While it remains illegal to possess, distribute, or cultivate marijuana on a federal level, many states, including Missouri, have passed various and confusing laws that can leave the general public confused regarding marijuana’s legal status. ...
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While it is true that the standard outcome of a simple DUI case in which there are no aggravating factors typically does not involve jail time, it’s important to understand that every DUI is a serious matter, and the collateral consequences of a DUI conviction can often be much more damaging than the sentence imposed by the judge....
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Today, November 1, 2019, US News and Best Lawyers announced its “Best Law Firms” for 2020 and Bruntrager & Billings P.C. was one of those elite named law firms...
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It's important to understand, however, that many pranks that we cast aside as "kids just being kids" can actually result in criminal liability....
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For this reason, if you’re facing allegations of a violent criminal offense, it’s in your best interest to speak to a St. Louis criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. ...
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If you have been accused of a drug crime in Missouri or Illinois, it’s vital to be aware of the fact that if you are convicted of a drug crime, there are certain collateral consequences that could affect you for years or even decades after your court-imposed sentence has ended. ...
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The lawyers at Bruntrager & Billings explain Missouri's "Good Samaritan Law" and how it applies to drug overdoses....
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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...
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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...
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Often, when a police officer pulls you over, you may receive a citation and be sent on your way. While this may be a frustrating situation, it is much better than what some drivers experience when a police officer wants to search the driver’s car. The 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution gives you protection against unreasonable search and seizure, which applies to places in which you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Generally speaking, police need a search warrant to conduct a search without violating your 4th Amendment rights. However, there are some exceptions to the warrant requirement...
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