Understanding what your right to remain silent really means
The Miranda Warning is a familiar aspect of criminal proceedings, even to those who have never faced arrest. Thanks to the many crime shows on television, many Americans have some idea of what “the right to remain silent” means in an arrest setting and possibly even...
Defenses against tax fraud
Complex tax codes may turn a simple stroke of the pen into a tax fraud charge. If you’re unfamiliar with their intricacies, a mistake could cost you a serious fine or even jail time. There’s no harm in trying to reduce your tax bill. Even the I.R.S. offers tactics for...
How do the Missouri felony classes dictate your sentence?
If you face a felony conviction in Missouri, you may wonder what the specific sentence will mean. A judge may have mentioned a class of felony during your hearing. But what sentencing can you face for each felony level? Missouri has five different felony classes. The...
Numerous arrests for violent crimes took place here in St. Louis
The U.S. Department of Justice, along with state and local law enforcement have been busy here in St. Louis recently. Over the last three months, approximately 162 people were arrested and charged with a variety of violent crimes, including gang activity and...
What does your right to a fair trial really mean?
If you are facing criminal charges for a violent crime, your primary concern is getting a fair trial. Missouri police and prosecutors are gathering and examining evidence against you, and building a case that may be designed to end with your incarceration. However,...
Do you have grounds to appeal your verdict?
If your trial did not go as you expected, you may find yourself facing an uncertain future. You may now be facing years or even decades behind bars. As well prepared as you thought you were to present your case, the verdict did not go your way. Now, you wonder where...
Violent crimes may involve less traditional weapons, such as cars
It is probable that when most St. Louis residents think of the word "manslaughter" they think of the killing of someone with a weapon such as a gun, knife or some other lethal instrument. One lethal instrument they may not consider when it comes to violent crimes such...
Defending against accusations of running a fraud scheme
If you are facing accusations of fraud, you may not be entirely sure what you are up against. White collar crime of any kind is a serious criminal offense, and these types of cases often involve both state and federal charges. Penalties for a fraud conviction can...
How is hate crime defined?
There certainly is a perceived stigma associated with almost any criminal activity, yet that which most assign for hate crimes might be among the most prejudicial. Being accused of a hate crime can leave you facing criminal penalties, yet even beyond that, can destroy...
Missouri’s sex offender registry
Over the last several decades Missouri, like other states all across the country, has developed a method by which it tracks people convicted of crimes of a sexual nature. This is often referred to as the sex offender registry program. One of the key elements of this...
