26 April

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What Considerations Does a Jury Have to Make When Considering the Death Penalty?

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While most states have capital punishment, the use of the death penalty has become rarer and rarer. Overall, the use of the death penalty has declined across the country. In fact, in 2017, under 40 death penalty sentences were invoked compared to 300 annually in the 1990s. That said, if you are facing criminal charges that could result in capital punishment, it’s imperative that you retain a St. Louis criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. Missouri and the Death Penalty Missouri is a death penalty state. The downward death penalty trend is reflected in data on Missouri death penalty rates...

21 April

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General Checklist for Car Accident Victims

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in Car Accidents, Uncategorized

General Checklist for Car Accident Victims

Suffering injuries in a preventable accident can be a difficult and confusing experience. Fortunately, there are certain steps that you can take to protect your legal rights and maximize the chances of getting the compensation you deserve. The most important of these is to call a St. Louis personal injury attorney at Bruntrager & Billings as soon as you can. Do Not Leave the Scene of the Accident In Missouri, drivers are legally obligated to remain at the scene of a car accident that results in a personal injury, death, or damage to another's property, such as a wrecked car. Failure to...

13 April

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Can the Police Search Your Cell Phone Without Your Consent?

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in Legal Advice, Uncategorized

Can the Police Search Your Cell Phone Without Your Consent?

Interactions with the police can be stressful and confusing, especially when you are unaware of a police officer’s limitations under the law. For example, if you have been arrested and the police are searching for the contents of your cell phone, you may be wondering if they can freely do so without your consent. As is often the case in legal questions, the answer is that it depends. The best way to protect your rights after an arrest or search or seizure of your property is to contact a St. Louis criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. The Basics of...

07 April

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The Crucial Role of Criminal Defense Attorneys

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in Criminal Defense, Uncategorized

The Crucial Role of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Criminal defense attorneys play a crucial role in U.S. criminal justice system by ensuring their clients facing criminal charges have their legal rights protected. In fact, criminal defense attorneys owe a legal duty to their clients to advocate on their behalf in an effective and zealous manner. The American Bar Association provides that this ethical duty extends in all cases where a criminal prosecution may reasonably result. For example, this duty applies if a person is under investigation or being prosecuted for an alleged criminal act or simply needing legal advice regarding a potential, current or previous criminal matter or...

24 March

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How to Handle a Denied Car Accident Claim

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in Car Accidents, Uncategorized

How to Handle a Denied Car Accident Claim

You’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, and the situation is difficult enough. If the at-fault driver’s insurance provider, however, proceeds to deny your claim, the matter is that much more dire. While it is unfortunate that the insurance company is putting you through this additional anxiety on top of everything else, it is important to understand that the law – and not the insurance company itself – will ultimately decide how your car accident claim will be resolved (if the insurance company refuses to engage in fair negotiations). If you find yourself in the difficult position of having your...

15 March

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Using a Living Trust to Avoid Probate

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in Uncategorized, Will or Trust

The administration of one’s estate is rarely an easy process. There are ways to make it easier, though, and using a living trust to avoid probate may help you and your loved ones avoid several common headaches. Why Avoid the Probate Process? Probate is the court-led review of a decedent’s will or wishes to determine how assets should be divided amongst heirs. In addition, probate typically involves an accounting of assets, payment of debts, and other matters. In general, it’s a good idea to avoid probate as much as possible because: Probate can add additional costs to the estate administration process Probate...

11 March

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What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Actually Do?

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in Personal Injury, Uncategorized

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Actually Do?

If you have recently been hurt in a preventable accident, you may be wondering whether you need an attorney – especially if the other party or their insurance company has made a settlement offer. In most cases, it is highly advisable to retain an attorney, as it can even the playing field between you and an insurance company that handles injury claims every day. Below we discuss some of the things that personal injury lawyers do when representing injured victims. To discuss your case with a personal injury attorney in St. Louis, call our office today. Evaluate your claim The first step...

09 March

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Can You Ever Recover Compensation for a Single Vehicle Accident?

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in Car Accidents, Uncategorized

Can You Ever Recover Compensation for a Single Vehicle Accident?

When you think of recovering compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional losses (or legal damages) in a car accident claim, your mind likely got to two-car accidents in which the other driver is at fault. This scenario, however, doesn’t cover all such claims. Sometimes, single car accidents are caused by the negligence of other entities, and this fact shouldn’t be overlooked. If a single car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence causes you to be injured, look to the professional legal guidance of an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer today. Road Defects Sometimes, defects in the road itself...

03 March

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Drug Charges Can Affect Your Educational Opportunities

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in Drug Conviction, Drug Possession, Uncategorized

Drug Charges Can Affect Your Educational Opportunities

Make no mistake: drug charge - or criminal charges of any kind - can affect your educational opportunities. Being charged with a drug-related offense may: Prevent you from gaining admission to certain universities Harm your candidacy for graduate and postgraduate programs Result in suspension or expulsion from your current university Result in the loss of scholarships, financial aid, or other education-related benefits It’s in your interest to defend yourself from drug charges of any kind. A criminal defense attorney from Bruntrager & Billings, P.C., will lead your defense. Drugs Charges That Can Jeopardize Your Educational Opportunities Missouri maintains a long list of drug-related...

16 February

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What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

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in Automobile Accident, Uncategorized

There are many possible causes of motorcycle accidents, including those that entitle victims to compensation under Missouri and Illinois law. Read on to learn more, and to find out whether you have a claim, call our office today to speak with a St. Louis personal injury attorney. Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents Motor vehicles pose the greatest threat to motorcyclists. Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to die in an accident than a motor vehicle driver who strikes them. Motorists, therefore, have a great responsibility to avoid striking motorcyclists. Motor vehicle drivers may breach their...