St. Louis Criminal Defense Law Blog
Jonesboro teen charged with murder
Police in Stoddard County arrested a 16-year-old Missouri male in connection with an early-morning murder that occurred on Jan. 28, 2020. The juvenile is facing murder, robbery and burglary charges. Just before 4:30 a.m. on the morning of the murder, police arrived at...
Missouri criminal penalties rise amid civil unrest
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson in July signed into law a hotly contested measure that greatly increases penalties for some violations of criminal law. The penalties are rising for second-degree murder and criminal acts that involve firearms or are gang-related. The new...
Tough Missouri crime bill signed into law
Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed a controversial crime reform bill into law on July 6. Senate Bill 600, which was passed on the last day of the legislative session and will go into effect on August 28, toughens sentences, creates new crimes and modifies several...
Did the jury understand their instructions?
Their inexperience is part of what makes a jury valuable. The jury has nothing to gain or lose from the verdict, and jurors have very little experience with the criminal system. Ideally, jurors do not know anyone involved in the trial, and they can give an objective...
The elements of a proper search warrant
Missouri residents and others are protected from illegal searches and seizures by the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Generally speaking, authorities cannot legally search or seize property without obtaining a warrant. If evidence is obtained illegally, it may...
Does DWI apply to other vehicles?
For many, summer is a time to relax and enjoy some of the activities you cannot do in the winter. Now that the weather is warmer, your weekends may include drinking as well as adventures. Drunk driving is a risk that can ruin your summer fun, even if the vehicle you...
Missouri prosecutor to seek death penalty in double murder case
A prosecutor in Missouri has announced that he plans to seek the death penalty for a 31-year-old man accused of committing a double homicide on the night of May 2. The murder investigation that led to the man’s arrest was launched when the bodies of a 30-year-old man...
Actress Lori Loughlin pleads guilty to fraud
Missouri residents who have been following the recent college admissions scandal may be aware that actress Lori Loughlin was charged with multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud for allegedly paying a college counselor to fabricate athletic credentials...
Can I get charged with a DUI for sitting in my car?
Numerous states have interpreted their DUI laws broadly. This means in many states you run the risk of catching a drunk driving charge just by sitting in the driver’s seat of a car. The law in Missouri does not require such a harsh result. Missouri only allows for a...
Facts about blood-alcohol content in DUI cases
In Missouri and across the U.S., blood-alcohol content, or BAC, is an important part of being charged for driving under the influence. Depending on the state, a certain BAC will warrant an arrest for DUI. If it is exceedingly high, the charges and penalties will be...
