When Missouri residents apply for jobs, they may wonder what they should do if they have had an offense expunged from their record. Many employers typically perform background checks, and people may sometimes wonder if a potential employer will find about an...
What should I know about avoiding New Year’s Eve DUI charges?
You may have plans to go out on the town, attend a party at a friend’s home or host a party at your place for New Year’s Eve. Whether your plans involve going out or staying in, you and other Missouri residents should understand the possbilities of receiving DUI...
A Growing Interest: Missouri Approves Medical Marijuana
Missourians approved medical marijuana Amendment 2 by a 65 percent vote earlier this month, and we now look forward to many months of studies by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the rise of cannabis dispensaries to a total of 192 by the year...
Lawful Search Case Commentary by Dee Wampler
A lawful investigative detention was not an illegal arrest when an officer expressed his intention to search a detainees pocket and then tried to reach into it [1]. Police noticed the suspect at a university student cafeteria. He appeared unkempt, his eyes were...
An Exception to the Fourth Amendment
The “community caretaking doctrine” is an exception to the constitutional warrant requirements which may be invoked to validate as reasonable a search of a car. The typical instance is when an abandoned, unlocked vehicle is sitting off the roadway, or sitting on a...
Whistleblower Protection Act
The whistleblower protection act (1989) is a law that protects Federal government employees from retaliatory action for voluntary disclosing information about dishonest or illegal activities occurring at a government organization[1] Lawmakers have recognized the...
Cyber Stalking and Cyber Harassment Laws
The right to be left alone, the right to silence and to be free from harassment are “rights” often cited as essential to the First Amendment, but being put to real test in the communications age and the abusive potential of modern electronic communication. Free speech...
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many scenarios in which you may wonder whether or not a police officer may lawfully search your vehicle. The Fourth Amendment protects against unlawful search and seizure without a warrant or probable cause. There are some situations that allow police to...
Are drug courts effective?
As a Missouri resident facing a drug charge, you may have valid fears about potentially having to serve time in jail, if convicted of the offense you are facing. While this is a distinct possibility for many drug offenders, you may be able to avoid having to serve...
How might sobriety checkpoints be unfair to drivers?
With Christmas and New Year’s Eve just around the corner, law enforcement will be stepping up efforts to catch drunk drivers before accidents occur. You and other Missouri residents may understand the need for safety and legality on the roads, but you might not...
