PMCW Law

A criminal record can affect you for the rest of your life. If you are facing charges for some sort of drug-related crime, it is important that you seek an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks immediately. Our Camden County attorneys can walk you through your options and prepare a defense that can meet your specific needs. To get a free consultation with the Lake of the Ozarks criminal defense attorneys at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch call 573-346-7231. Keep reading to learn what the different punishments for different drug-related crimes can be. Source:  https://statelaws.findlaw.com/missouri-law/missouri-drug-laws.html Crime: Possession of Drugs Other Than Marijuana Punishment:  Possession of any other type of drug besides marijuana (regardless of amount) is a class C felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison, $10,000 fine. Crime: Possession of Marijuana Punishment:  Possession of 10 grams or less: Misdemeano...

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between stealing, robbery, and burglary? Many people may think they are the same thing, but that couldn't be more wrong. It's important to know how different they really are because the difference in intensity of the crime affects the severity of the punishments. Our criminal defense lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to let you know the differences between stealing, robbery, and burglary. If you find yourself needing a criminal defense lawyer in Camden County , contact Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch at 573-346-7231 for a free consultation today. Theft, Robbery, and Burglary - What are the Differences? The Crime of Theft In order for a crime to be considered theft, you must: Take the property of another without their consent. Have the intention of permanently keeping the owner from using or having possession of such property. Be acting against the owner's wishes. It isn't theft if you are b...

We are all too familiar with drug crimes at the Lake of the Ozarks area, unfortunately. It's one of the top crime areas here and we have represented people who have been charged with possession, manufacturing and the sale of drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, controlled prescription drugs, and drug paraphernalia. The punishments can vary depending on what drug was involved and what crime you were committing. Our criminal defense attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few examples of the standard punishments for drug crimes in Missouri. If you find yourself in this sort of unfortunate situation and need an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch at 573-346-7231 for your free consultation. Punishments for Heroin Crimes in Missouri Source:  https://statelaws.findlaw.com/missouri-law/missouri-heroin-laws.html Trafficking, selling, or possessing heroin is illegal throughout the United ...

Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense. If you are convicted with a DWI, you could be facing jail time, fines, license suspension and/or driving school. You are also endangering the lives of not only yourself but others on the road by driving while intoxicated. If you are facing a DWI charge, call our DWI lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks at 573-346-7231 for a free consultation. The DWI lawyers at Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch can walk you through what you should and should not do in the event of getting charged with a DWI. Keep reading for the top mistakes people make in a DWI case. The Top Mistakes People Make in a DWI Case Lying to the Police Officer This, unfortunately, happens way more times than it should. If you are pulled over for suspected drinking while driving and are asked a question you don't feel comfortable answering, you do have the right to remain silent. It can be better to not say anything at all versus lying to an officer. Illegall...

According to the CDC , 28 people die every day in the U.S. in motor vehicle accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver. This is so troubling and further proves that you shouldn’t drink and drive. In addition to possibly hurting or killing people, you also could be damaging your driving record or possibly getting a DUI or DWI in the process. If you find yourself getting a DWI or DUI, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch . Our DWI attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks will meet with you for a free consultation. Here are a few things you may not know about driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI). Things You Didn’t Know About DWI/DUI You Can Refuse to Take a Breathalyzer Test Legally, you don’t have to take a breathalyzer test, but we sometimes advise you to take it if asked to. If you don’t, you risk angering the officer involved by being noncompliant and giving the prosecutor something to focus on in the case against you. In some countie...

There are over 65 million Americans living their lives with a criminal record. When you have a criminal record, you face many challenges in life, from finding a career to trying to rent an apartment. You may have done your time, but once your sentence is over, the struggle to live a normal life is real. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to share some significant statistics we have found regarding criminal records in America. Read on to see how these people will probably be impacted in life with a criminal record. If you ever find yourself facing criminal charges, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch immediately. We found this article on the National Institute of Justice website that clearly indicates how a major portion of the United States has a criminal record. Source:  https://www.nij.gov/journals/270/pages/criminal-records.aspx  - Amy Solomon A Substantial Share of the U.S. Population Has Arrest Records A ...

Probable cause laws are established to protect the rights of citizens, as well as the rights of officers involved, when there is reason to believe a crime has been committed. It is the legal standard by which a police officer has the right to make a stop, arrest, conduct a property or personal search, or obtain a warrant for arrest. When there is sufficient reason, based on known facts, that a person has committed a crime or a property is connected with a crime, there may be probable cause. Our experienced law firm at the Lake of the Ozarks would like to highlight some key factors surrounding "probable cause" to help you understand the topic. For more information, please contact the law offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, PC. Warrant A warrant may be required by law enforcement prior to a search, under some circumstances.  This all begins with probable cause.  Probable Cause to Conduct a Traffic Stop When an officer has a "hunch," ...

When we think of a "criminal," most of us have a very specific image that comes to mind. While these images may sometimes be accurate, it is important to recognize that they may also be false. It is not uncommon for the individuals facing criminal charges to be everyday, ordinary people. Who Gets In Trouble For Drunk Driving? The people who get arrested for drunk driving may not be the ones who fit the common mental image of "hardened criminal." T hey can be people who enjoyed a casual evening out with their friends or coworkers, and made poor decision regarding their transportation home.  No matter how innocent their intentions are , driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious criminal offense. Depending on the severity of the damages caused and whether it was the driver's first offense, an individual charged with drunk driving can face serious consequences for his indiscretion. Combating DWI Charges Fortunately there are a number of d...

Due to its many complexities and intricacies, the legal field is surrounded by many myths and misconceptions. Last month, we looked at some of the common misconceptions about personal injury law and the truth behind them. This month, we're continuing the discussion by addressing some of the misconceptions surrounding criminal defense. Unfortunately, defending yourself in the face of criminal charges at the Lake of the Ozarks may not be as simple as you thought. Misconception #1: Police Officers Are Required To Reveal Their Identity If You Ask Them Some individuals believe that if they ask police officers whether or not they're a law enforcement officer, they are required to answer honestly. However, this often isn't the case. Most officers are allowed to withhold the truth if it will help them make an arrest. The argument that you cannot be held accountable because you did not know they were law enforcement typically will serve as a advantageous defense. Miscon...

If you are facing criminal charges, it is imperative that you contact one of our criminal defense attorneys in Camden County MO immediately. Criminal law is complex and involved, and representing yourself can be challenging, overwhelming, and risky. Regardless of whether or not you actually committed the crime in question, being found guilty can negatively impact your life for years to come. Here is a look at some of the consequences that may result from having a criminal record. Difficulty Getting Accepted Into Schools Schools have a moral and ethical responsibility to keep their students, faculty, and staff safe. On the applications for almost every university or college, applicants must list whether or not they have been convicted of a crime in the past. If the answer is yes, the applicants may experience greater difficulty getting accepted into the schools of their choice. These challenges pursuing higher education may, in turn, make it more difficult to find quality...