Most drivers find themselves in situations where officers have issued traffic tickets to them for various reasons. Officers may have accused a driver of driving over the speed limit, failing to stop at a stop sign, running a red light, failing to yield or several other possible traffic violations. While many people do not consider traffic tickets serious, they can have a significant impact on your driving record.
How points for traffic tickets can affect your driving privileges
If you have to get out, prepare for driving on winter roads
Though the holiday season is winding down, the winter weather is here to stay in Missouri for some time. You may not mind the cold and enjoy the occasional snowfall, but you undoubtedly know that winter weather is not always the stark beauty that it can be. In fact, having to drive in winter weather can present plenty of hazards.
How children can benefit from joint-custody arrangements
For many divorced Missouri parents, hearing the term “joint-custody arrangement” can conjure up feelings of sadness, loneliness and depression. When you are in the habit of having your children sleep in the same home as you every night and this suddenly changes, it can prove to be quite an adjustment. At Kelly, Symonds & Reed, LLC, we recognize that it may help you to know that joint-custody arrangements can actually prove highly advantageous for children of divorce, and we have helped many divorcing Missourians navigate custody and related issues.
How much does a Missouri DUI affect auto insurance rates?
When a judge or jury convicts you of drinking and driving in Missouri, you can expect that your life will become exponentially more difficult in numerous ways. While a DUI can make it hard to find a job, hold down a job and otherwise keep up with your responsibilities, it can also prove tremendously expensive once you factor in fines, possible ignition interlock requirements and insurance rate hikes, among related expenses.
Study: Joint-parenting may be best for kids
Going through a divorce can be an emotional process, especially when there are kids involved. Children may go from living with the emotional and financial support of both parents, to residing in a single-parent household. Furthermore, they may get limited to no time with their other parent. A study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that children who are raised in joint-custody situations may experience benefits when compared to children who reside in sole-custody arrangements.
How manslaughter is defined in Missouri
When one person is accused of killing another, law enforcement usually attempts to determine whether the killing was intentional or an act of negligence or recklessness. An intentional act of murder comes with higher penalties than those for an accidental killing. However, any criminal charge resulting from a fatality is serious in Missouri, regardless of the circumstances.
Marriages can be strained during and after the holiday season
Approaching the holidays, you may have noticed your marriage is under a lot more pressure than usual. Whether you are just beginning to experience marital disharmony, or you have been unhappy with your union for a long time, we at the law firm of Kelly, Symonds & Reed, LLC, know that the holidays can be difficult for Missouri residents. In fact, the period after Christmas and New Year’s signals the start of what many family law attorneys call “divorce season.”
Collateral consequences of a Missouri criminal conviction
When a Missouri judge or jury convicts you of a criminal offense, you may face any number of possible repercussions, including hefty fines, possible substance abuse treatment obligations and even jail time, among others. Some offenses, however, can also come back to haunt you in other ways, and you may wind up facing what are known as collateral consequences following a criminal conviction. At Kelly, Symonds & Reed, LLC, we recognize that collateral consequences can have a sizable negative impact on your life, and we have helped many clients facing similar circumstances work to minimize the damage their criminal records cause them.
Is eyewitness identification a reliable source of evidence?
An unknown number of people who are currently incarcerated may not be guilty of committing a crime at all. Innocent people are placed behind bars because they are wrongfully convicted of crimes. Approximately 362 people have been released from their prison sentences after later testing of DNA evidence showed they were innocent. More than 70 percent of these cases involved eyewitness misidentification. This occurs when an eyewitness chooses the wrong person from a physical or photo lineup.
What you should know about aggressive drivers
Aggressive driving is a serious problem in Missouri and across the country. AAA reports that nearly 80 percent of American drivers say they have had feelings of anger and frustration while navigating the roadways. Whether you are late to an important appointment or meeting at work, it can be frustrating to get caught in traffic. When angry drivers engage in dangerous driving behaviors that put other drivers on the road at risk of becoming involved in a catastrophic car accident.
