One of the most common methods that law enforcement agencies use to catch would-be child sexual abusers is the online sting operation. Police officers will post profiles or ads on sites like Craigslist, pretending to either be an underage person or pretending to offer an underage person for sex. People respond to the posts, agree...

Missouri law prohibits knowingly communicating a threat to another person if it frightens, intimidates, or causes emotional distress. You cannot use coarse language, offensive to one’s “average sensibility” that puts another person in reasonable apprehension of offensive physical conduct, contact, or harm. Court decisions are sorting out just how First Amendment protection extends to the...

If you’re looking forward to celebrating Labor Day Weekend a few days from now, you’re not alone. Given how difficult of a year it has been for Americans, many of us are eager for a three-day weekend and a chance to celebrate the unofficial end of Summer. Most adults traditionally include alcohol in their holiday...

On January 1, 2017, there were substantial revisions to current Missouri criminal federal laws which have a significant effect on school districts. Student misconduct must be reported under the Safe Schools Act.    Felony harassment covers a person who “without good cause, engages in any act with a purpose to cause emotional distress to another person, and...

Title IX states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” In far too many schools across America, students with Title IX claims made against them...

White collar crimes are those that have a foundation in deceit and fraud. In many cases, the goal of them is financial gain. While these actions might not result in physical harm to the victims, they can still have a damaging impact.  There are many types of white collar crimes, but the one thing that...