For the last 23 years, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office has been compiling reports that show how various police departments in the state handle traffic stops – and for 23 years in a row, the news for Black motorists hasn’t improved. “Driving While Black” is the...
Month: January 2024
Was it really criminal tax evasion or just legal tax avoidance?
Virtually every person who earns income has to pay both federal and state income taxes. The exact amount that they owe depends on how much they earn, how they earn their income and what deductions or exemptions they may qualify to claim. The Internal Revenue Service...
What justifies a physical search of a person’s body in Illinois?
There are many ways to defend against criminal charges in Illinois. Sometimes, people provide alibis or investigate to uncover who actually violated the law. Other times, their lawyers can prevent prosecutors from presenting certain evidence during a trial. The...
What is voluntary manslaughter?
Voluntary manslaughter is a legal term that encapsulates a specific category of homicide. Unlike murder, which involves an intent to kill or cause serious harm, voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person, in the heat of the moment or under extreme emotional distress,...
Should you take your criminal case to trial?
It's no secret that a significant number of criminal cases are resolved through plea deals rather than going to trial. In fact, statistics show that the majority of criminal cases (about 98% in the federal system) end in plea bargains. The American Bar Association’s...
What is a motion to suppress in criminal proceedings?
During pretrial hearings, the defense may make a formal request to the court to exclude specific evidence from being presented in court. This evidence could encompass anything from seized items to confession statements. If a judge grants the motion, the evidence will...
3 reasons not to take a lie detector test
If you’re under investigation for any kind of serious crime here in Missouri, the police may ask you to take a polygraph test and “clear your name.” They can’t force you to comply with their request, but there’s no question that you’ll feel some pressure over the...
Peer pressure may influence teens to break the law
When teenagers break the law, parents are often frustrated because they just don’t understand why. For instance, many teens get picked up on shoplifting charges when stealing things that they could afford or didn’t even need. Parents can’t understand why they would...
Is eyewitness testimony reliable?
When one is charged with a crime, the police often rely on eyewitnesses as a source of evidence. Eyewitness testimony can be convincing, as it's believed the human mind is highly capable of recording and storing every detail of an experience. But cases of eyewitness...
What is constructive possession?
Many people are charged with drug possession. Drug possession happens when someone is caught using, selling or manufacturing illicit drugs, such as ketamine or meth. Someone convicted of drug possession can face severe fines, penalties and jail time. Someone might...