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Do you require legal counsel for juvenile offenses in Missouri? - law-stl

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  Any person involved in a legal proceeding has the right to be represented by a  St. Louis attorney . However, not everyone can afford to hire an attorney.    In these cases, the court may appoint a free attorney to represent the person. The criteria for appointing a free attorney are governed by certain statutes and Supreme Court Rules.    The most important criteria is whether the person is indigent. This means that the person cannot afford to hire an attorney. In addition to being indigent, the person must also request appointment of counsel. The court will not appoint an attorney for someone who does not request it.   The court may also appoint an attorney for a child, even if the child’s parents are not indigent. This is because children are often not able to represent themselves in court and need the help of an attorney to protect their rights.   The court may also appoint an attorney for a custodian, but only if the custodian is indigent a...

Pre-arrest criminal investigation: seven ways a lawyer can help

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  Pre-arrest criminal investigation: seven ways a lawyer can help If you are under investigation by the police, it is important to have a  criminal investigation lawyer  represent you as soon as possible. Here are seven benefits of having a lawyer during the pre-arrest criminal investigation stage:   1. Your lawyer will have an in-depth conversation with you to find out what you know and why the police are investigating you. This will help your lawyer start developing a defense strategy early on.   2. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough, independent investigation to gather evidence that could help your case. This could include obtaining cell phone records, interviewing witnesses, or hiring a private investigator.   3. Scrutinizing the officers’ conduct. When the police arrest you, they must follow the law. If they violate your constitutional rights during the arrest, the evidence they gather against you may be suppressed. This means that the judge will not ...

Basics of Workers Compensation Claims in St Louis | law-stl

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  Taking the complexity out of St Louis Workers Compensation Claims! Steer through the process effortlessly with our indispensable legal insights. Source URL:  https://law-stl.com/understanding-the-basics-of-workers-compensation-claims-in-st-louis/

Will a Drunk Driving Crash Be Covered By the Insurance Company? - law-stl

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  If you're involved in a drunk driving crash, your insurance company may not cover the damages. Learn more about what to expect after a drunk driving accident. Source URL:  https://law-stl.com/will-a-drunk-driving-crash-be-covered-by-the-insurance-company/

Determining the Value of a Personal Injury Case

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  If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, there’s a good chance you’re wondering how much you will be able to recover. As a victim, it’s extremely important to understand that determining the value of a personal injury claim is a complicated issue, and insurance companies actively take steps to limit the amount of money they pay out. These two factors combined make it highly advisable for you to retain a St. Louis personal injury attorney as soon as you can to protect your legal rights. IN MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS, YOU CAN RECOVER FOR BOTH YOUR ECONOMIC AND NON-ECONOMIC LOSSES Under state law in both Illinois and Missouri, people who are injured by the negligence of others are typically entitled to compensation for all of their accident-related losses. Compensable losses include both economic losses, like bills that you incur because of your accident, and non-economic losses, like the pain you experience as a result of your injuries. Examples of sp...

What happens if I am pulled over while under the influence of marijuana or other drugs?

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  April 20th, or 4/20, is a popular “holiday” among marijuana drug users. While many believe the term “420” derives from the police code for marijuana, it actually originates from a group of five Californian students who regularly smoked at 4:20 PM, and what started as a time to meet up and smoke, 420 eventually surpassed this group of five and made its way into the English vernacular. With 4/20 quickly approaching, the state of Missouri has begun its first ever, “420 drugged-driving enforcement campaign,” meant to quash the number of people driving under the influence on this unofficial “holiday.” According to Fox 4 – KC, “MoDOT said law enforcement will be out in full force April 19-20 to crack down on drugged driving offenders.” So, with that being said, what happens if I am pulled over while under the influence of marijuana or other drugs? When people hear the words “driving under the influence,” they most often think of drunk driving, but driving under the influence of marijua...

Defending Against Drug Possession And Trafficking Charges

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  According to Drug Abuse statistics, about 1.16 million Americans are arrested for drug-related offences yearly. If you are charged with drug possession or trafficking, it’s important to have a good defense strategy, as you could face severe consequences involving fines and jail time. Fortunately,  Bruntrager & Billings, P.C.  attorneys are experts at providing defenses against drug possession and trafficking. We have been helping the people of St Louis for decades and can help you find the right defense strategy for your case. Yet, before you speak with our attorneys, it’s an excellent idea to learn more about your possible defenses for these crimes. So continue reading to learn more. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRUG POSSESSION AND DRUG TRAFFICKING? Before we look at a few popular defenses you could use for a drug possession or trafficking charge, we’ve briefly detailed the difference between the two. Knowing the difference will help you establish which de...