As anyone who has ever been in an argument can attest, arguments can escalate fast. And, when one of the people in the argument has a fire arm, that escalation could lead to a shooting. This does not mean that one meant for it to happen, only that it did happen. In...
Empower Yourself, Know Your Rights
Andrew Christie
Blog
Driver charged with DWI after crash kills family of three
The combination of alcohol and driving can lead to tragic results in a variety of ways. Alcohol can interfere with reflexes, the driver’s ability to control the car, and the driver’s awareness of other vehicles traveling on the same road. A tragic accident that killed...
Missouri domestic assault and possible defenses
If a person is charged with domestic assault in Missouri, it can cause him or her to face significant penalties. It’s helpful to understand the levels of domestic assault, possible defenses to the charge and how an attorney can help. In Missouri, domestic assault is...
Civil rights during arrest or detainment
The civil liberties that protect citizens, especially during the arrest or detention of a suspect, are an essential part of our nation’s legal system that are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. These rights are covered in the Bill of Rights under the Fourth, Fifth,...
Gun violence in 2020 in Missouri
The year 2020 brought its share of troubles to many in the nation, including an increase in violent crimes in some areas. At 689 shooting fatalities, 2020 saw more gun violence fatalities in Missouri than ever before. Two cities saw a significant number of fatal...
Defenses to robbery in Missouri
In Missouri, robbery is defined as a theft of another person’s property or money through force, intimidation or threats. If a person uses a dangerous instrument in the robbery, that is called armed robbery. It is a felony and can carry at least 10 years in prison and...
Drug charges and suppressing evidence
There’s a lot at stake when facing criminal charges related to drug offenses, and sometimes the evidence seems stacked against an accused individual. If you feel like you’re in that situation now, then you might be feeling hopeless for your future. But there might be...
When is a police dog ‘sniff’ search legal?
Some police dogs are trained to sniff out drugs, bombs, firearms and even child pornography. But under what circumstances can something that these K-9 officers spot with their noses be used as evidence? It depends on where it is. Your home For a police dog to be used...
Understanding hearsay evidence
Most everyone has seen defense attorneys and prosecutors on TV shows and in movies object to certain testimony as inadmissible because it's "hearsay." That often happens in real life as well. However, there are times when hearsay evidence is admissible. What is...
Prosecutors in Kansas City have ramped up diversion programs for drug charges
Everyone knows how challenging the year 2020 was. The criminal justice system was no exception. As of the end of the year, about half of Missouri's circuit courts were still under severe restrictions for in-person trials and hearings, bringing many criminal cases to a...