Every U.S. state has different laws regarding the process young drivers must go through before they can obtain a full driver’s license. These laws are part of statewide Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs that aim to help teen and novice drivers become fully educated about safe driving procedures, practices, and laws before they are on their own behind the wheel.

In Missouri, young drivers may get a learner permit at 15 and they must have it for a minimum of 6 months. 40 supervised driving hours (10 nighttime) are required during this learner stage.

An intermediate stage follows which teens must be 16 years old or older to progress through. Drivers at this stage may drive solo but are restricted from driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. and may not have more than 1 passenger under 19 for the first 6 months.

A recent news story highlighted a rise in crime on the University of Missouri campus.  Although this story was limited to the University of Missouri’s campus, we all know crime can happen when we least expect it.  With this recent news, it’s worthwhile to consider what someone should do if they are a victim of a crime. 

If you are the victim of an assault, mugging, robbery, or other violent or non-violent crime on a parking lot, at a bar, on a campus, on the sidewalk, or in any other private or public area, there are immediate steps you should take to ensure your safety:

If you have a loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility in Missouri, you should be aware that all nursing home residents have legal rights. If you or your loved one ever have a reason to believe that these rights are being violated in any way, you can take legal action against the institution or individual responsible for that violation.

When you visit your loved one, keep an eye out for how your loved one is being treated, if they are being properly cared for, and if their rights are being attended to. This is the best way to watch out for potential red flags of a possible situation where abuse or neglect might occur.

Attorney Mike Campbell was named to the Missouri Lawyers Weekly “Up & Coming 2016″ Class and was honored at a ceremony in October, 2016.   Each “Up and Coming” nominee must be nominated by his/her peers and then must be selected by the staff of Missouri Lawyers Weekly for inclusion into the “Up & Coming” Class.  In 2016, there were 58 Missouri attorneys selected.  According to Missouri Lawyers Weekly, they selected their honorees “based on their demonstration of excellence and their potential to make a difference in the legal profession and their communities.”

Below is an excerpt for attorney Mike Campbell’s inclusion in the publications’ Up & Coming section, which was published shortly before the ceremony:

Construction sites are dangerous work environments full of hazards and potential for disaster.  Simple errors in judgment, defective equipment, and falls from high areas are common construction site accidents that can have fatal consequences.  Explosion injuries, electrocutions, and injuries from falling debris are more examples of the hazards present at many Missouri construction sites.

Missouri construction site workers should be aware of safety precautions they need to take to stay safe.  However, it is the job of the construction site manager to maintain the site and meet all safety expectations.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen and workers are then exposed to dangers that can lead to debilitating and even fatal injury.

According to statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 940 individuals died in car accidents in 2016 throughout the state of Missouri. That number in a significant increase from the fatality total in 2015. So far in 2017, we’re at 323 traffic fatalities as of May. This figure is roughly consistent with last year’s numbers.

It’s in the common interest of everyone who lives in Missouri to see these numbers fall every year instead of rise higher. We all want our roadways and highways to be as safe as possible and for our loved ones to not worry every time they get into a motorized vehicle.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it’s completely natural to feel somewhat helpless over their care at times. How can you be 100% sure they’ll remain safe? How can you trust healthcare professionals to watch over your loved one as necessary? It isn’t easy to place trust in nursing care facilities, but by keeping a close eye on your loved one and the facility, you can potentially protect them from getting hurt, harmed, or abused.

Here are 3 ways you can protect a loved one in a nursing home:

Visit Often and Diversify Your Visits

One of the best ways to ensure your loved one is being taken care of properly is to visit them often. Diversify your visits so staff members are not expecting you. This lets you see how they really care for residents. During your visits, always keep your eyes, ears, and nose open for red flags (see below). Pay attention to how staff members split up shifts and how meals are served. Notice how often the rooms are cleaned and how quickly your loved one’s requests are fulfilled.

Being charged with a crime in Missouri can have serious and life-changing consequences.  Whether you are facing a misdemeanor charge for public intoxication or a felony charge for murder, you and your case stand to benefit from hiring a criminal defense attorney.  The aid of a lawyer will greatly increase your chances of reducing your sentence or winning your case outright.

A good criminal defense attorney will not just simply work to prove your innocence or lessen your sentence.  Instead, a good criminal defense attorney will make sure that the State proves its case against you.  In every case the State is responsible for proving its case against you.  A good criminal defense attorney will make sure that the State does its job if you are forced to take your case to trial.

In misdemeanor cases where a plea is necessary, a criminal defense attorney can work to make sure that you do not serve any jail time or lessen the amount of fines and jail time sought by the State.  Your attorney may also plead your case directly to the court and encourage the court to permit you to complete public service hours or pay fines instead of spending time behind bars.

When it comes to fake IDs, most of us think of high school kids or college underclassmen.  Most often they buy a fake ID online or borrow an older sibling’s drivers license to get into a bar or try to buy alcohol or tobacco.  Even though it is common, it is still a serious offense.  Young people pay no mind to the risk of carrying a fake ID. However, using a fake ID can send you to jail and lead to a permanent record.

Bouncers checking IDs at the front doors of bars can turn all confiscated, suspicious IDs over to the police.  Many bars pay uniformed police officers to monitor activity at the front door or have undercover officers spend time inside.  If caught by these officers using a fake ID, you can be taken into custody immediately.

Arrested and charged with a Missouri DWI in 2017? You should know that recent law changes may affect the outcome of your DWI case and how you are charged. We talked about 2017’s changes to the misdemeanor offenses already, but now it’s time to review a few different felony classes  (C, D, and E) that can be charged under the law.

Missouri DWI/DUI Offenses: Basic Facts Regarding The New DWI Law

C, D, and E Felony Offenses

• For your third Missouri DWI, you will likely be charged with a new Felony class in Missouri, the “E felony”. You will be charged with an “E Felony” if you are considered a “persistent offender” or if you “act with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to someone”.