St. Louis Criminal Defense Law Blog
Legal challenges can dismiss Missouri drug charges
A drug charge never is fun to face, but it can be handled and possibly dropped when the police make mistakes. Missouri criminal law affirms the accused is innocent until proven guilty and can challenge the evidence brought against him or her. Drug charges can carry...
Man charged in connection with police officer shootings
A 43-year-old man accused of shooting two Missouri police officers on the afternoon of Aug. 29 has been charged with three counts of armed criminal action and one count each of murder in the first degree, assault, burglary, the unlawful use of a firearm and resisting...
Former Missouri headmaster pleads guilty to fraud
The founder and former headmaster of a failed charter school pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme that is said to have cost taxpayers in Missouri as much as $2.4 million. The 44-year-old St. Louis resident is scheduled to be...
Not enough minority prosecutors and judges, researchers say
Missouri has a history of racial disparity, but minorities across the country lack representation in the criminal justice system. Just five years ago, 95% of all elected prosecutors were white, even though African-Americans and other people of color make up over half...
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...
