Carl J. Civella - a Clayton, Missouri (MO) DWI & Drug Defense Lawyer

Clayton DWI & Drug Defense Lawyer

Updated: 03/10/2026

Areas of Practice

DWI & Drug Defense 80%
Auto Accidents - Personal Injury 20%

Litigation: 50%

Attorney Information

Overview

I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Attended St. Louis Priory high school in Creve Coeur, Missouri before moving onto college at St. Louis University. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree from St. Louis University in Finance in 1988.

After taking a year off to explore an occupation in the Finance field, I decided to listen to the advice from my grandfather and seek my lifelong passion of becoming a lawyer. I graduated St. Louis University School of Law in 1993. I immediately obtained a license to practice in both Missouri and Illinois. Due to my experience with criminal defense during my summers in law school, I decided to open my own criminal defense practice with a focus on DWI and Drug Offenses in 1994.

In 2007, I became a municipal prosecutor, which gave me a unique advantage in the courtroom when defending criminal cases. I was better able to see a criminal case from both sides. Additionally, I have regularly attended DWI seminars nationwide, giving me the latest strategies in DWI defense, and up-to- date knowledge of breath instrument technology

I've been happily married for 22 years and have two boys, ages 18 and 21. I was very involved with them growing up, teaching them the importance of family, faith and an education. I thoroughly enjoyed acting as their baseball coach for many of those years.

I have continued my sole practice in Clayton now for 28 years, still passionate and loving what I do!

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Carl J. Civella included in a Super Lawyers® list

Other Sources of Feedback About Carl J. Civella

Included on the 2025 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2024 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
2023 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
2022 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list
2021 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, 1993
  J.D.
  Honors: Dean's List
Non Legal Education
- St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 1988
  B.A.
  Honors: magna cum laude
  Honors: President of the Executive Business Club of St. Louis University
  Honors: Dean's List
  Major: Finance

Current Employment Position(s)

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Attorney at Law
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Past Positions

Bradford Kessler, PC, Law Intern, 1990 - 1993

Languages

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English
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Pro Bono Activities

Volunteer work for Incarnate Word Parish, 2005 - 2016
Youth Baseball Coach, 2007 - 2016

Bar Admissions

Missouri, 1993
Illinois, 1994

Other Affiliations

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2018 - Present
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, 2000 - 2010
American Bar Association, 2000 - 2010

Reviews

Customer Reviews for Carl J. Civella

5.0 out of 5

4 Reviews

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4 Reviews

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Highlights

5.0 Value
5.0 Quality of Service
5.0 Professional Competence

By Anonymous on Mar. 09, 2022

Verified Client
Hired Attorney 2020-2022

Recommends this Attorney

Carl Civella was recommended to me by a friend who used to practice law, and I am so glad of that, because Carl took care of everything and was professional and friendly the whole time. I really feel like he went out of his way to make sure I got the best possible outcome. He kept me informed and reassured throughout the process.

Value: 5.0 out of 5

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Quality of Service: 5.0 out of 5

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Professional Competence: 5.0 out of 5
Related to:

Traffic Ticket
By Anonymous on Apr. 19, 2021

Verified Client
Hired Attorney 2021

Recommends this Attorney

I highly recommend Carl Civella. He helped my family member with a speeding ticket in Ladue County, when we live in New York. He was highly effective in receiving a favorable outcome.
Related to:

Criminal Defense

Traffic Ticket
By Anonymous on Jan. 06, 2021

Verified Client
Hired Attorney 2017-2021

Recommends this Attorney

Attorney Civella is a miracle worker. I highly recommend Mr. Civella for any and all minor to significant traffic, DOR, property damage, misdemeanor, felony, or criminal matters. I have had the benefit of using his services on 4 separate legal matters that could have significantly affected my life. In situations where there could have been sentences of several years in prison, on each count, and was scared to death prior to retaining him, Mr. Civella gave me hope and saved our legal lives through his amazing work on multiple criminal cases. Mr. Civella worked magic and brought a successful conclusion. He works diligently on behalf of every client. Carl is conscientious, meticulous, has incredible attention to detail, uses smart lawyering/negotiating, and his relationships within the courts and with judges are invaluable. I could not be more pleased to have received the benefit of his representation and of his unbelievable ability to obtain successful outcomes for his clients. I HIGHLY recommend Carl Civella.

Value: 5.0 out of 5

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Quality of Service: 5.0 out of 5

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Professional Competence: 5.0 out of 5
Related to:

Criminal Defense
By Jesse M. on May. 12, 2021
Hired Attorney 2021

Recommends this Attorney

Carl J. Civella, was definitely worth taking my time to seek the best legal consultation and representation!! He helped relieve my stress and worries of the situation I placed myself in because of my poor decision making. He is a true people person, a good listener, honest about his expectations and services. He truly wants to help you, keeping you informed and up to date of the forward direction the case is moving. He worked above and beyond my expectations and truly helped me to move on and leave this matter behind me. I hope everyone who needs an attorney that truly has their best interest in his heart and mind!! Thanks so much, Carl (Mr. Civella)for being a true professional and for all the time, support, and dedication you gave in obtaining the results of my matter. Thanks, Jesse Morales

Value: 5.0 out of 5

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Quality of Service: 5.0 out of 5

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Professional Competence: 5.0 out of 5

Contact

Clayton, MO

107 S. Meramec Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105

Directions

Phone: 314-492-8840

Fax: 314-727-2855

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.civellalaw.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

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Carl J. Civella - Clayton, MO