Miranda rights do not actually grant you any rights
You’ve probably seen enough movies and television shows that you can recite the Miranda warning in your sleep. “You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney,” and so on. While we often think of this warning as our Miranda rights, it’s...
You can’t always trust the evidence in a criminal drug case
There are a lot of misconceptions about the effectiveness and reliability of forensic testing. It is not nearly as reliable or foolproof as shows like “CSI” would have you believe. Although many law enforcement professionals understand the limitations of evidence,...
Drug trafficking charges can get very serious when someone overdoses
All felony drug charges on the books in Missouri are serious. But when the authorities accuse you of causing someone's death by supplying them with a controlled substance, you will likely face a felony murder charge. Normally in homicide charges, prosecutors must...
City clerk indicted for fraud and other white collar crimes
Missourians who work in jobs in which they are charge of significant sums of money and account for it are often deemed responsible for shortfalls. If there are allegations of misappropriation, fraud and outright theft, they can face severe consequences legally,...
Did Your Traffic Stop Turn into a Criminal Charge?
Have you ever been pulled over by a police officer for a broken taillight or an expired license? What about failing to signal a turn? Police officers often use these minor infractions as an excuse to pull a vehicle over and interrogate the driver, searching for other...
Missouri law tackles violent crimes, increases sentences
A new Missouri law addressing violent crime with measures such as increasing prison sentences and abolishing probation for certain offenses took effect on Aug. 28. Gov. Mike Parson signed the public safety bill in July as the legislative session concluded. Known as...
Attacking witness credibility can make all the difference
Prosecutors build their cases on any type of evidence they can get their hands on, but the bulk of their strategies are built on witness testimony. Whether from a police officer, an informant, an associate of the defendant, or even a jailhouse “snitch,” these...
What is wire fraud?
When federal prosecutors are looking to bring white-collar charges against a defendant that would otherwise only face charges in Missouri state court, they often will charge the person with wire fraud. This is a very broad and powerful tool at prosecutors' disposal....
Federal racketeering charges can carry serious consequences
Most people conduct their business above board. Yet, the lure of easy money can cause otherwise upstanding folks to engage in shady dealings. Through no fault of your own, you may have found yourself involved in a scheme and are now facing federal racketeering...
Allegations of financial fraud can have far-reaching consequences
An allegation of financial fraud can put you in a difficult position. In addition to the stress and uncertainty these types of charges can bring to your life, you will often have to face tough decisions about how to move forward. Will you or your company be able to...
