Money laundering is a white-collar crime in Missouri involving activities that try to conceal the source of money obtained from illegal activities. If you don't want to be associated or regarded as an accomplice to money laundering, you should know how it works and...
Fourth Amendment vs Moving Vehicle Doctrine: Know Your Rights
In 2014, police officers in Virginia spotted a distinct motorcycle speeding down the highway—so fast that officers couldn’t pursue. It was modified for racing with chrome accents and had been reported as stolen. Officers learned the name of the suspected driver and,...
Don’t be a target! Think before your post on Facebook.
Social networking isn’t just for teens. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, everyone has an account these days. This is nice when you want to say hi to your family or old college buddies, but these networks also draw the attention of unsavory types who can...
Medical Marijuana’s Legal Risks in the Age of Missouri Dispensaries
On October 17th, 2020 in Ellisville and Manchester, Missouri, the first of many medical marijuana dispensaries opened for business to the public. These dispensaries were made possible thanks to a 65% in-favor vote on Amendment 2 to legalize the use of cannabis for...
Gun-Free Zones Leave Us Unprotected
On July 20, 2012, excited patrons gathered at the Century 16 Movie Theater to see the much-anticipated conclusion of a popular movie trilogy. Within only a few minutes of the opening credits, tear gas filled the auditorium. As the audience attempted to flee, deafening...
Illegal Evidence: Police and Prolonged Traffic Stops
In February 2015, the Massachusetts State Police observed a vehicle with broken tail and brake lights. The vehicle had illegally tinted windows but was otherwise properly titled and registered. The driver did not immediately stop and was continuously followed for five...
Some activities that may lead to a money laundering charge
Business owners may find themselves facing allegations of money laundering in a variety of ways, such as by hiring undocumented workers. According to the American Bar Association, the U.S. government may view hiring employees to work "off the books" as a means...
The Doctrine of Qualified Immunity
Recent unrest sparked by perceived police abuse has called for reform, police defunding, and demand for accountability. A Law Enforcement Officer, (LEO), should be aware of the doctrine of “qualified immunity” which protects government officials from liability for...
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 are being put to the test in the communications age due to the abusive potential of modern electronic communication. Free...
Cyber Harassment and Internet Defamation
Missouri law prohibits knowingly communicating a threat to another person if it frightens, intimidates, or causes emotional distress. You cannot use coarse language, offensive to one’s “average sensibility” that puts another person in reasonable apprehension of...
