Public Safety

Home 9 Divisions 9 Public Safety

The Public Safety Section is part of the Criminal Litigation Division and works extensively with local prosecutors and State and Federal law enforcement agencies. The Section consists of the Special Prosecutions Unit, Habeas Unit, Sexually Violent Predator Unit (SVP), Victim Services and Legal Support Unit.

The Special Prosecutions Unit is involved in a wide range of criminal prosecutions at the investigation and trial level throughout Missouri, many of them homicide cases and child sexual abuse cases. The Unit’s prosecutors are appointed to assist in serious or complex prosecutions at the request of a local prosecutor and by direction of the Governor, pursuant to Section 27.030, RSMo, or are appointed as special prosecutors by a court when local prosecutors have a conflict of interest, under Section 56.110, RSMo.

The Habeas Unit defends lawful convictions against habeas corpus actions filed by inmates in state prisons. Habeas corpus petitions, filed in the State or Federal courts, challenge the fact or length of confinement or the imposition of the death penalty. The Unit also defends other civil suits such as declaratory judgment actions and civil rights suits that challenge the length or duration of confinement of Missouri prison inmates or that may impact the imposition of the death penalty. Each year the Unit litigates hundreds cases in the circuit courts, the Missouri Court of Appeals, the Missouri Supreme Court, federal district courts, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Sexually Violent Predator Unit seeks the civil commitment of sexual predators who suffer from a mental abnormality making them more likely than not to commit future acts of predatory violence unless confined in a secure facility. The Unit defends the State when these committed individuals file a petition for release or when released individuals violate their release conditions and the State seeks to have them returned to the Department of Mental Health. Learn more about the SVP Act here.

The Victim Services and Legal Support Unit provides assistance to crime victims to help them understand their options, minimize their trauma, and stabilize their lives. Advocates conduct home visits, accompany victims to court, and help victims obtain compensation from the crime victim’s compensation fund as provided by Missouri law, and other support as needed. They also ensure the rights of crime victims are honored, that State and Federal laws regarding victims’ rights are followed, as well as see that they have a strong voice in the criminal justice system. Advocates often remain in contact with victims to keep them informed of direct appeals, post-conviction appeals, and habeas actions. The Unit’s legal assistants and paralegals provide investigative and legal support services to investigators and attorneys in all units of the Public Safety Section.

The Public Safety Section is headquartered in Jefferson City and has regional offices in St. Louis, and Springfield, and is composed of twenty-three attorneys, eight paralegals and legal secretaries, seven investigators, and three victim advocates.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a crime victim. How can I locate services?

The Attorney General’s Office provides a list of agencies crime victims can call for help as well as a list of advocates for crime victims in counties throughout Missouri. You can also access the Missouri Attorney General’s Office crime victims’ rights booklet.

Can the Attorney General’s Office investigate and/or prosecute my case?

The involvement of the Attorney General’s Office is generally limited to those cases where the Governor has appointed the Attorney General to provide assistance under Section 27.030, RSMo. or to cases where a judge has appointed the Attorney General under Section 56.110, RSMo., due to the local prosecutor’s conflict of interest. The Office generally does not independently initiate or take over a case from a local law enforcement agency or from a local prosecutor unless specifically authorized to do so.

Who supervises my city or county prosecutor, county sheriff, or police chief?

Local prosecuting attorneys and sheriffs are elected by city or county voters, and police chiefs are typically hired and overseen by cities’ elected officials. Local prosecuting attorneys, sheriffs, and police chiefs are not employees of the Attorney General’s Office and are not supervised by this Office. A local prosecutor determines whether charges should be filed in a case. If you disagree with a decision made by a local prosecuting attorney, sheriff, or police chief, you may want to consult with a private lawyer to discuss your individual rights and remedies. The Attorney General’s Office does not have the authority to override the decisions of a local prosecutor.

If you need to find a private lawyer, the Missouri Bar’s Find A Lawyer webpage includes a statewide Lawyer Search that can help you locate an attorney based on practice area and geographic location. In addition, the page offers links to an online Lawyer Directory and to information about discounted and pro bono services.

For further information about finding a lawyer, you may also wish to contact:

The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis through its online Lawyer Referral and Information Service or by calling BAMSL’s LRIS staff at 314-621-6681; or the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association through its online Lawyer Referral Service or by calling the SMBA at 417-831-2783.

Who takes complaints about private lawyers?

The Attorney General’s Office does not supervise private lawyers.

Complaints against lawyers may be filed with the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel.

Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel
3327 American Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-635-7400

Who takes complaints about judges?

The Attorney General’s Office does not supervise judges.

Complaints regarding judges may be sent to the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges.

Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges
2190 South Mason Road, Suite 201
St. Louis, MO 63131
314-966-1007

I have information about a crime. Who can I report this to?

You should contact your local police or sheriff’s department.

Can the Attorney General’s Office give me legal advice about my case?
No. The Attorney General’s Office can provide general information, direct you to pertinent agencies, or provide copies of statutes. The Attorney General is the attorney for the State of Missouri and its agencies and cannot offer legal advice or act on behalf of individuals. The Office does offer several publications that can be downloaded or received in hard copy. Likewise, the Missouri Bar’s Legal Topics webpage offers similar access to multiple publications. You may also want to contact a private lawyer to discuss your individual rights and remedies.

The Missouri Bar’s Find A Lawyer webpage includes a statewide Lawyer Search that can help you locate a private attorney based on practice area and geographic location. In addition, the page offers links to an online Lawyer Directory and to information about discounted and pro bono services

Can the Attorney General’s Office give me legal advice about my case?

No. The Attorney General’s Office can provide general information, direct you to pertinent agencies, or provide copies of statutes. The Attorney General is the attorney for the State of Missouri and its agencies and cannot offer legal advice or act on behalf of individuals. The Office does offer several publications that can be downloaded or received in hard copy. Likewise, the Missouri Bar’s Legal Topics webpage offers similar access to multiple publications. You may also want to contact a private lawyer to discuss your individual rights and remedies.

The Missouri Bar’s Find A Lawyer webpage includes a statewide Lawyer Search that can help you locate a private attorney based on practice area and geographic location. In addition, the page offers links to an online Lawyer Directory and to information about discounted and pro bono services

I have questions about concealed carry reciprocity. Where can I find additional information?

You may access the Attorney General’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity page as well as Missouri’s Concealed Carry Law.