Client was charged with Assault in the first Degree and Armed criminal action after allegedly shooting a man during an altercation. Client had previously been to prison and was on parole and probation for the same charges, with a backup sentence of 15 years. We were able to get the client discharged from his probation due to legal technicality saving him from an automatic 15 year sentence. After a preliminary hearing on the new charge, we were able to show that the eyewitnesses were not credible and that the client likely had acted in self-defense. The state agreed to reduce the charges to a low level felony and agreed to a five year sentence. As a result, our client will be eligible for parole after two and a half years.

Client was charged with DWI drugs after allegedly almost hitting a police car, pulling over on curb, failing all field sobriety tests, and refusing a blood draw. He faced a one year revocation of his Driver’s license for refusing the blood test. We were able to show that the officer’s version wasn’t credible, that the client passed a drug test a week after the stop, and that the client likely failed the field sobriety tests because he was forced to walk 90 yards through a muddy field before the tests were administered.

Crawford County man was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine after police found methamphetamine in his truck and admitted to ownership of the drugs. We used Missouri’s Good Samaritan law to argue that the drugs were found as a direct result of our client seeking medical attention for a passenger in the truck. As a result, the charges were dismissed entirely and our client can move on with his life with a clean record.

A St. Louis City Man was charged with Murder and Armed Criminal Action after allegedly shooting and killing a man in downtown St. Louis. Attorney Brian Cooke served as co-counsel to notable St. Louis criminal lawyer Phil Eisenhauer during the trial and re-trial of the defendant. Shortly before the third trial, the State dismissed the case.

Client was charged with Murder in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend at a party in front of multiple eyewitnesses. The initial offer was 25 years in prison. After a vigorous investigation, we were able to persuade the prosecutor to reduce the murder charge to manslaughter and to dismiss the armed criminal action charge altogether. As a result, client will be eligible for parole within the next three years.

Sometimes the toughest cases don’t make for the most sensational headlines. A client was on probation to a particularly tough St. Louis City Judge and probation officer. After multiple violations, multiple arrests while on probation, and a prior revocation, the judge and probation officer had vowed to send the client to prison for seven years. Despite these tough circumstances, attorney Brian Cooke was able to get the client into a drug treatment program, sober living housing, and Suboxone treatment. Through his contacts in the recovery community, Mr. Cooke was able to arrange for a grant which paid for all of the aforementioned, at no expense to the client. During the revocation hearing, Mr. Cooke presented the plan to the judge, forcefully arguing over the P.O. that it would do much more to “further recovery than playing spades in the penitentiary for seven years”. The judge reluctantly agreed, reducing the client’s bond from “no bond allowed” to a personal recognizance. After successfully completing the treatment program, the judge agreed to continue the client on probation instead of prison sentence. As a result of client’s outstanding progress, client will be discharged from probation shortly.

A St. Louis man was charged with burglary Second Degree and Felony Stealing after being accused of stealing appliances from a home. Through a thorough investigation, we found witnesses who could testify that our client was helping someone move and had no idea that the appliances were not supposed to be removed from the home. Realizing that we were well prepared and ready to fight, the prosecutor dismissed the case.

Our Client was charged with felony possession after police claimed he dropped a heroin capsule on the ground while being arrested for warrants. Through careful cross examination, Attorney Brian Cooke forced the officer to admit that he didn’t actually see him drop the capsule, and therefore he couldn’t say for certain how it got there. We also challenged the justification for the initial traffic stop. Realizing that this was a weak case and the officer had some credibility issues, the judge ruled that the initial stop was illegal. Therefore, all evidence after the stop was suppressed. The state had no choice but to dismiss the case.

A St. Louis County man was charged with Assault 2nd/DWI after allegedly flipping his car and causing the passenger’s hand to be nearly severed.