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Warrant Office
Ed Postawko
Chief Warrant Officer
- Almost all criminal cases begin with the making of a police report.
- An investigation follows.
- An arrest is made (maybe years after initial report is made).
- Most cases are reviewed by an Assistant Circuit Attorney (ACA) within 24 hours after an arrest.
- All necessary witnesses and victims are required to come to the Warrant Office to be interviewed.
- The ACA makes a determination whether or not charges are filed (this is called "issuing a case").
- If charges are issued, a judge will set a bond for the defendant.
- If misdemeanor charges are issued, routinely the defendant is given a summons and a court date.
- The Warrant Office is open 365 days a year.
- ACA's assigned to the Warrant Office review every felony and misdemeanor arrest made in the City of St. Louis.
- All decisions of ACAs are reviewed by the Chief Warrant Officer.
- All misdemeanor and felony trial staff attorneys rotate through the Warrant Office on a regular basis.
- Homicides, Sex Crimes, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, White-Collar Fraud and Child Support Enforcement cases are charged by ACA's specially trained in those unique cases.
Formal criminal proceedings typically begin at the Warrant Office. The St. Louis Metropolitation Police Department initiates an arrest and comes to the Warrant Office to make an application for a warrant. A decision whether to file charges and/or direction for further investigation is made (always subject to review by the Chief Warrant Officer.) The decisions are based on:
- The available facts.
- The legality of available evidence.
- The law.
- The availability and credibility of witnesses.
- The effect on the individuals involved and the community as a whole.
- The prosecutive merits of the case.
Warrant Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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