Childress for Judge

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On October 5, 2024, Governor Michael L. Parson announced the appointment of Denise L. Childress as Associate Circuit Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit. The Honorable Childress will fill the vacancy created by the election of the Honorable Dwayne Johnson as Circuit Judge who is unopposed in the 2024 general election. Judge Childress takes office January 2025.

Judge Childress's first docket assignment will consist of cases involving pro se family matters, juvenile, small claims, ex parte orders of protection for adults and juveniles, expungements, structured settlements, criminal non-support, and an associate civil law day docket with matters to include landlord tenant, collections, breach of contract, and the like. 

Her docket assignment will rotate every two years.

The 11th Judicial Circuit covers Saint Charles County, Missouri. This position has jurisdiction over all St. Charles municipalities: St. Charles City, Foristell, Flint Hill, Dardenne Prairie, Village of Josephville, Weldon Spring, St. Paul, O'Fallon, New Melle, St. Peters, Augusta, Cottleville, Portage Des Sioux, Lake St. Louis, West Alton, and Wentzville.

Prior to her appointment to the bench, Denise L. Childress was an experienced trial lawyer and the owner of Childress Legal, LLC. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri.

Saint Louis University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, Certificate in Criminal Litigation, 2012

Truman State University, Bachelor of Science in Justice Systems with a Minor in Spanish, 2009

Nerinx Hall High School, 2005

One of Ms. Childress's core values is to be as educated in her field as possible because it allows her to strive for excellence in representing her clients. Every year Missouri lawyers are required to have a minimum of 15.0 hours of continuing legal education. Based on her years in practice, Ms. Childress is required to have a minimum of 165 hours, but instead has amassed 784.5 hours of reported continuing legal education. 

Not only is education important to Ms. Childress, but she also values ethics and integrity. Every year, Missouri lawyers are required to have a minimum of 3.0 hours of continuing legal education in ethics. Based on her years of practice, Ms. Childress is required to have a minimum of 33 hours, but instead has amassed 87.7 hours of reported continuing legal education in ethics.

Judge Childress strives to be a well-rounded woman. She believes that to better serve St. Charles citizens, and to grow as an individual, she must remain plugged in to the communities around her, both professionally and personally. Judge Childress volunteers her time in many ways throughout both her professional and personal communities to give back in honor of the many blessings she has received.

Foster Adoption Support Team, Volunteer, 2021-present

Boone Center, Development Committee Volunteer,  2021-present 

St. Charles Christmas Traditions Gingerbread Village, Judge, 2020 - present
Saint Charles Neighborhood Night Out, Volunteer, 2015-2019

Green Beret Casualty Fund Benefit for Special Forces Association, Volunteer, 2014-2016 

Special Olympics Polar Plunge, 2014-2015

Operation: Reveille, Volunteer for homeless veterans, 2014 

The Missouri Bar, Member in Good Standing, 2012 - present

St. Charles County Bar Association, Member, Past President, 2019 - present
St. Louis County Bar Association, Member 2013-2015, 2020 - present
The Missouri DWI Institute, LLC, Co-Founder, Faculty, 2020 - 2024

Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Amicus Committee Member, 2016 - 2024
Missouri Society for Criminal Justice, Member, 2014 - 2024

The DUI Defense Lawyers Association, Board Member, Course Director, Faculty, 2020 - 2024

National College for DUI Defense, Forensic Science Committee, 2020 - 2024

Drawing from her extensive courtroom experience and continuing education and training, Ms. Childress has taught lawyers, judges, and law enforcement both locally and nationally regarding law, science, and constitutional rights. She is proud to be sought after to share her knowledge.

The Highway Podcast, Featured Guest

         Season 1, Episode 9:   Sweaty, Nervous, & Afraid, 

                                                 LISTEN HERE.

         Season 2, Episode 11: A Defense Attorney, a State Rep, and a Cop Walk into a Bar, Pt 1, 

                                                 LISTEN HERE. 

         Season 2, Episode 12: A Defense Attorney, a State Rep, and a Cop Walk into a Bar, Pt 2,

                                                 LISTEN HERE. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy, Civilian Instructor

         September 10, 2024; April 10, 2024; November 21, 2023; April 7, 2023 

Missouri Solo & Small Firm Conference, Speaker 

         June 2024: Re-examining "the totality of circumstances" in a DWI arrest 

         June 2023: Intro to Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

         June 2021: What to Do with Your First Criminal Law Case

         June 2021: To Blow or Not to Blow: A Crash Course for the Non-DWI Practitioner

         June 2017: Handling a Traffic Case Post-Ferguson

The Missouri DWI Institute, LLC

         Fall 2023: What Missouri Public Defenders Need to Know About Driver's Licensing Actions

         Fall 2022: Police Academey Training for Lawyers: NHTSA DWI Detection & 

                  Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Co-Chair, Faculty

                  Topic: Session 3: The Legal Environment

                  Topic: Recognizing Implicit Bias in DWI Investigations 

                  Topic: Session 12: Video and Report Analysis and Trial Prep
                 Topic: Session 13: Moot Court 

                  Topic: Diligent DWI Defense: Measures Required to Vindicate your Client's Cause

                  Topic: Session 14: "Testing Subjects" Practice Session: WET LAB

         Fall 2021: Co-Chair, Faculty 

                  Topic: Re-Thinking the PBT: Admissibility v Reliability

         Summer 2020: Co-Chair, Moderator, Faculty

                  Topic: Weighing Evidence: Probable Cause for a DWI Arrest

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

         Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: CLE Chair, Faculty Member, Spring 2025

                  Topic: Fourth Freedom: DWI Probable Cause Analysis 

         Austin, Texas: CLE Chair, Fall 2024

         Orlando, Florida: CLE Chair, Spring 2024

         Atlanta, Georgia: CLE Chair, Faculty Member, Fall 2023

                  Topic: Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Exploring Bias & Professionalism in DUI Cases 

         Nashville, Tennessee: CLE Chair, Spring 2023

         Denver, Colorado: Course Director, Faculty Member, Spring 2022 

                  Topic: Cops as Witnesses: Framing Their Character to Shape Your Narrative

         Chicago, Illinois: Faculty Member, Fall 2021

                  Topic: Preparing for Hearings and Trials

         Charleston, South Carolina: Faculty Member, Spring 2021  

                  Topic: Improv for Lawyers: Small Group Trial Skills Breakout Session