. is a St. Louis criminal defense practice. Its Google listing identifies it as a criminal justice attorney, and its reviews name attorneys Joe Flees, Dan Juengel and Michael Balk. Clients describe criminal cases and traffic tickets, and the firm answers reviews with personal notes.

What people praise

  • One reviewer says their case was dismissed after about six months
  • Clients describe honest expectations, with nothing promised beyond what was realistic
  • Reviewers mention updates throughout the case
  • A ticket matter is described as handled without hassle

Worth knowing

  • 103 reviews is the smallest base on this page, so the rating rests on less feedback
Reputation scorecardrank in St. Louis
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume103 · 75th
Confidencemoderate
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown97% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 rating with plainspoken praise for honesty and updates. The review base is smaller than the others, which is the only reason it sits below firms with more history.

Website+1314-530-3467 Directions

7710 Carondelet Ave Ste 350, St. Louis, MO 63105

The Hammer Law Firm, LLC logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

The Hammer Law Firm, LLC

4.4159 Google reviews

The Hammer Law Firm, LLC is a criminal defense practice whose website says that, after Mark Hammer's retirement, it has joined The JMH Law Firm, LLC, with offices in St. Charles and St. Louis. The site lists felony and misdemeanor defense, traffic tickets, DWI and personal injury, and advertises affordable rates and payment plans. Its Google address is on Washington Avenue in St. Louis.

What people praise

  • Reviewers praise attorneys Mark Hammer, Nicole and Matt Wayman by name
  • One parent says help came quickly for a son who needed a lawyer in a hurry
  • A client describes an expungement handled without pressure
  • Clients say staff made a stressful time feel more comfortable

Worth knowing

  • Its 4.4 rating is the lowest here, though most of its 159 ratings are five-star
  • The firm's site says Mark Hammer has retired, so confirm which attorney will handle your case
Reputation scorecardrank in St. Louis
Rating4.4 / 5
Review volume159 · 81st
Confidencemoderate
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown84% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: It ranks fifth because the rating sits below the others, not because of volume. Many reviewers are happy with individual attorneys, so ask who will take your case.

Website+1314-334-3807 Directions

1430 Washington Ave #325, St. Louis, MO 63103

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How the scorecards work

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the live Google star average. Review volume is how many people have rated the firm, compared with other criminal defense lawyers in St. Louis. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from hundreds of people counts for more than a 5.0 from a handful. Recency shows how recently reviews are still arriving. No business can pay to change these numbers.

What does a criminal defense lawyer cost in St. Louis?

Fees depend on the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor, felony or federal matter, how many court dates it needs, and whether the case goes to trial. Many firms offer flat fees or payment plans, and the sites for Combs Waterkotte, JCS Law and The Hammer Law Firm mention payment options. We haven’t found prices published on these pages, so ask each office for a written fee agreement.

Where these offices are

Several of these firms keep offices in Clayton rather than inside the city itself, while The Hammer Law Firm is on Washington Avenue in St. Louis and also lists an office in St. Charles. Most cover both St. Louis City and St. Louis County courts, and Combs Waterkotte and Eric Abramson say they also take Illinois cases. Looking for a criminal defense lawyer near me? Each listing shows a phone number and directions.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Have you handled my specific charge in this court, and who would be the attorney on my case?
  • Is your fee flat or hourly, and what does it cover through trial?
  • Do you offer payment plans?
  • How quickly do you return calls, and how will you keep me updated?
  • What are the realistic outcomes, and what is the next court date?

Frequently asked questions

Should I hire a firm that also does traffic or injury work?

Several firms here handle traffic tickets or personal injury alongside criminal defense. For a felony or federal charge, ask how much of the firm’s caseload is criminal and who would try your case.

Do any of these firms take cases in Illinois?

Combs Waterkotte and Eric Abramson both say on their websites that they serve clients in Missouri and Illinois. Confirm that with the office before you call about an Illinois charge.

Where to start

Combs Waterkotte is the safest default for serious charges on review history alone, Eric Abramson suits traffic, DUI and expungement matters with a 5.0 rating, and JCS Law is a strong pick for DWI and felony cases. Whoever you call, get the fee in writing before you sign.

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