The Law Office of Gregory N. Smith Legal Blog

After a year-long investigation by several Missouri law enforcement agencies, 11 people were arrested and accused of drug crimes. Three more individuals were subsequently arrested for possible drug activity during the investigation. Each of the individuals face Missouri criminal accusations for possession of drugs and other drug-related offenses. The Missouri Highway Patrol, along with local forces such as the Laclede…

The country’s attitude about marijuana has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. However, a criminal defense attorney knows that other policy shifts are also underway regarding federal drug enforcement and accompanying mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines. For example, the U.S. Sentencing Commission recently voted to retroactively reduce sentences for certain convicted drug offenders. Readers may question what underlies this apparent policy…

The penalties for many drug crimes can be surprisingly harsh, partly due to the federal sentencing scheme. For example, a charge of drug trafficking may implicate federal law and the sentencing guidelines promulgated by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Notably, various federal leaders have already made efforts to reform the drug sentencing guidelines. For example, the guidelines for drug trafficking offenses…

When it comes to a sexual assault allegation, privacy is of the utmost concern — for both parties. In the event of a conviction, a criminal defendant may face a felony on his or her record and mandatory sex offender registration. In addition, there may be federal rules addressing sexual harassment. Yet not all sex crime allegations may be founded…

Readers may be aware that there are both state and federal laws against the possession, delivery, manufacturing, sale, trafficking and/or distribution of drugs or other controlled substances. Given that overlap, it may make sense for local or state officials to partner with federal counterparts in enforcement efforts. However, there is also a lesser-known financial incentive: equitable sharing. Under this federal…

A criminal defense attorney knows the damaging effect that inflammatory or overly prejudicial evidence may have on a jury. Indeed, there’s an evidentiary objection that can be made on that basis, where the prejudicial aspect of a proposed submission outweighs its probative value. Yet according to a recent article, jurors in a criminal trial may not even realize that much…

Any Missouri resident who has ever been charged with a crime most likely understands the anxiety and fear that can arise in the aftermath of the incident. Many worry that a background check that shows a past arrest will become an obstacle as they attempt to begin their life anew. A criminal defense lawyer would typically be able to assess…