A career criminal is someone who is not only currently convicted of a crime but who also was previously convicted of a crime. One of any court's biggest challenges is combatting these habitual offenders by encouraging rehabilitation and reintroduction to society, and...
Year: 2022
Shoplifting equals theft in Missouri
Many states treat shoplifting as a distinct crime involving the theft of retail property, with penalties differing from those for other theft crimes. However, Missouri law treats shoplifting as any other theft with prosecution as a misdemeanor or felony. The following...
What does Missouri law say about first-degree murder?
Of all the forms of homicide for which you can face prosecution in Missouri, first-degree murder is the most serious. As FindLaw explains, Missouri law categorizes first-degree murder as a Class A felony. If convicted, you could face the death penalty or, at best,...
3 things to know about drug court
Sometimes people face charges not because they desire to commit criminal offenses, but because they struggle with drug addiction. For those dealing with substance abuse problems, options such as the drug court program may better guide them away from recidivism. Before...
Can just one DUI change your college trajectory?
Dealing with a DUI charge may seem like something scary and overwhelming. In particular, college students have a lot to lose if they end up convicted. But in what ways do DUI convictions impact a college student's life? Just how much can it alter the path a college...
Can you turn around at a DUI checkpoint?
DUI checkpoints often get set up along highways during times when police suspect many people will hit the road while intoxicated. This can include later in summer days, around holidays and on long weekends. Many drivers wonder if it is legal to turn around if they...
Do drug convictions affect financial aid eligibility?
Many people believe that a drug conviction has the potential to put an end to a college student’s financial aid. Until recently, this was true. In the past, any student who received any type of drug conviction while using financial aid stood to become ineligible for...
3 ways to avoid unlawful use of weapons charges
Missouri has lenient gun laws which allow law-abiding adults aged 19 and older to carry a gun without a license or permit. If residents choose to go the extra step and obtain concealed carry licenses, they may bring a firearm into locations off-limits to others....
How do you get an ignition interlock device?
Losing your driving privileges because of a DUI in Missouri can make life real inconvenient. You might need to find an alternative source of transportation to keep your job or even do simple things like get groceries. Having an ignition interlock device installed in...
Characteristics of female juvenile offenders
When most people think of a juvenile delinquent, they picture a young male committing petty crimes as he works through a stage of raging hormones and rebellion. However, the latest crime statistics show that nearly four out of ten juvenile arrests involve females; a...