If you have been charged with violating an order of protection, resisting arrest, or another criminal offense in Missouri, one of the most important strategic decisions in your case is whether you should testify in your own defense. A recent Missouri Court of Appeals decision serves as an importa...
When someone is accused of a serious crime, one of the most powerful defenses is an alibi—proof that the accused was somewhere else when the alleged offense occurred. But a recent Missouri Court of Appeals decision shows that how and when an alibi is disclosed can make or break a defense. In Sta...
Traffic stops are one of the most common ways criminal cases begin in Missouri. What starts as a minor violation—speeding, a broken taillight, or expired tags—can quickly escalate into a drug investigation, an arrest, and serious criminal charges. A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appe...
A recent decision from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, provides an important and sobering example of how courts analyze claims involving sexual abuse and the legal concept known as “forcible compulsion.”
In State v. Rivers, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, affirmed a felon-in-possession conviction, holding that accessibility, visibility, and flight supported a finding of knowing, actual possession.
In Koenig v. State of Missouri, the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief under Rule 24.035, reinforcing the substantial deference appellate courts give to motion-court credibility findings and plea-hearing records.
An improper search in Missouri is an illegal search that violates an individual's constitutional right to privacy.
A criminal record can follow you long after a case is over—affecting employment, housing, professional licensing, and peace of mind. Fortunately, Missouri law allows many people to expunge certain criminal records, effectively removing them from public view and restoring important civil rights. U...
Being listed on the Missouri sexual offender registry can have lasting and severe consequences for employment, housing, family life, and reputation. For some individuals, however, Missouri law provides a legal path to removal from the registry. Understanding who qualifies, when a petition may be ...