What is Reasonable Doubt?
In the realm of criminal law, the concept of “reasonable doubt” holds immense importance. It isa fundamental standard that must be met for a conviction in criminal trials, ensuring that onlywhen the evidence firmly convinces the jury of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubtcan a guilty verdict be rendered. Understanding this concept is crucial...
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A Guide to Tax Fraud: How to Avoid Mistakes and Get the Most from Your Return
Tax fraud is a serious offense that can have drastic consequences. According to the IRS, around 2,550 financial crimes took place in 2022 involving over $31 billion. There was a 90.6 percent conviction rate on these cases – revealing the government’s determination to crack down on financial crimes. It is essential to understand what constitutes...
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Polygraph Tests: What You Need to Know
You’ve likely seen polygraph tests used in movies and on television shows, but how are these tests used in reality? In this blog, we’ll define polygraph tests, discuss their accuracy and use, explain why they’re not admissible in court, and help you understand your rights when it comes to taking these tests. What Is a...
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Tax Evasion vs. Tax Avoidance: What Are the Legal Risks?
Let’s face it—the word “taxes” alone can be a major stress inducer for most people. A main reason for this is the underlying fear of making a mistake that could lead to an IRS audit, potentially resulting in hefty fines, penalties, or even a jail sentence. In the past three years, there have been more...
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Commonsense: The Owner Of A Vehicle Is The Driver Of The Vehicle
Under Kansas v. Glover, 140 S. Ct. 1183 (2020), the United States Supreme Court determined that law enforcement officers are permitted to conduct an investigative stop solely based on the commonsense notion that the driver of a vehicle will be the owner of the vehicle. In this case, a Kansas deputy ran the vehicle’s license...
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Hot Pursuit of Misdemeanor Offenses
Exigent circumstances can be considered an exception to the Fourth Amendment requirement that police must obtain a warrant before entering a suspect’s home. For example, the “hot pursuit” of a suspect fleeing police can create an exigent circumstance for police to enter the fleeing suspect’s home without a warrant. But, what if the suspect is...
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Beating ShotSpotter in Firearms Trials
Until 10 years ago, the standard gun trial consisted of police officers testifying that they recovered a gun from on or near the suspect and an “expert” concluding the gun was operable and/or manufactured out of state. Today, even the most routine gun cases commonly involved fingerprints and DNA testing, evidence derived from clients’ social...
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Common domestic violence defenses in Missouri
Getting charged with domestic violence can be a terrifying experience, especially if you are innocent. The good news is that there are several options of defenses to a domestic violence charge that you can explore. Self-defense This is one of the most common defenses to a domestic violence charge, and it can be quite effective....
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Second-degree murder penalties in Missouri
Second-degree murder is a very serious crime in Missouri. If you are charged, the rest of your life hangs on the outcome of your case. To clearly understand the severity, let’s look at the potential penalties of murder in the second degree. What constitutes second-degree murder in Missouri? Let’s say you get into a fight...
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Common domestic violence defenses in Missouri
Getting charged with domestic violence can be a terrifying experience, especially if you are innocent. The good news is that there are several options of defenses to a domestic violence charge that you can explore. Self-defense This is one of the most common defenses to a domestic violence charge, and it can be quite effective....
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