When an individual uses physical force against another person, Missouri classifies this action as a violent crime. The majority of these cases are prosecuted at the state level, but under unique circumstances, these crimes can become federal offenses. A federal...
Some states define assault as an intentional act that causes physical harm to another, including making threats, or attempting physical contact, even if there are no injuries. Battery, on the other hand, is the actual act that inflicts the injury. In Missouri, there...
It’s one of the most emotional and stressful decisions anyone will ever face: whether to use physical force to protect yourself or others from an imminent threat of physical harm. But in such situations, does Missouri law require someone to try to retreat before using...
It can be scary and confusing if you have been accused of a violent crime. If this occurs, try to gather as much information as possible that can support your case. Examples include witness statements or videos from cell phones and surveillance equipment. Establish...
If you have been charged with assault, your entire life may be upended. Serious charges such as these affect both personal and professional relationships and could be contributing factors in child custody cases. Fighting these charges on your own can be overwhelming...
There are situations when the facts behind a violent act may not be initially apparent. Law enforcement rarely considers violent acts a good enough reason for committing another violent crime. Often, it's up to a court of law to determine whether an act of force was...
Domestic violence charges are quite serious. For starters, you risk losing your home, job and child custody in case of a divorce. In addition, your reputation is on the line and might suffer serious harm. Below is a comprehensive look at possible defense strategies...
Arson is the deliberate act of damaging or destroying a building or home through fire or explosives. The law is tough on anyone found guilty of burning down other people's property or structures. However, in St. Louis, Missouri, not all fire cases qualify as violent...
After being arrested on domestic assault charges, you may have already consulted with legal counsel to learn about the penalties Missouri imposes in cases like yours if you're convicted. However, you may also wonder about how these charges and any potential conviction...
Committing Class A through E felonies comes with sentencing guidelines when an offender is convicted. However, the addition of an armed criminal action conviction adds consecutive punishments to any felony conviction punishments. For example, if a first-time offender...
