PMCW Law

No matter the season, the Lake of the Ozarks is truly a beautiful community in which to live and work. All of us at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. consider ourselves very lucky to get to be a part of such a wonderful community, and we hope our fellow residents do as well. The Lake Area provides many great opportunities to spend time with your friends and family without having to pay for entertainment. Are you aware of all the free things there are to do at the Lake of the Ozarks? If you're looking for something fun to do that won't break your bank, give some of these activities a try. Hiking Ha Ha Tonka. This photo of Camdenton is courtesy of MissouriStateParks. The Lake of the Ozarks is home to some of Missouri's most beautiful state parks. If you and your loved ones enjoy getting out and exploring gorgeous wooded areas, you'll have to visit some of these locations: Ha Ha Tonka State Park  in Camdenton, MO Lake of ...

Imagine that you've just gotten off of work after a long day at the office. Unexpected issues came up at the last minute, causing you stay later than you'd originally planned. You're late for dinner with your family, so you decide to send a quick text once you're on the road to give them an update on your timing. Sound like a familiar scenario? We've probably all felt the urge to text someone while we're driving, for a variety of different reasons. The only problem is that by sending that quick, seemingly innocent text you could not only break the law, but it could also endanger the lives of those around you. Missouri Texting & Driving Laws Missouri is one of very few states in the U.S. that does not have a total ban on texting and driving. However, it is illegal in the state of Missouri to: Text while driving if you are 21 years of age or younger Text (and talk on the phone) while operating a commercial vehicle If you are caught violat...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! With March 17th just around the corner, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. thought it would fun to dedicate this week's blog post to exploring the history of this lively holiday. You know you're supposed to wear green, but what else do you know about St. Patrick's Day? Saint Patrick Saint Patrick, also known as the "Apostle of Ireland" or the "Patron Saint of Ireland," is credited with bringing the Christian faith to the people of Ireland. Little is known about Patrick's early life, but most historians agree that he was born somewhere towards the end of the 4th century AD, probably in Britain.  In his early adulthood, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland, where he was sold into slavery and imprisoned. He remained there for about six years, and it is during this time that he is said to have undergone a religious transformation. He eventually escaped, but...

In the United States, c riminal offenses are broken into three predominant categories:  Infractions Misdemeanors Felonies These categories are designated according to how serious the offense is and what the convicted individual's future consequences will be. Our Lake of the Ozarks criminal defense attorneys are here to help you gain a better understanding of these different types of criminal charges. Infractions Infractions are the most minor forms of criminal charges. These charges are not usually punishable by jail time. Instead, infractions are punishable by fines that can almost always be handled without even going to court.  Infractions are generally local laws designed to inhibit annoying or potentially dangerous behavior. Examples include traffic laws, anti-noise ordinances, and no parking zones. Misdemeanors Misdemeanors are crimes punishable by fines and/or jail time, but they are not as serious as felonies. The line between misdemeanors and...