Chesterfield Domestic Violence Attorney

Facing A Domestic Charge In Chesterfield

A domestic violence arrest can change your life in a matter of hours. You may be taken from your home, served with a no-contact order, and left wondering what will happen when you go to court. If this has happened in Chesterfield or elsewhere in St. Louis County, you do not have to face it alone.

At The Hammer Law Firm, LLC, we defend people accused of domestic assault and related offenses throughout Missouri. Our attorneys bring more than 60 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case. As former prosecutors, we understand how the state builds these cases, and we use that insight to guide our clients through a very stressful process.

You may have many questions about jail, your family, and your record. Our role is to give you clear information, protect your rights, and help you make decisions that look beyond the next court date. 

We invite you to contact us as soon as possible to talk confidentially about what happened and what comes next.

What is Considered Domestic Violence?

Under Missouri law, domestic violence is not limited to physical battery. It encompasses a pattern of behavior used to gain power and control over a "domestic victim."

A domestic victim is defined as:

• Current or former spouses.
• Persons related by blood or marriage.
• Persons who live together or have lived together in the past.
• Persons in a current or past "continuing social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature."
• Co-parents of a child.

Legally, domestic violence includes:

• Assault: Purposely or knowingly causing physical injury or placing someone in fear of immediate harm.
• Coercion: Using force or threats to compel someone to do something they have a right to refuse.
• Harassment: A course of conduct that causes substantial emotional distress, such as following someone or lingering outside their home.
• Stalking: Repeatedly following or harassing another person, including through technological means like GPS tracking.
• Unlawful Imprisonment: Holding or detaining someone against their will.

Missouri Domestic Violence Laws

Missouri takes a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse. Recent legislative updates in 2026, such as Senate Bill 928, have tightened regulations around these offenses. Notably, law enforcement now has the authority to hold individuals arrested for domestic violence for up to 48 hours without a warrant (increased from 24 hours), providing a "cooling off" period and extra time for victims to seek protection.

Additionally, Missouri has introduced the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry (often referred to as "BreAnna’s Law"). Individuals convicted of persistent domestic violence offenses are now required to register with the Department of Public Safety, similar to a sex offender registry, making their conviction history accessible to law enforcement and the public.

Domestic Violence Charges & Penalties in MO

In Missouri, domestic assault is categorized into four degrees, ranging from misdemeanors to class A felonies. The severity of the charge often depends on the intent, the extent of the injury, and the defendant's prior criminal history.

Note: A fourth-degree charge can be elevated to a Class E felony if the defendant has prior domestic violence convictions.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

In Chesterfield, an Order of Protection is a civil court order that prohibits an abuser from contacting or coming near the victim.

Ex Parte Order

When you file a petition, a judge can issue an "Ex Parte" (temporary) order immediately if they believe there is an "immediate and present danger." This order stays in effect until your formal court hearing, usually scheduled within 15 days.

Full Order of Protection

During the hearing, both parties present evidence. If the judge finds that domestic violence occurred, they will issue a Full Order of Protection. These orders typically last between 180 days and one year, but under 2026 guidelines, they can be extended for two years to life if the respondent is deemed a serious ongoing danger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to go to jail for this charge?

Not every domestic case results in jail time, but the risk depends on the charge, your record, and what happens in court. We review your situation, explain the possible ranges of punishment under Missouri law, and work to pursue outcomes that protect your liberty whenever the facts allow.

Can I go back home or see my children?

Bond conditions and orders of protection often control where you can live and whom you may contact. Courts in St. Louis County take these rules seriously. We help you understand the specific limits in your case and, when appropriate, request changes through the proper legal process.

How soon should I contact your firm after an arrest?

It is usually best to contact us as soon as possible after an arrest or accusation. Early involvement allows our attorneys to review documents, advise you before important decisions, and appear with you at key hearings. A prompt consultation can help you avoid missteps that might affect your case.

What if the alleged victim wants to drop the charges?

Even if the alleged victim asks for the case to be dropped, prosecutors in Missouri decide whether to move forward. As former prosecutors, we understand how those decisions are made. We use that insight to discuss with you how the victim’s position might affect negotiations or trial strategy.

How will you keep me informed about my case?

Our attorneys communicate with clients regularly, especially before and after important court dates. We explain what to expect, review any new developments, and answer questions. You work directly with our legal team, not through layers of staff, so you know who is handling your case and how it is progressing.

Why Choose Our Defense Team

When you are accused of domestic violence, choosing the right legal team is one of the most important decisions you will make. Our firm focuses on criminal defense throughout Missouri, and we regularly represent clients on domestic assault and related charges that arise from incidents in homes and relationships. We understand how quickly a disagreement can be treated as a serious criminal matter.

Our attorneys, Mark Hammer and Nicole Chiravollatti, are former prosecutors. This background matters in domestic cases, because it helps us anticipate how the state may view the incident, what evidence prosecutors may rely on, and how they typically approach negotiation. We draw on that experience when assessing the strength of the charges and when speaking with prosecutors about possible resolutions.

Together, our team has more than six decades of criminal defense experience in Missouri courts, including those that hear cases from Chesterfield. Over those years, we have handled a wide range of charges, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. That history gives us a grounded sense of how domestic violence allegations are treated in local courtrooms and what strategies may be realistic.

We are also involved in the legal community. Both of our attorneys serve as adjunct professors at Saint Louis University School of Law, where they teach future lawyers about criminal law and procedure. Mark Hammer serves as a Lead Panel Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri’s Criminal Justice Act Program, a role that reflects trust from the federal courts in his work on serious criminal cases. These responsibilities keep us engaged with current legal developments and connect directly to the quality of representation we provide to our clients.

Equally important, we place a strong emphasis on personal attention. Clients work directly with our attorneys, receive clear explanations of their options, and can expect honest answers to difficult questions. We know that a domestic violence accusation can affect your family, your job, and your future, so we work to be accessible and responsive as your case moves forward.

Call (314) 334-3807 to speak with our criminal defense team about your domestic case.