{"id":374472,"date":"2023-11-20T20:08:21","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T01:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-20T20:08:21","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T01:08:21","slug":"missouri-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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In Missouri, the prosecuting attorney serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the county. The prosecutor’s office holds the sole authority within the county to prosecute violations of state criminal laws. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The office handles misdemeanors and felonies. Each county maintains a prosecuting attorney’s office. Many prosecutors have a team that includes assistant prosecuting attorneys.<\/p>\r\n

Some jurisdictions in Missouri, such as the cities of St. Louis<\/a> and Jefferson City<\/a>, call attorneys with similar responsibilities \u201ccity attorneys." Other states call attorneys with similar responsibilities \u201cdistrict attorneys."<\/p>\r\n

When a crime is reported, law enforcement agencies conduct an investigation. The law enforcement agency submits its report to the prosecuting attorney. The prosecuting attorney reviews the report and decides whether to file criminal charges. Sometimes, the prosecutor will call for a grand jury<\/a> investigation.<\/p>\r\n

Prosecuting attorneys handle criminal cases ranging from:<\/p>\r\n