Law Office of Chris Hoell, LLC

07/23/2025

Here’s an article from today’s St. Louis Post Dispatch about one of my cases. Involving a homeowner being harassed by the city of Chesterfield code enforcement division and her Homeowners Association. I’ve attached screenshots since I think it’s behind a pay wall. If you’re having issues with an overzealous HOA, a property dispute, or other legal issues, please contact me at 314-441-6559 or [email protected].

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/column/tony-messenger/article_a0ec69f4-ab94-45c6-9c49-87e0f402c1db.html

* The decision to hire an attorney is an important one and should not be based solely on advertising.

06/11/2025

DO’s AND DON’TS OF ENCOUNTERING A DWI/DUI checkpoint:
- checkpoints are legal and not per se a violation of your rights.
- You DO need to present a license or ID,  your vehicles registration and car insurance if asked.
- You are not required to:  perform field sobriety tests, answer questions about your drinking or where you have been, or to do a Breathalyzer or PBT tests.
-  the less you say the better. Don’t be afraid to say you want to speak to an attorney.
- you do NOT have to give permission for police to search your car if they ask.
-  refusing a breath test can have consequences for your drivers license including suspension.  Suspension length varies by state.
-  it’s not illegal to turn around if you see a checkpoint ahead as long as you do not violate any traffic laws in doing so.

If you’ve recently been arrested for DWI or DUI or any criminal matter please reach out for a free consultation at 314-441-6559 or [email protected]. Over 20 years of criminal law experience and a former state and federal prosecutor.

Disclaimer: “The choice of an attorney is an important one and should not be made solely on the basis of an advertisement.””

05/26/2025

Here is an article from Sunday’s St. Louis Post Dispatch about a case that Hugh Eastwood and I are currently handling. We are willing to bring publicity to any client’s case when the system is violating their rights. I’ve attached screenshots as I think reading the article requires a subscription. If you are in need of a passionate attorney to handle your case, please contact my office at [email protected], by message on here or at 314-441-6559.

Messenger: Are there still debtors' prisons in Missouri? This case suggests yes.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/column/tony-messenger/article_38cac464-8cdd-4242-8deb-73a2dc9f8c1f.html

05/20/2025

Last week, after a hearing and my arguments, a judge granted an expungement for a client. My client was a 72 year old Vietnam veteran with a 30 year old bad check felony conviction. In every other way, he was a pillar of the community and beloved grandparent to 11 kids.

With the exception of violent crimes and a few others, many prior convictions (and arrests) including DWI/DUI can now be expunged in both Missouri and Illinois. If you would like to get a prior arrest or conviction off of your record, please contact my office at 314-441-6559 or by email at [email protected].

01/27/2025

Great outcome on a serious personal injury case. Glad to get my client a great settlement. If you’ve been injured in an accident please reach out via my website at https://hoell-law.com/, Facebook, 314-441-6559, or [email protected].

Jaywalking pedestrian struck by driver in Kirkwood settles for $736,250

Alan Scher Zagier//January 27, 2025// email

A St. Louis County pedestrian who was struck by a car while trying to cross Manchester Road in Kirkwood two years ago has reached a $730,250 settlement at mediation with the responsible driver.

Marcia E. Smith, a certified nursing assistant, was hit by a 2013 Honda Accord after crossing the westbound lanes of the 16000 block of Manchester on Jan. 16, 2023, but still standing in the roadway shortly after 7 p.m.

Lead plaintiff’s attorney Chris Hoell said his client was attempting to reach a bus stop on the other side of Manchester while on her way home from work.

Smith alleged negligence on the part of Benjamin Cauble, a teen driving a family vehicle, with the settlement reached during mediation, with former St. Louis County Circuit Judge Barbara Wallace as mediator.

Hoel said his client acknowledged that she was jaywalking to catch her bus at nighttime, but she also alleged that the road was well lit and in a construction zone. Video of the traumatic impact captured from a neighboring car dealership shows that Smith was wearing a long white coat, he added.

The mediation focused primarily on comparative fault and future damages, he said, with a pre-mediation offer of $450,000.

“I’m glad we were able to resolve the matter without unnecessary delay,” said defense attorney Michelle White of Rynearson Suess Schnurbusch Champion in Springfield.

$730,250 settlement

Motor vehicle collision

Venue: St. Louis County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 24SL-CC-020804/Nov. 6 , 2024

Injuries alleged: head, brain, neck, back, spine, leg, knee, ankle, foot, neurological

Injuries detail: vertebral fractures, fractured arm, collapsed lung and spine and fluid collection, with a severe laceration to her head. Multiple contusions to torso and extremities. Ongoing issues including nerve pain in foot and leg and breathing issues. Plaintiff has had three surgeries related to her injuries to date.

Caption: Marcia Smith v. Benjamin Cauble

Plaintiff’s attorneys: Chris Hoell (lead), Clayton; Hugh Eastwood, Clayton

Defendant’s attorneys: Debbie Champion (lead) and Michelle White; Rynearson Suess Schnurbusch Champion, Springfield

04/03/2024

So true! So many law firms and employers pay lip service to “supporting” their attorneys’ mental health but don’t actually follow through.

More firms need to change their wellbeing programming to better assist their attorneys.

12/08/2023

https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/deadline-today-for-felony-ma*****na-expungements?utm_source=ktvi_app&utm_medium=social&utm_content=share-link

Friday is the deadline for felony ma*****na expungements in Missouri.

09/13/2022

Missouri recently updated their expungement laws. Want to erase that mistake from your teens or 20s (or 3 years ago) that lead to criminal charges or even just an arrest from your record? Many offenses can now be expunged (some prior conivuctions like those for certain violent crimes cannot be expunged).

Even if you received an SIS, the court, arresting police department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other agencies still have a record of your conviction and arrest. There is a chance depending on the nature of the job that a future employer could discover the existence of that old conviction even if it’s not listed on Casenet.

With a petition to the court and a short hearing, your past mistake can be permanently erased. I’ve already handled several expungements and would be happy to help you with yours. Please reach out to my office if you need assistance. 

Edit: I am also licensed in Illinois which also has a process for expungement of priors although it’s different (expungement for arrests, dismissals, acquittals and some misdemeanors and sealing for eligible felonies). Call for more details.

08/18/2022

I am an attorney with over 20 years of litigation experience in federal and state court. I have tried approximately 40 jury trials in federal and court case and argued cases in front of federal and state Court of Appeals. Very experienced in the areas of criminal defense, employment law, civil rights violations, personal injury, landlord-tenant disputes and cybersecurity. Licensed in Missouri and Illinois and sworn into multiple federal courts.

Free initial appointment. I am responsive, keep my clients informed, and will help you understand the legal process. I am a skilled and experienced negotiator and not afraid to take a case all the way to a jury verdict. I look forward to helping you with your legal issue.