St. Louis Criminal Defense Law Blog

Understand the specifics of your criminal charges

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in White Collar Crimes on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

White collar crime charges have to be handled swiftly. As a defendant, you can't sit back and hope that the charges will go away because they won't. These cases often have a lot of evidence that can make a big impact on the outcome of the case. If you think that you are being investigated for white collar crimes, you should learn about your options. There are some cases in which the attempt to cover up the criminal activity makes things worse, so be very careful.

There is a chance that a white collar crime might impact your career choice. This is a troublesome thought, but if it is true in your case, you need to take steps to minimize the damage that it will cause. We realize that you might not be sure of how to do this. We are here to help you figure out a plan to address the issues.

Can cops search a car after a DUI arrest?

On behalf of Sindel Noble on Monday, June 11, 2018.

American citizens have protections from unlawful searches and seizures. The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects this right, and under a majority of circumstances, the police will need a warrant to search a car or house.

However, there can be exceptions when law enforcement does not need a warrant.

Fraud is based on untruthful statements

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in White Collar Crimes on Friday, June 8, 2018.

How often do you make statements without verifying that they are 100 percent correct? If you are like most people, you might do this often. But, did you realize that there are times when making a false statement can land you in legal hot water? Fraud charges are based on people who have made untruthful statements.

There are different types of fraud that can occur. You have to look at the circumstances of the incident to determine what type of fraud case might be forthcoming if you haven't already been charged. This is what the prosecution will do when they are trying to build a case against you.

Understanding Missouri gun laws can save you from breaking them

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Weapons Offenses on Friday, June 1, 2018.

While the Second Amendment provides a federal right to gun ownership, every single state has its own approach to legal gun use and safety. Being a responsible gun owner means having proper training and safe storage for any firearm you own. It also means complying with all applicable federal and state laws to protect yourself and others.

Missouri does not require any kind of permit for those who wish to purchase a rifle, shotgun or handgun in the state. There is also no requirement to register personal firearms. Those who own firearms in Missouri do not require any kind of license or a permit to carry their weapons.

Consider your options for handling a criminal charge

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Violent Crimes on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Violent crime charges can't be taken lightly. There is a good chance that these charges are backed by considerable credible evidence. This can greatly affect your defense, depending on what is included and how you handle it. It is up to you to initiate the process for devising a defense strategy as early in the case as possible.

We know that you might be scared. Facing many years in prison isn't something you want to contemplate. With this in mind, you need to take a hard look at what you are facing and use that information to fuel your steps. You shouldn't ever ignore the criminal case because it isn't just going to disappear.

Voluntary manslaughter charges have specific requirements

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Violent Crimes on Friday, May 18, 2018.

Violent crimes are sometimes planned, but this isn't always the case. Just about everyone has heard about homicides that occurred in the heat of passion. This isn't just something that was made up in Hollywood. It is an actual point that is considered when a person is accused of voluntary manslaughter.

This charge isn't as serious as murder, but it must still be taken seriously since it can still lead to time in prison and other criminal penalties. With this in mind, you should make sure that you understand some basic points about this charge if you are facing it. The knowledge might help you plan your defense.

Work hard on your white collar criminal charge defense

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in White Collar Crimes on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Many white collar crime charges come after a long investigation. When you think about that, you can see how much work you might need to put into a defense. These charges aren't ones that you can just throw together a defense at the last minute. Instead, you need to be willing to take the initiative to get things moving in the direction you are ready to go.

We know that facing these charges isn't easy, but we are here to help you along the way. One thing that is important for you to remember is that you are the one who needs to make the decisions about your case. There are some decisions that you will need to make right at the start of the case.

How can I afford a lawyer when I am barely making ends meet?

On behalf of Sindel Noble on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

When it comes to criminal law, anyone charged with a crime is constitutionally entitled to a lawyer. Defendants who lack the resources to hire their own attorneys are assigned public defenders who represent them at no charge to the defendant. While this sounds nice, what it means in practice is that there are a lot of public defenders juggling too many clients. These lawyers often lack the time and resources to give each case the attention it deserves.

That is one big reason why it is usually better to hire your own lawyer if possible. However, if you are, say, a poor college student or part of a struggling low-income family, how can you come up with a way to afford a lawyer?

Can police officers read your mail?

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in White Collar Crimes on Friday, May 4, 2018.

You're not home all day long. You have work and plenty of other commitments.

If the police are investigating you, can they go to your house and read through your mail? After all, it gets dropped off long before you get home, so you could not stop them and may not even know.

What exactly does aggravated assault mean?

On behalf of Sindel Noble posted in Violent Crimes on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

There are a couple different types of assault in Missouri. One of those types is known as aggravated assault. Not everyone knows or understands what this entails, which is why we will explain this crime in today's post. Aggravated assault is the most severely punished of all the assaults due to the severity of the crime, the injuries caused and the intent.

An assault will typically be raised to an aggravated assault when any of the following are present: intent of the person who committed the crime, if a weapon was used, the degree of injury to the victim and the status of the victim.