Regardless of the underlying allegations, felony criminal charges are serious. A conviction on any of these charges can result in jail or prison time that can be quite extensive, and you might be hit with a fine that devastates your finances. As if that’s not enough,...
Remember these 4 tips to avoid prison with felony charges
There is no easy way to be sure you won't go to prison for a felony charge. The penalties you face will depend on what happened and the class of the felony. However, there are some good tips for avoiding long prison sentences in some instances. For many people,...
Where does the “right to remain silent” come from?
Many of us in Kansas City have a somewhat vague understanding of our “Miranda Rights.” For example, we may have seen police tell a person, “You have the right to remain silent,” in movies or on television. However, it is important to understand the extent of these...
Does Missouri still allow the death penalty?
As someone who has been accused of murder and who has their freedoms on the line, one thing you may be wondering is if capital punishment is still used in Missouri. Capital punishment, better known as the death penalty, was first used in Missouri in 1810, and it has...
If you face enhanced charges, you need to have a strong defense
In the past, you made some decisions you're not proud of. You've lived and learned, and you've moved on. You didn't expect to face charges ever again, but now you're being accused of assaulting a woman you went out on a date with. You know you're innocent, but because...
Drug convictions result in serious time for Mexican nationals
A United States District Judge in Kansas City, Missouri, sentenced three Mexican nationals to time in federal prison as a result of their involvement in a drug trafficking ring. The three men were convicted of distributing large amounts of methamphetamine. Their...
Technology that helps police keep tabs on citizens
Advances in technology are giving police departments across the U.S. new methods to track suspects and potentially prevent crimes. But these systems also contribute to a significant rise in the surveillance of law-abiding citizens. Law enforcement uses many new...
The long-term consequences of felonies
Being charged with a felony has some serious consequences attached to it. A felony almost guarantees that you will spend time in jail, but this is just one of the consequences of such a charge. When accused of a crime, defending yourself so that you can avoid being...
The Fourth Amendment protects privacy
Missouri defendants have many constitutional protections in the criminal justice system. One of them is the Fourth Amendment, which protects them from illegal searches and seizures. This is otherwise known as the privacy safeguard in the Constitution. Police cannot...
Facing sentence enhancement for DUI can lead to worse penalties
A conviction for driving under the influence in Missouri can result in a variety of penalties. These penalties are largely contingent on the circumstances of the DUI investigation and arrest. With DUI sentence enhancement, it is important to understand when a driver...
