Jackson County General Law Blog

In many cases, Missouri motorists who receive convictions for drunk driving must install what is known as an ignition interlock on their cars, vans or trucks, which are devices that prevent the vehicle from starting up until the driver provides a suitable breath sample. At Kelly, Symonds & Reed, LLC, we recognize that ignition interlock devices can prove quite costly, in addition to being a hindrance, and we have helped many people facing drunk driving charges defend themselves against these allegations.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, anyone who receives more than one alcohol-related traffic offense must install an ignition interlock device on their vehicles for at least six months or longer. However, you may need to do so even as a first-time offender if the court determines it is necessary. Additionally, you will need to install the device on your vehicle at your own expense before the court will reinstate your driving privileges or issue you a restricted license.

Our hearing is important to us, yet few of us consider the possibility of sustaining permanent hearing damage until that damage is already done. It is also easier to cause damage to your hearing than you may think. At the law office of Kelly, Symonds & Reed, LLC, we know that most people in Missouri and elsewhere suffer hearing loss by the time they reach their senior years, but we are also aware that some people, including those who work in construction, are more prone than others to begin losing their hearing earlier in life.

If you work in construction, you may be exposed to loud, constant noise from construction vehicles and machinery every day on the job. Extremely loud noises, such as the sound a jackhammer makes, can start to damage your hearing within hours if your ears are unprotected. Other sounds that are not quite as loud, such as the constant drone of machines and engines in the background, can cause hearing damage over time. As you may be aware, an extremely loud and sudden noise, such as the report from a nearby explosion, can cause immediate and potentially permanent hearing damage.

When a resident of Missouri is convicted of a DUI, the consequences can be farther-reaching than they suspect. It is crucial for anyone facing a DUI-related charge to fight against it. Having just one DUI conviction on record can completely change the course of a person's life.

The Missouri Department of Revenue takes a look at Missouri's current DUI laws and how they can be strengthened. They are looking into doing this in an effort to cut down on intoxicated driving. Many of these new laws are designed to crack down harder on repeat offenders or people who are charged with DUI at very high blood alcohol content (BAC) levels. However, just about anyone facing a DUI-related charge could also face fines, potential jail time, and the possibility of license suspension or revocation.

Many people do not fully understand what stalking entails when it comes to criminal law. They may assume that an overly friendly co-worker is stalking them, or that it can be considered stalking when someone comments too much on their social media accounts. It is important for you and other Missouri residents to understand that real stalking can come with serious criminal penalties.

According to FindLaw, stalking most often occurs among people who are romantically involved, especially after the relationship has ended. However, stalking can also be present when one person develops a crush on another or when someone becomes enamored with a celebrity or other public figure. You should understand that stalking does not involve merely an isolated incident. Rather, this is behavior that is repetitious, deliberate and usually intended to make the target feel intimidated or frightened. Stalking can involve someone following another person home from work, calling or texting the other person repeatedly or taking photographs of the other person without his or her permission.