Missouri Attorney Urges Americans Facing Criminal Charges to Consider Future Rights
Nov 12, 2014
St. Peters, MO, (Law Firm Newswire) November 12, 2014 – Missouri criminal defense attorney Charlie James of the James Law Group is urging all those facing criminal charges — even minor ones — to fully understand the future consequences of a conviction before agreeing to a plea.
“Most people do not realize that our government allows the consequences of a conviction, even a misdemeanor conviction, to last for years and decades,” said James. “What starts out as simple probation or a fine can turn into a long road of frustration because of regulations and exclusionary laws.”
After conviction of a misdemeanor offense in Missouri, a person may be legally denied the ability to obtain a wide range of professional licenses, according to the American Bar Association. Restrictions apply to hundreds of professions including security guard, dentist, schoolteacher and barber.
In addition, some convictions carry permanent ineligibility for some educational assistance and scholarship programs.
In recent years, Missouri has taken steps to reduce some of the consequences of conviction. Earlier this summer, Governor Jay Neal signed a law reducing ineligibility for food stamps for those with felony drug convictions.
Nonetheless, as the American Bar Association website shows, hundreds of temporary and permanent restrictions are still placed on persons convicted of criminal offenses in Missouri.
James encouraged those facing a criminal charge of any kind to use the American Bar Association Collateral Consequences search tool or to contact a criminal defense attorney before agreeing to a guilty plea.
“Sometimes a plea is the best option,” said James. “But a knowledgeable attorney can help negotiate the terms of the plea, which can have a big effect on the opportunities someone can access 10 or 20 years down the road.”
Learn more at http://www.jameslawgroup.net/.
James Law Group, LLC
14 Richmond Center Court
St. Peters, MO 63376
Phone: 636.397.2411
Toll Free: 800.229.7112
- More deaths and injuries linked to GM ignition switch defect
The independent administrator of the General Motors (GM) compensation fund has found more deaths and injuries caused by the faulty ignition switches than GM originally found on its own. The new count includes at least six more deaths and four more injuries that GM has not acknowledged. And the independent administrator, Kenneth Feinberg, says that […] - Three essential steps for claiming workers’ compensation benefits
Obtaining workers’ compensation benefits can seem like an intimidating process, especially if your employer shows no interest in helping you with it. The Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation recommends that you consult a lawyer if you feel confused or unsure about the process. While following a successful claim to completion can take some work, here […] - Despite new bill, Missouri marijuana laws still strict
This summer, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed a bill that legalized some medical uses of cannabidiol (CBD) and some growing of marijuana in order to produce that oil. However, the new law still leaves most medical marijuana use and all recreational use prohibited in the state. CBD is an oil that can be extracted […] - New report calls on employers to help prevent MSDs
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a new report designed to help employers prevent the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in their employees. The report focuses on the ways employers can assess and correct the injury risks posed by work postures and repetitive motions. Some of the most common and […] - Identifying signs of unintentional nursing home neglect
Nursing home neglect is not always intentional. It is easy to imagine those who would mistreat elders as malicious or unbalanced. But kind, considerate caregivers who lack training can endanger patients through inadvertent neglect. A cheerful and pleasant caregiver does not always guarantee the safety of a long-term care resident in his or her charge. […]
