Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense (2000 to present)
Joseph P. St. Louis Criminal Defense Attorney in Tucson
A National Leader in the Field
Joseph P. St. Louis is a certified specialist in Criminal Defense (Arizona State Bar) and in DUI Defense (National College of DUI Defense).
He wins cases by conveying a deep knowledge of the subject matter, effectively cross-examining witnesses, making persuasive arguments, and keeping the judge and jury interested. He has become a known authority in the legal community, and has been invited by state bar associations to share his expertise in DUI cases at conferences throughout the United States. Mr. St. Louis leads a firm that is uniquely qualified to handle DUI and other criminal charges, helping clients achieve the best possible outcome.
“I’ve always been on the side of the underdog.”
Attorney Joseph P. St. Louis knew he wanted his work to help other people since he was a young man. He finds great satisfaction in helping real people like you overcome daunting legal obstacles and safeguard their rights. In his own words, “If you’re going into law, you’re not there for yourself. You’re there to help your clients.”
Joseph P. St. Louis Stands Apart
Known in the Legal Community
Mr. St. Louis has built a reputation in the legal community that has earned him the respect and recognition of his peers. He was the president of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, a statewide defense organization with over 400 members. At the request of the then-presiding chief judge of the Pima County Justice Courts, Mr. St. Louis served as a part-time Justice of the Peace in 2003.
Understanding the Science
A high BAC doesn't mean your case is hopeless. After becoming frustrated with an analyst who would never answer his questions, Mr. St. Louis learned the science of blood testing himself. He's become so well-versed in it, he teaches judges and juries about laboratory errors, and teaches fellow lawyers how to defend blood alcohol tests. He once got a complete dismissal on a .27.
Track Record of Success
Mr. St. Louis has protected many Tucson residents from harsh penalties by securing not-guilty verdicts, case dismissals, and generous plea bargains. Our clients have noted Mr. St. Louis's personable demeanor, clear explanations, and extreme diligence when handling their cases.
An Advocate in Your Corner
- Mr. St. Louis has tried over 200 cases to juries, on both misdemeanor and felony charges, in federal court and state courts throughout Arizona.
- He has argued cases before the Arizona Court of Appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- He was lead counsel in Pima County’s first death penalty case tried completely to a jury in state court.
- He was found to be qualified as “Learned Counsel,” a designation reserved for only the most qualified attorneys handling death penalty cases, in federal court.
- Mr. St. Louis has the unique distinction of having had two back-to-back first-degree murder cases in which the judges dismissed all murder charges during the trial.
- In 2013, Mr. St. Louis was one of four lawyers who litigated a 17-day hearing in the Maricopa County Superior Court challenging how blood testing is performed in the Scottsdale City Crime Laboratory. The hearing resulted in the judge suppressing all blood evidence in 11 felony cases, after finding the results to be unreliable.
If you're facing criminal charges, you want Mr. St. Louis in your corner. Schedule a free consultation at our Tucson law office today.
“Thank you for saving my son's future!”
"My son was falsely accused of a very serious crime that if charged and convicted would have surely destroyed his future. As an innocent victim, my son and family were terrified. Joseph St. Louis did everything and more to prevent charges from being filed against my son, and was successful in accomplishing just that. Joe is caring, compassionate, responsive, and made us feel like we were his only client. There aren't enough stars for me to rate him so I'll have to settle for 5! Thank you for saving my sons future and life as he knows it!"
-Alan, 5-Star Avvo Review
Education & Admissions
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1993
United States District Court, District of Arizona, 1987
Arizona State Bar, 1987
National College for DUI Defense
Certified Specialist in DUI Defense (2012 to present)
One of eleven members of the governing board, the Board of Regents (2014-present)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Student Course on Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
Instructor Course on Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
American Chemical Society
Forensic Chromatography Course
University of Arizona College of Law
Juris Doctor (JD), 1987
University of Arizona
Bachelor of Arts (BA), 1984
Departmental Honors
Awards & Affiliations
Rated AV Preeminent (2013-present)
Martindale-Hubbell®
Best Lawyers in America, 2013-Present
Woodward/White
DUI specialty area
Top Attorneys in Arizona and New Mexico (2009-Present)
Super Lawyers
DUI specialty area
Top Lawyers in Tucson (2013-Present)
Tucson Lifestyle Magazine
DUI specialty area
Stephen Paul Barnard DUI Defense Lifetime Achievement Award (2022)
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Speaking Engagements
Mr. St. Louis has been asked to give over 150 lectures and trainings by State Bar Associations and defense organizations throughout the United States in the last 25 years. In both 2015 and 2019, Joe St. Louis was named as one of the top 10 lecturers at any presentation given in that calendar year. Joe’s 2019 lecture, before an audience of nearly 400 lawyers from across the country, was selected to be included in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' webinar series for Forensic Science in Criminal Law. Some of his other engagements include:
Don’t Blow It: What You Need to Know About Ignition Interlocks
Moderator
National College for DUI Defense
Webinar, November 21, 2024
Using the Confrontation Clause in Trial, DWI Means Defend with Ingenuity
Speaker
National College for DUI Defense and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Las Vegas, NV, September 19, 2024
Gideon Behind the Wheel
Moderator
National College for DUI Defense
Webinar, August 24, 2024
Strategies for DUI Defense
Speaker
Arizona Criminal Defense Practice for Paralegals
HalfMoon Education Webinar, August 23, 2024
Serious Science 2024
Trainer, Breakout Leader, Voir Dire
National College for DUI Defense
Arlington, TX, August 14, 2024 (with Jonathan Dichter)
Cases Mr. St. Louis Can Defend
Criminal charges involving violence, sex crimes, drugs, or guns can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, changing your life forever. Legal representation from our Tucson criminal defense lawyer can protect you against prison time, loss of licenses, loss of your right to travel, loss of access to your children, and other penalties.
