In Missouri and other states, deliberately and maliciously neglecting, harming or killing an animal is considered a crime. Unless you are lawfully hunting game, you can face serious consequences if your actions result in the death or injury of an animal. The penalties may include fines and prison time.
What constitutes animal cruelty, and what are the charges?
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.
How are assault and battery different from each other?
If Missouri law enforcement officers charged you with assault and battery after you participated in a fight or argument, you may think you face one criminal charge. Actually, you face two. As FindLaw explains, while assault and battery are very similar, they are not the same, and the prosecutor must be able to prove different things before you receive a conviction or either.
Bars should not be violent: part 2
Previously, we discussed two Missouri bar fights, both with dire consequences for those involved. At Kelly, Symonds & Reed, LLC., we believe that a quick drink or an evening of relaxation should never degenerate into shooting, stabbing or other forms of violence.
Bars should not be violent: part 1
Bar patrons in Missouri usually do not expect violence to erupt while they are out having a good time. However, sometimes situations get out of hand. It is the responsibility of the entities that facilitate drinking to prevent these altercations from happening, but they occasionally lapse in their duties.
