Working with prosecuting attorneys

Assisting with investigations and prosecutions

The Attorney General's Office assists prosecuting attorneys in complicated trials or are appointed as special prosecutors when there is a conflict of interest. This legal work saved counties more than $2.9 million in 2007.

Attorneys in the Public Safety Division handled 703 special prosecutions in 90 counties and St. Louis in 2007. They obtained nine first-degree murder convictions that resulted in seven sentences of life without parole and two death sentences.

The division's Meth Prosecution Strike Force can assist counties in investigating and prosecuting methamphetamine cases. The High Technology and Computer Crime Unit can help prosecutors and law enforcement investigate computer- and Internet-related crimes.

Prosecuting attorneys who have questions about a case or need assistance can e-mail Andrea Spillars, chief counsel for the Public Safety Division. Her phone number is 573-751-9635.

Prosecuting attorneys can also search the Expert Witness Database for instances of expert witness testimony. Transcripts of expert witness testimony may be requested by completing a simple online form.

The Criminal Division represents the state in every felony case appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court and Missouri Court of Appeals. In 2007, the Attorney General's Office defended 706 state felony appeals and 582 habeas corpus petitions (271 filed in federal court and 311 in state court).

Legal Questions

County prosecutors can e-mail Shaun Mackelprang, chief counsel for the Criminal Division, if they have questions about issues such as criminal law, habeas corpus or detainers. His phone number is 573-751-0272.

OFFICIAL ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
The Attorney General is authorized to issue formal opinions to certain government officials, including county prosecuting attorneys, on questions of law that relate to their governmental duties. Online opinions are available from 1974. Paper copies of individual opinions issued from 1933 are available by e-mailing us (Attention: opinion clerk) or calling 573-751-3321.

Missouri Office of Prosecution Services

The MOPS office is a state governmental entity established in Section 56.750, et seq. to assist prosecuting attorneys. It is located in the Attorney General's Office.

The office provides technical assistance to prosecuting attorneys. The staff trains prosecuting attorneys and is the primary source of continuing legal education for prosecutors. The MOPS office conducts two statewide conferences per year as well as trial schools and numerous specialized conferences throughout the year.

The office also updates the Missouri Prosecutors Trial Casebook and Missouri Prosecutors Form Book. The office serves as a clearinghouse of materials for prosecuting attorneys. It publishes a monthly newsletter that includes caselaw updates and information about MOPS programs.

Front Line Report

The Attorney General's Office produces an issues-oriented newsletter for Missouri's law enforcement personnel and county prosecutors. Front Line Report details changes in state laws and case law that affect law enforcement. The report also contains information geared toward the continuing education of law enforcement, including upcoming seminars and training sessions.

Subscribe to Front Line Report

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