Assault is a serious criminal offense, and the consequences differ depending on the situation. Sometimes, it may be a minor misdemeanor, while other circumstances could lead to a felony charge. But what exactly makes assault go from a misdemeanor to a felony in Missouri? When can a misdemeanor turn into a felony? Missouri classifies assault into four degrees, each with varying levels of severity. Fourth-degree assault is a misdemeanor, and it can stem from allegations related to deliberately causing someone to be fearful of immediate injury, reckless actions that put people at risk of injury ..read more

A traffic stop can be frightening, particularly if the police have reason to suspect you of drunk driving. The situation between flashing lights and loud sirens can be stressful and scary. You may wonder what your rights are and if the police officer can make you leave your car. Why did they pull you over? First, understand that the police need a reason to pull you over—you swerved a little, your headlights were not working, or you kept changing lanes. If they see signs that you might be under the influence and pull you over, they may ask you to step out if they notice you have slurred speech ..read more

Theft is a criminal offense, with the penalties dependent on the value of the items or money stolen. But what happens if the item stolen was a motor vehicle, like a car or truck? In Missouri, motor vehicle theft is a graver offense than simple theft of possessions. Any motor vehicle theft, even a motorcycle, is a felony offense instead of a misdemeanor. Even if the vehicle stolen was secondhand, the offense remains a felony. Why is motor vehicle theft a felony? Motor vehicle theft is a felony due to the severity of the offense. The law considers the unauthorized taking or use of another person ..read more

Facing a suspended license can be a frustrating experience, putting a significant obstacle in your daily routine. But the good news is, after completing the required steps and serving your suspension period, getting back on the road is possible. What are the steps to reclaiming my driver’s license? Regaining driving privileges after a suspension can seem daunting but the process is manageable if you know the proper steps. Ensure eligibility The first step is to verify your eligibility to reinstate your license. This involves ensuring you have fulfilled all the requirements associated with your ..read more

A driving under the influence (DUI) offense in Missouri can trigger a cascade of different consequences. If someone pleads guilty or gets convicted, the judge presiding over their case could incarcerate them or order them to pay large fines. A license suspension is also a common consequence. Many Missouri drivers hope to minimize the penalties they face by pleading guilty. They incorrectly assume that the courts may be more lenient toward them if they are as cooperative as possible. The unfortunate truth is that a guilty plea to a DUI offense does not force a judge to be more considerate durin ..read more

In January 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) declared fentanyl as the deadliest drug threat nationwide. The synthetic opioid drug is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. In Missouri, incidents of overdose increased by 75% since 2019. According to reports, most of the overdoses were related to fentanyl. The dangers of fentanyl The Food and Drug Administration approves fentanyl as an analgesic and anesthetic. DEA, however, notes that its potency poses problems. The synthetic opioid drug is 50 times stronger than heroin as an analgesic and almost 100 times stronge ..read more

There’s more to car theft than just stealing the vehicles or any possessions left inside an automobile. Some individuals may instead target the vehicle’s parts, such as its catalytic converter. Stealing a motor vehicle’s catalytic converter in Missouri is a serious crime. Severe fines and imprisonment – the levels of which are higher than the punishments for simple theft – await those convicted of the offense. Why do thieves target catalytic converters? It might seem like a random part to steal from a vehicle, but thieves target catalytic converters because they contain precious rare metals su ..read more

Finding low-priced designer goods, gadgets and other high-ticket items on online marketplaces is enough to make you double-take. The thought of snagging such a steal can be irresistible, but making the purchase could have consequences. For some time now, goods stolen from major retailers have been making their way to various e-commerce platforms. In Missouri, buying stolen property falls under the receiving stolen property statute. If charged, you could face serious consequences. Think before you buy The thrill of discovering unbeatable deals can sometimes overshadow critical considerations. I ..read more

Facing assault charges is incredibly daunting, especially given the complex legal landscape in Missouri. Navigating your trip through the justice system is best done with experienced representation. At the same time, having a basic grasp of the different degrees of assault and their potential consequences can empower you to make informed decisions about your defense early on. Is assault the same as battery? Missouri incorporates battery offenses within its assault statutes. It means acts charged as battery elsewhere would probably be charged as assault here. What it does not mean is defendants ..read more

In most cases, the police need to have reasonable suspicion to stop a car. This just means that they need a reason to conduct the traffic stop and investigation prior to talking to the driver. An officer may not know that the driver is impaired because they haven’t done things like smelling alcohol on their breath, listening to them slur their speech or giving them field sobriety tests or breath tests. All of that comes later, after the traffic stop, but reasonable suspicion must come first.  So what signs do officers look for in order to make a legal traffic stop and investigate further ..read more