Criminal Lifetime Sex Offender Registration Required for Federal Registrants  The elements of burglary in the first degree include unlawful presence “for the purpose of committing an offense [,]” not the specific intent to take the items eventually stolen. The evidence supported an inference … [Read more...] about Case summaries for Feb. 10 – Feb. 16, 2023

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced he will appoint Carl W. Yates III as Associate Circuit Judge for the 23rd Judicial Circuit. He will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Shannon Dougherty as Circuit Judge.    Mr. Yates, of Hillsboro, … [Read more...] about GOVERNOR PARSON ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CARL W. YATES III AS ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Criminal Corpus Delecti Rule Discussed  The corpus delecti rule is a rule of evidence that bars defendant’s confession absent some corroborating evidence of the offense charged. The corroborating evidence can be circumstantial and slight. But the State offered no corroborating evidence, only … [Read more...] about Case summaries for Feb. 3 – Feb. 9, 2023

DWI Prior Offenses Implicitly Intoxication-Related Statutes enhance the degree of the offense of driving while intoxicated for persistent offender status, meaning at least two previous intoxication-related offenses. Intoxication-related offenses include specified offenses that include the … [Read more...] about Case summaries for Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2023

Criminal No Standing to Challenge Cellphone Search    Statute provides standing to file a motion to suppress for any person aggrieved by an unlawful search or seizure, meaning someone whose legitimate expectation of privacy was unlawfully disturbed, which does not include the search of a cellphone … [Read more...] about Case summaries for Jan. 20 – Jan. 26, 2023

JANUARY 27, 2023 Today, Governor Mike Parson announced three judicial appointments to the 21st, 23rd, and 31st Judicial Circuits. The Honorable Nicole S. Zellweger, of Ladue, was appointed as Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit. Judge Zellweger currently serves as an Associate Circuit … [Read more...] about GOVERNOR PARSON ANNOUNCES THREE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

20 December 2022 ST. LOUIS – The Twenty-First Circuit Judicial Commission announced the panel of three nominees to be submitted to Governor Michael L. Parson to fill the circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis County created by the appointment of Judge Reneé Hardin-Tammons to the Missouri Court of … [Read more...] about 21st circuit commission announces nominees for Hardin-Tammons circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis County

Criminal Wax Is Not Marijuana  Defendant’s description of the contents of defendant’s automobile, and laboratory analysis, supported a finding that the substance was THC. The chain of custody supported entering the THC into evidence. The State charged defendant under the statute outlawing … [Read more...] about Case summaries for Dec. 2 – Dec. 8, 2022

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed Heather J. Hays as Associate Circuit Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit. She will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Craig Higgins as Circuit Judge.  Ms. Hays, of St. Louis, is currently a partner … [Read more...] about GOVERNOR PARSON ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF HEATHER J. HAYS AS ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR 22ND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced a judicial appointment to the 23rd Judicial Circuit. Mr. Travis Partney, of Imperial, was appointed as Circuit Judge for the 23rd Judicial Circuit. Mr. Partney is currently the first assistant prosecuting attorney for the … [Read more...] about GOVERNOR PARSON ANNOUNCES JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT