When someone in Missouri is convicted of a crime, they might face imprisonment or steep fines depending on the offense. But judges have alternatives to sending someone to jail. And this year marks the 35th anniversary of one state program that focuses on...
3 standardized field sobriety tests you may face
Police officers have several ways to determine if a driver is impaired during a traffic stop. One of these is the use of sobriety tests. While there are many performed across the country, there are only three specific tests that comprise the standardized field...
Could your phone be tapped?
Could the federal authorities be listening in on your private conversations? While most people tend to think of wiretapping as one of the “big guns” that investigators only pull out when they’re looking to take down an international crime figure or a major weapons...
What is the obstruction of justice?
The phrase “obstruction of justice” is bandied about in the news a lot these days, so we thought it might be informative to discuss exactly what this phrase means -- and why it is considered a crime. Obstruction of justice is, essentially, an offense against the...
Arrests made in case of missing St. James teen
Those in Springfield who have been charged with criminal offenses are afforded the benefit of being considered innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, actually ensuring that this benefit is delivered upon may be an uphill battle. News regarding the circumstances...
Internet sex crimes: How easy it is to get into trouble
The internet can be a strange place. Both impossibly vast and able to help people connect like never before, it’s also a minefield for the unwary. Most people don’t realize just how easy it is to end up charged with a sex crime due to their internet activities --...
Why it’s smart to be wary of DNA evidence
Commercial genetic tests that rely on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) have become increasingly popular among consumers -- so much so that they’re even given as holiday gifts. But DNA tests aren’t just being used to uncover consumers’ genetic ancestry: They’re also being...
How a DWI can damage your professional career
When you’re a professional, a charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI) by drugs or alcohol isn’t just a problem -- it can also be the end of your career. While everyone’s circumstances can be unique, there are numerous unexpected consequences of a drunk driving...
Don’t do these things on your work computer
If you’re like most business professionals, you spend more of your day in front of a computer than away from it. There’s a danger in familiarity, however, because you may be inclined to relax a little and treat your work computer as if it were your own. Don’t do it....
Understanding attorney-client privilege: What everyone should know
You only need passing familiarity with the American legal system to know that attorney-client privilege is one of its most important features. But what exactly does “attorney-client privilege” mean? What are its limits? If you’re facing any kind of investigation from...
