St. Louis Criminal Defense Law Blog

Many factors impact the sentence you will face after conviction

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Weapons Offenses on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Sometimes, a criminal defendant knows that they will be convicted of a crime. Then, the focus of these cases becomes reducing the severity of the penalties that they will face when they are sentenced. If you are in this position, you should understand which factors the court will consider when it determines what sentence to hand down.

One of the primary factors in these cases is the sentencing guideline for the charge. This is usually a range of options that are considered normal for the charge. In some cases, this will include a mandatory minimum sentence. When there is a mandatory minimum, the court isn't allowed to issue anything below that threshold.

Benefits of expunging a criminal record

On behalf of Sindel Noble on Sunday, October 7, 2018.

Recently, Missouri lawmakers made it easier for many people in the state to expunge their criminal records. On January 1st of this year, around 1,900 felony and misdemeanor crimes became eligible for expungement.

Expunging a record serves as a second chance. The person no longer needs to state on job applications that he or she has a criminal past. A burden becomes lifted, and there are many benefits to gain. Anyone with a criminal past needs to consider this option.

Don't put off getting started on your criminal defense

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in White Collar Crimes on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Facing a white collar crime means that you have some work to do. These cases are often filled with a paper trail that can be lengthy. When you are in this position, you need to get started on your defense quickly so that you might have the chance to sort through everything related to the case. This gives you a good idea of what you need to do for your defense.

The defense strategy that you choose can impact your entire future. There are several things that you need to think about when you are going through the process of determining what you are going to do about your case.

Forensic accounting plays an important role in investigations

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in White Collar Crimes on Friday, September 28, 2018.

It is sometimes said that a person's desire to cover up a crime is going to be one of the key factors in getting caught. For some, the clues that they leave behind are unearthed by a forensic accountant. These professionals take the time to go through accounts a single transaction at a time in an effort to find things that point to misuse of money or illegal activities.

When a forensic accountant goes through a list of transactions, they usually will have a preferred place to start going over the accounts. Typically, this is a place where it will be easy to hide transactions, such as a travel account.

Murder defenses vary greatly based on circumstances

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Violent Crimes on Friday, September 21, 2018.

First degree murder charges are some of the most serious that a person can face. For the defendants, finding a suitable strategy for asserting their position on the matter is imperative. Not all defenses against these charges are going to be the same. Instead, you have to think about the specific components of your case are, as well as the strength of the prosecution's case against you.

There are quite a few defense angles to use during a first degree murder trial. You can work with your defense attorney to learn more about the options that apply to your case so that you know what to expect.

Criminal appeals must be handled carefully

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Criminal Appeals on Friday, September 14, 2018.

Criminal matters sometimes result in convictions that should never have happened. There are some instances in which the person who was wrongfully convicted might need to use the legal system to try to rectify the matter. This can often feel like an uphill battle without hope. We are here to help you pursue appeal options that are appropriate for your circumstances.

One thing that many people don't realize is that you can't file an appeal for any random reason. Instead, there are only specific reasons why you might be able to appeal a criminal conviction. Determining if your case meets these qualifications can strengthen your appeal strategy.

White collar crimes encompass many situations

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in White Collar Crimes on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

White collar crimes are sometimes thought of as minor crimes by people; however, these crimes often result in felony charges that come with serious penalties. These crimes are ones that are motivated by financial gains and are often the result of fraud or deceit. There are many different charges that fall under this umbrella.

Securities fraud is one of the types of crimes that is considered a white collar crime. These crimes, including insider trading, all have to do with defrauding investors to make a profit on a company that is publicly traded.

3 important tips to follow if you are pulled over

On behalf of Sindel Noble on Friday, September 7, 2018.

Nobody wants to see the shine of blue lights behind them when they are trying to get home, go to work or enjoy a night out. At any moment, though, you could find yourself pulled over and facing the judgment of a police officer. While it may feel natural to panic, you should resist this urge and instead respond to the situation with composure and reason. You are likely to get better results by doing so.

Consider the following three tips for handling interactions with law enforcement when you are pulled over. How you respond to the situation is likely to determine its outcome, at least in part, so it is important to maintain your composure throughout the duration of your interaction.

Treat weapons charges with the seriousness they deserve

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Weapons Offenses on Friday, August 31, 2018.

Weapons serve an important purpose today since there are many violent events that happen daily. Unfortunately, there are times when trying to protect yourself might lead to criminal charges. Most adults likely realize how serious weapons charges are. These are associated with lengthy prison sentences, some of which are mandatory upon conviction.

We know that you might have some concerns about your case. We are here to help you evaluate the defense options you might have. We want to work with you to find a strategy you are comfortable with. To meet this goal, we must investigate specific points in your case. This enables us to customize the plan to your needs. A one-size-fits-all solution probably won't produce desirable results.

Criminal appeals are only appropriate in limited cases

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Criminal Appeals on Friday, August 24, 2018.

People who are convicted of criminal actions might decide to find out if the case meets the requirement for an appeal. You might be surprised to know that very few cases do qualify. There are some specific points that must be present if you are going to appeal any criminal conviction or sentence.

One thing to remember is that you can almost never appeal a plea deal. This is because part of the plea deal process involves you having to acknowledge that you understand what the deal means. The only exception is if there is an element of misconduct on the part of a lawyer or court official that is grievous enough to warrant an appeal.