8:00 - 5:00

Hours Mon. - Fri.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Should You Plead Guilty to a Crime?

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Missouri?

When the state charges you with a crime, you can choose to fight the case against you or to plead guilty. The choice to plead guilty is an extremely important one and involves weighing a number of factors, including whether you believe you committed a crime, the strength of the case against you, and the potential consequences you are facing should you choose to fight the case. While an attorney can advise you as to the relative pros and cons associated with choosing to plead guilty or not, the choice is always up to you. Pleading Guilty Can Mitigate Your Consequences Many...

Continue reading

How Summer Can Expose You & Your Children to an Increased Risk of Injury

How Summer Can Expose You & Your Children to an Increased Risk of Injury

With the summer months finally among us, many of us plan vacations, pool days, trips to the lake, and other activities. While summer is undoubtedly a time adults and children alike look forward to, it's critical to keep in mind that summer activities also come with an inherent risk of injury. Pools and Spas Are Dangerous Places Beating the heat by heading to the pool is a classic summer tradition, but as with any water-based activity, it also exposes visitors to a risk of serious injury. From slip and falls to exposure to toxic chemicals to near-drowning events, preventable accidents at pools...

Continue reading

Who is at Fault for a Rear-End Collision in Missouri?

Who is at Fault for a Rear-End Collision in Missouri?

You may have heard that the driver of the trailing vehicle is always at fault for rear-end accidents. While it's certainly true that the rear driver is often at fault for these kinds of crashes, there are cases where the driver of the front vehicle can be held liable. As a result, you should always speak to an experienced lawyer after a rear-end accident, regardless of whether you were in the front or the rear vehicle. Missouri Law on Rear-End Collisions Under Missouri case law, there is a presumption that the driver of the rear vehicle is at fault for a rear end accident. This rule is known as the...

Continue reading

An Overview of CBD and Related Laws in Missouri

An Overview of CBD and Related Laws in Missouri

Consumers across the United States are using products containing cannabidiol, also known as CBD, for a variety of reasons, including pain and anxiety relief. Stores are selling a variety of CBD products, including oils, topicals, and edibles - however, cannabis is not legal for recreational possession in Missouri. As a cannabis product, is selling or possessing CBD products legal in Missouri? The laws regarding CBD can be confusing, and they vary from state to state with no current federal standard. In 2014, Missouri passed a law that allowed some patients to obtain and possess hemp extracts, which is a cannabis preparation that contains less than .3...

Continue reading

4 Insurance Tricks Insurance Companies Use to Minimize Settlement Payments

4 Insurance Tricks Insurance Companies Use to Minimize Settlement Payments

When a driver causes a car accident or you fall in a store, the responsible party’s insurance company should pay for all of your losses, right? Unfortunately, it is not always that easy, since insurance companies regularly challenge injury claims. These companies are businesses first, and to maximize profits, they try to minimize settlement payments as much as possible. The following are four tricks that insurers may use to reduce your settlement. 1. Challenge Liability If an injured accident victim was also partially at fault for a collision, their recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault. Therefore, insurance companies will...

Continue reading

Happy Father’s Day: A Tribute to Our Founder

Happy Father’s Day: A Tribute to Our Founder

Before opening his own firm in 1954, Raymond A. Bruntrager served in the circuit attorney's office, prosecuting many high-profile cases, including over 50 felony cases, and establishing himself as a success-driven, criminal defense attorney. It was in this office that Bruntrager tried his most famous case: The Southwest Bank Robbery in 1953, which was eventually made into a movie, The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery starring Steve McQueen in 1959. Raymond A. Bruntrager was many things throughout his lifetime. An Army Air Force Veteran, an honoree of the Soldier's Medal, a lawyer, a business owner, and a father to name a...

Continue reading

Can You Be Fired for a DWI in Missouri?

Can You Be Fired for a DWI in Missouri?

A DWI conviction is a serious matter that can have wide-ranging consequences on every aspect of your life. If the police arrested you for drunk driving, you may be wondering whether you could lose your job, and the short answer is "yes." Missouri is an at-will employment state, which means that an employer may terminate an employee at any time, and for any reason, so long as the reasons for firing someone isn't prohibited by law. As a result, a DWI could certainly result in the loss of your job, so it's critical that anyone facing DWI charges in the...

Continue reading

The Collateral Consequences of a 1st-Time DWI in Missouri

The Collateral Consequences of a 1st-Time DWI in Missouri

Many people fail to take a first-time charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI) as seriously as they should. This is often because a first DWI charge is generally a Class B misdemeanor, and defendants believe they will just get probation and move on with their lives. In reality, even a first DWI conviction can have lasting consequences that go far beyond court-ordered penalties. It is never a good idea to try to handle a DWI case on your own, as it can mean unnecessary convictions and consequences. Contact a St. Louis DWI defense attorney at Bruntrager & Billings, P.C. for...

Continue reading

Can You Recover Compensation after a Slip and Fall Accident in St. Louis?

Can You Recover Compensation after a Slip and Fall Accident in St. Louis?

Many of us have slipped and fallen down at some point in our lives, only to get up and brush ourselves off, heading on our way with only a bruised ego. However, many slip and fall victims are not nearly this fortunate, as their falls may result in serious and lasting injuries. One moment they were grocery shopping and the next, they were in the emergency room and facing piles of medical bills, ongoing treatment, missed work, and more. If your slip and fall accident caused you serious injuries and losses, it is only natural to wonder whether the law entitles...

Continue reading

Missouri Marijuana Law Update

Canva-Shallow-Focus-Photography-of-Cannabis-Plant

Marijuana-related laws are constantly changing in the United States and they vary, from state to state. This can make it confusing for people to know what is legal and what could lead to an arrest and criminal charges. The following are some updates on the state of marijuana laws in Missouri. Always remember that the laws in neighboring states are different, so you can never just assume that what is lawful or unlawful in Missouri will be the same just across the river in Illinois. Medical Marijuana Laws Last November, voters decided that Missouri should legalize marijuana use for medical purposes, and...

Continue reading