Post-Conviction Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri

The State of Missouri provides post-conviction remedies to criminal defendants who have been convicted after entering a guilty plea and those who have been found guilty by a judge or jury after a trial. A defendant cannot seek post-conviction relief until his criminal conviction is final. A criminal conviction is final after the defendant’s appeal has been denied or after the time for filing an appeal has passed. Although Missouri law provides for other forms of post-conviction relief (for example habeas corpus, motion to vacate guilty plea, DNA testing), this guide will address only Missouri Supreme Court Rules 24.035 (post-conviction motion for conviction after guilty plea) and 29.15 (post-conviction motion for conviction after jury trial).

General Types Of Claims That Can Be Raised

Both rules allow a defendant to challenge a conviction or sentence which violates the Missouri or federal Constitution.  Constitutional claims usually will allege that either trial or appellate counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel.  Because the claims that can be raised on the appeal of a guilty plea are very limited, Rule 24.05 motion claims usually will allege that plea counsel gave advice that affected the voluntariness of the guilty plea. In a Rule 29.15 proceeding, the movant will usually allege that the trial counsel’s performance was in some way deficient and that it had a prejudicial effect on the defendant’s case. In addition, claims that the sentencing court was without jurisdiction to impose a sentence or that the defendant’s sentence was in excess of the law can be raised under both rules.

Where And When Motions Must Be Filed

A post-conviction motion must be filed in the county circuit court where the defendant was tried or entered a guilty plea. The deadline for filing a motion depends upon whether the defendant appealed his sentence and conviction. If there was an appeal, the motion is due 90 days after the appellate court issues what is called its mandate (this means the appeal is considered final).  If no appeal, then the defendant must file the motion within 180 days of being delivered to the Missouri Department of Corrections. These are strict time limits and a defendant’s failure to file within them generally will bar relief.  Also, these rules provide for no “prison mailbox rule,” in other words, the motion is not considered filed until it is received by the court and not from the date of mailing.

Proceedings In Motion Court

When a circuit court receives the motion, it is filed as a civil case and assigned to the judge who presided over the defendant’s trial or guilty plea. Postconviction motions are usually filed by the defendant without counsel, which is referred to proceeding pro se. If the motion is filed pro se and the movant (previously the defendant) is without money, the motion court (previously the trial court) will appoint counsel. Whether the movant retains counsel or is appointed counsel, counsel will have up to 90 days to file an amended motion. Counsel may also elect not to file an amended motion but must notify the movant before doing so and file such notice with the court.  All claims must be included in the amended motion. The post-conviction rules provide for the filing of only one amended motion.

Once the amended motion is filed, the court will determine whether an evidentiary hearing is necessary. The motion court does not have to grant a hearing if the claims raised in the amended motion are refuted by the record or are without merit.  If the court grants an evidentiary hearing, the movant must call witnesses and present evidence to support his claims. If the movant fails to present evidence as to a claim. he has effectively abandoned that claim and no further review is necessary. The movant may or may not attend the evidentiary hearing depending on the motion court’s decision. Some courts will “writ in” (order that the movant be present) to testify and some will order that the movant’s deposition be taken for admittance at the hearing. The testimony of other witnesses can also be taken by deposition.

Regardless of whether an evidentiary hearing is held or not, the motion court will make a decision and enter “Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law” with its order and judgment. Sometimes the court will allow both parties to submit proposed “Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law” to aid the court in making a decision. If the court has already decided to grant or deny the amended motion, however, the court sometimes will have the prevailing party draft the proposed findings and conclusions. Finally, the losing party can appeal an adverse decision. Because a post-conviction motion is a civil action, the judgment is not final for 30 days (the motion court retains jurisdiction during this period for post-judgment pleadings). Upon the expiration of the 30 days, the losing party will have 10 days to file a notice of appeal.

Conclusion

If a defendant has the financial means to retain postconviction counsel, it is important that he or she does so early in the process because of the short time limits for filing an amended motion. Also, if retaining counsel, it is important to retain someone with post-conviction relief experience. If a defendant will initially proceed pro se, he or she must file the motion within the time required or potentially lose any remedy. If the defendant does not have the means to hire counsel, the court will appoint counsel.