Under the leadership of Wesley Bell, the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office is being reorganized to better serve victims of homicides, serious crimes and domestic violence.
Homicide Team:
The death of a loved one from violence can be among the most devastating experiences a person can face. Homicide prosecutors and victim advocates are among the most skilled and experienced members of our staff, and they know how vulnerable a family can be under such difficult circumstances. They are committed to speaking for the victim and his or her loved ones in a court of law, ensuring that the deceased is not forgotten, and holding the offender accountable. Homicide prosecutors work closely with investigators and detectives from St. Louis County and local police departments to thoroughly investigate every homicide. This team effort helps our office build strong cases that lead to the identification and prosecution of St. Louis County’s most dangerous criminals.
Domestic Violence Team:
One in three women will be abused in her lifetime. Our office is addressing that epidemic head on by implementing a specialized unit of prosecutors that are specifically trained to handle domestic violence cases.
Prioritizing justice in domestic violence cases means using smart prosecution strategies and sufficient resources to ensure victims receive compassion and support at every step. Our office now has an individualized Domestic Violence Team that will provide better support for victims during their critical journey through the prosecution process. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is committed to furthering the the collective efforts of law enforcement, medical professionals and advocates to protect and uplift victims of domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is at risk, please contact one of these resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Safe Connections: 314-531-2003
ALIVE: 314-993-2777
Sexual Assault Team:
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has a specialized unit that focuses entirely on cases involving sexual assault and crimes against children. These cases involve some of the most vulnerable victims of crime. Our office recognizes that these sensitive cases require and deserve special attention. Therefore, the attorneys on our Sexual Assault Team undergo specialized training on how to prosecute these crimes and advocate for the victims. This team works diligently with law enforcement, Children’s Division, and other local agencies to ensure the safety of children throughout the area and to seek justice for victims of sexual assault.
In addition, the Sexual Assault Team works closely with victims and their family members early in the court process to make sure they understand the criminal justice system while also assisting them with resources and connection to emotional support by working cohesively with our Victim Service Division.
Click here for more information on our Victim Service Division.
Other useful sites:
Missouri Family Services: https://mydss.mo.gov/
St. Louis County Family Court: https://wp.stlcountycourts.com/family-court/
Missouri Child Abuse Hotline: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm
Children’s Advocacy Service of Greater St. Louis: http://www.stlouiscac.org/
Conviction & Incident Review Unit:
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, shortly after taking office in 2019, established St. Louis County’s Conviction and Incident Review Unit (CIRU) to further the office’s commitment to justice, professional ethics, integrity, and protection of the innocent. The CIRU:
obtains the exoneration of the innocent and ‒ through training, education, and continual improvement of SLCPA office practices and procedures
promotes a culture of the highest integrity within the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and
handles all matters relating to police office-involved shootings and any cases where the lawfulness of police conduct is an issue.