GOV
Justice For All
Police reform, court reform, civic engagement
The Justice for All theme encompasses the following topics: Policing, Court Reform, and Civic Engagement. In this theme, we follow the impacts of local institutions including the police department and courts, and when possible, their impact specifically on St. Louis City residents.
Policing
The Policing topic examines the recruitment and role of police officers within the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in the justice system.
Court Reform
The Court Reform topic looks at sentencing outcomes at both the municipal and state court levels.
Civic Engagement
The Civic Engagement topic focuses on representation in government, community decisionmaking, and government responsiveness to resident needs.
More Information
What institutions make up the justice system in St. Louis?
The justice system in St. Louis is composed of many different public offices and government functions.
| Type | Institutions Operating in St. Louis City |
|---|---|
| Police | St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) Missouri State Highway Patrol |
| Courts | St. Louis City Municipal Court 22nd Judicial Circuit Court
|
| Corrections | St. Louis City Corrections Division Missouri Department of Corrections |
| Sheriff | St. Louis City Sheriff’s Department |
| Prosecutor | St. Louis County Circuit Attorney |
| Legal Defense | State of Missouri Public Defender’s Office Legal Services of Eastern Missouri |
Police
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is responsible for enforcing laws, preventing crime, responding to emergencies, and providing support services that enhance public safety in the City of St. Louis. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is responsible for enforcing traffic laws and promoting safety on state highways, including preventing the use of highways for drug trafficking.
Courts
Circuit courts handle felony and misdemeanor cases. Juvenile courts within the Circuit Court see juvenile cases (where defendants are age 17 and younger). Municipal Courts handle cases regarding municipal ordinance violations and traffic tickets. Civil courts deal with non-criminal disputes such as disability, housing, and immigration.
Corrections
The St. Louis City Corrections Division manages the city’s jails, located at the St. Louis City Justice Center and the Medium Security Institution. The Missouri Department of Corrections manages individuals on parole and probation.
Sheriff
The Sheriff’s Department is responsible for protecting the 22nd Circuit Court, prisoner transport and also serves court papers and eviction notices.
Prosecutor
The Circuit Attorney prosecutes cases for the 22nd Circuit Court.
Legal Defense
The Missouri State Defender’s Office provides legal representation to all indigent citizens accused of or convicted of crimes in Missouri at the levels of the State Trial Court, Appellate Court, Missouri Supreme Court, and United States Supreme Court. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is a nonprofit organization that appoints lawyers to represent defendants unable to pay for legal assistance.
Does this data track justice outcomes for all St. Louisans?
The City is not currently able to track justice outcomes for St. Louis residents if the event occurred outside the City. Events may include warrants issued for their arrest, sentencing by a non-St. Louis court, and traffic stops or arrests by police officers not employed with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
