Criminal Defense
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Missouri Statute of Limitations for Criminal Charges
In Missouri, the State generally has three years to file most felony charges and one year to file a misdemeanor. Murder, class A felonies, and sexual offenses involving minors have no time limit at all. This guide explains the statute of limitations for criminal charges under RSMo 556.036, when the clock starts and stops, the…
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Missouri Stealing Charges: When Theft Becomes a Felony
In Missouri, stealing becomes a felony at $750. Below that, it is usually a misdemeanor, but certain kinds of property, a theft taken directly from a person, and a history of prior stealing offenses can make even a small theft a felony. This guide covers the dollar thresholds and felony classes under RSMo 570.030 as…
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How a Missouri Felony Case Works, Step by Step
A Missouri felony case moves through a series of steps, from arrest to a final resolution, and it usually takes much longer than people expect. Knowing the stages helps you understand what each court date is for and which decisions matter most early. This guide walks through a typical felony case in Missouri state court,…
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After Federal Sentencing: Self-Surrender, Prison Designation, RDAP, and First Step Act Credits
After a federal sentencing, families usually have the same questions: Where will he be sent? When does she report? How much of the sentence is actually served? Can a treatment program or the First Step Act shorten it? This guide answers those questions for people sentenced in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri. One…
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Federal Target Letters and Grand Jury Subpoenas in Missouri
Many people learn they are part of a federal investigation from a piece of paper: a target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, or a subpoena to appear before a federal grand jury. Either one means the investigation is already well along, and what happens next can shape whether charges are filed and what they…
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Can a DWI Be Reduced in Missouri?
Sometimes. A Missouri DWI can be reduced to a lesser offense when the evidence has real weaknesses, but not every “reduction” helps as much as it sounds, and a reduction in the criminal case does not by itself fix the separate license suspension. This guide covers the offenses a DWI is most often reduced to,…
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Missouri Gun Charges: Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Felon in Possession
Missouri has broad gun rights, including carrying a concealed firearm without a permit. But Missouri law still makes certain conduct with a weapon a crime, and several of those offenses are felonies. This guide covers the two statutes behind most Missouri gun charges, unlawful use of a weapon under RSMo 571.030 and unlawful possession of…
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Federal Plea Agreements and Appeal Waivers in Missouri
Most federal criminal cases end in a guilty plea, and most federal guilty pleas come with a written plea agreement. The agreement can shape the sentence, but it also asks the person to give up rights, usually including much of the right to appeal. This guide explains the types of federal plea agreements under Rule…
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Missouri’s Federal Courts: Eastern vs. Western District, by County
Missouri has two federal judicial districts, the Eastern District and the Western District, and together they have eight divisions. Which court hears a federal criminal case depends on the county where the alleged offense happened. This guide shows which counties belong to which district and division, where each court sits, and what is the same…
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Drug Possession Charges in Missouri: Penalties, Priors, and Defenses
Drug possession is the most common charge we defend. In Missouri, possessing any controlled substance other than a small amount of marijuana is a felony, even a single pill or a trace amount, under RSMo 579.015. This guide explains how a possession charge is classified, what “possession” legally means, how prior drug convictions raise the…