Local nonprofit outlines expanded legal help for domestic violence victims

Michael (Mike) Burton, executive director of St. Louis Survivors Legal Support, told the Florissant City Council on June 22 that his group is expanding outreach and courtroom representation for victims of domestic violence.

Burton, a former presiding judge who said he helped start the state’s first domestic-violence court, described chronic gaps in services. He said St. Louis County — with nearly a million residents — has one shelter with 33 beds and that many petitioners cannot afford private counsel. "You're three times more likely to prevail in court if you have an attorney by your side," Burton said, citing the group's caseload and outcomes.

He credited a 2021 change in Missouri law that allows orders of protection of up to 10 years "if you can show someone is a serious danger" and said that legal expertise is often required to secure such relief. Burton told the council that most petitioners do not know how to plead for related relief — child support, mortgage or rental payments, or participation in batterer intervention programs — and that many petitions are dismissed because petitioners fail to appear in court.

St. Louis Survivors Legal Support is partnering with 10 police departments, including the Florissant Police Department, as well as hospital systems and the St. Louis County Library to reach people where they already seek help. Burton said the organization has mobilized about 100 volunteer attorneys and has represented roughly 500 cases to date; with volunteer representation, he said, 62% of clients obtain orders of protection that last longer than a year.

Burton described community-based intake sites — held at libraries, police precincts and other trusted locations such as hair and nail salons — and said partners can also provide Uber rides to courthouse appearances through funding from a group called Alive. "We meet folks at the courthouse. We tell them, 'You need an order of protection. We will meet you there and we'll talk to you about your choices,'" Burton said.

Council members thanked Burton and noted Florissant’s early partnership with the group. Burton closed by offering contact information and asking council members to refer people who might need services.

The council did not take formal action on Burton’s presentation; he was on the agenda as a presenter.