Within two months of accepting a position as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Chris was promoted by Prosecuting Attorney Bob Sterner to the position of First Assistant. In that role, Chris has handled a variety of cases, ranging from misdemeanor traffic offenses to murder. His current caseload consists primarily of property crimes, drug crimes and crimes committed against children.
Prior to becoming the First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Callaway County, Chris prosecuted juvenile offenders for the Juvenile Officer for Callaway and Boone counties. Those cases involved a wide range of offenses, from curfew and truancy violations to serious felony offenses including sex crimes, drug crimes and homicide. He previously worked as a trial attorney for the Public Defender’s Office and in private practice. “While I never intended to practice criminal defense, the experience was invaluable. I learned to build solid cases by first learning how to take them apart. Practicing law on both sides in the courtroom made me a better prosecutor.”
Chris has also practiced in the civil law areas of commercial contract litigation and real estate. This experience has allowed him to assist the Prosecuting Attorney in the representation of Callaway County in civil litigation. “As a rural county, we don’t have the luxury of a full time county attorney to handle the civil law matters that arise. The Prosecuting Attorney must be prepared to fill that role. Fortunately I have not only the legal education, but the legal experience, to handle those matters as our county officials are faced with them.”
In all, Chris has spent over 14 years practicing in courtrooms across the State of Missouri, and 10 years of that has been prosecuting adult and juvenile offenders in Callaway County. He has earned the reputation among law enforcement officers and other attorneys as a tough, but fair-minded prosecutor.
Chris has the experience necessary to serve as the next Prosecuting Attorney for Callaway County and is eager for the challenge. “This has been a 20 year journey for me. I am fully committed to continue serving the citizens of Callaway County in the courtroom and I ask for their support and vote. I will not let them down.”