You’ve likely seen polygraph tests used in movies and on television shows, but how are these tests used in reality? In this blog, we’ll define polygraph tests, discuss their accuracy and use, explain why they’re not admissible in court, and help you understand your...
Criminal Defense
Common domestic violence defenses in Missouri
Getting charged with domestic violence can be a terrifying experience, especially if you are innocent. The good news is that there are several options of defenses to a domestic violence charge that you can explore. Self-defense This is one of the most common defenses...
Second-degree murder penalties in Missouri
Second-degree murder is a very serious crime in Missouri. If you are charged, the rest of your life hangs on the outcome of your case. To clearly understand the severity, let's look at the potential penalties of murder in the second degree. What constitutes...
Challenges to Breathalyzer results
A Breathalyzer is a device that measures blood alcohol content from a breath sample. State laws allow officers in Springfield, Missouri, to use them to check suspected drivers for DUI. However, studies question their accuracy and drivers can challenge them in court....
How big of a problem are false accusations of DV in contest child custody cases?
Child custody negotiations are an extremely stressful time for parents. When each parent wants to gain custody of their children, they may do anything to keep their children with them. Unfortunately, some parents may consider falsely accusing the other spouse of...
False claims of domestic violence in child custody battles
Some families in Missouri have real issues with domestic violence, and one parent may need to take sole custody of the children for safety reasons. However, it is also important to understand that false accusation of domestic violence is a common problem in divorce...
Can you get removed from a sex offender registry in Missouri?
If the state convicted you of a sex offense, the law requires you to register as a sex offender. Your registration can drastically affect everything from your employment prospects to your relationships to your future. Until not too long ago, Missouri had some of the...
Ava man facing current, past accusations of domestic violence
Cases allegedly involving something as grave as domestic violence certainly warrant the serious attention of law enforcement officials in Missouri. That said, people must remember that they cannot allow the emotion prompted by such charges to steer them in the...
Is it still embezzlement if an employee intends to repay the money?
You may work in your company’s finance department, dealing with thousands of dollars of transactions and cash management. When you face an unexpected costly medical bill, you may feel tempted to use some of the money from your company to pay it off quickly. You plan...
What are Missouri’s self-defense laws?
Claims of self-defense seem to so often be the response to accusations of violent crime in Missouri that you may immediately meet them with skepticism. Yet at the same time, you also may recognize that there are situations where you may feel compelled to act to defend...
