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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 which provide that between 2020 to present, there has been one death sentence imposed annually. This is a major change from the late 1970s to 2020, a period during which there were 90 executions. JURORS’ ROLE A jury plays a major role in determining whether the defendant charged with a serious crime lives or dies. Specifically, jurors have a responsibility to accurately follow a trial judge...

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 stay at the scene can lead to penalties. Upon the police officer’s arrival, be sure to cooperate and provide requested information such as name, address, and insurance and license information.  GATHER DOCUMENTATION If you are looking to pursue a legal claim against the negligent driver, then it is critical to have documentation and evidence that supports your claim. For example...

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 SEARCH AND SEIZURE The U.S. Constitution Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures by police officers. Under the law, police officers are required to obtain a search warrant prior to conducting any search unless a legal exception applies. Some of the exceptions to obtaining a warrant include: Your voluntary consent to a search. Note that you are not required to consent to a search of your person or your pro...

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 subpoena.   If you are under investigation or facing criminal charges, it is paramount to have a  criminal defense attorney to defend and protect your legal interests. It is also important not to delay seeking defense counsel. The sooner you retain an attorney, so sooner your legal rights will be protected. Call us today to schedule your free case ev...

3 Surprisingly Serious Injuries You Can Sustain in a Slip and Fall Accident Posted by admin  in Personal Injury, Slip and Fall Slip and fall accidents are surprisingly common accidents that are also surprisingly dangerous. In fact, there are several very serious injuries that are closely associated with these frightening accidents. If a property owner’s negligence causes you to be injured in a slip and fall accident, you should speak to an experienced St. Louis slip and fall lawyer as soon as you can. THE STATISTICS The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) shares several enlightening statistics that help to identify exactly how dangerous slip and fall accidents are, including: Falls are the leading cause of visits to the emergency room, and a full 12 percent of these are slip and fall accidents. Five percent of all falls lead to fractures. Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims. Floors and flooring directly contribute to more than 2 million ...

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 car accident claim denied, an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney has the experience and skill to help. A NOTE ABOUT THE CAR INSURANCE COMPANY You recognize that the car insurance company is paid to cover your physical, financial, and emotional damages, but what you may not realize is that the insurance company that is handling your case is in the business of making money. T...

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Actually Do? Posted by admin  in Personal Injury, Uncategorized 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 an attorney must take is to evaluate your claim. When doing this, a lawyer may consider: How you came to suffer your injury or illness Who contributed to your injury or illness Whether you did anything to contribute to your damages The types of damages you’ve suffered Other factors relevant to...