About Raphael
Raphael Morris earned his law degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2000 after completing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri–St. Louis in 1996. He followed a traditional path from undergraduate study into law school, arriving at practice with several years of academic preparation behind him.
After graduating in 2000, Morris began his legal career in Missouri. He has worked on criminal matters in state courts and built a practice grounded in courtroom work. Over time he developed routines that prioritize clear client communication and careful case preparation. He seeks to identify factual and legal issues early and to frame them plainly for judges and juries alike.
Morris has been a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers since 2009. That long-running membership has kept him connected to the larger criminal defense bar. He attends professional programs and continuing legal education events, and he draws on those resources when confronting complex evidentiary and procedural questions.
His work covers the typical stages of criminal cases. He represents clients at arraignment and in plea negotiations, and he has handled contested hearings and jury trials. He also manages pretrial motions and sentencing advocacy. He approaches each matter with an eye toward the most practical resolution, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of evidence, the range of sentencing exposure, and the client’s stated goals.
Colleagues describe Morris as methodical in preparing records and in reviewing discovery. He favors a straightforward litigation plan that can be adjusted as new information emerges. That approach extends to post-conviction and collateral issues where attention to procedural detail is often decisive. Morris balances courtroom advocacy with efforts to resolve cases short of trial when doing so serves a client’s interests.
Outside of court, he maintains professional ties in Missouri’s legal community and continues to follow changes in criminal law and procedure. As of 2026 he represents individuals in criminal matters across Missouri, providing representation from early case stages through trial and post-conviction proceedings.
