Congratulations to Eric L. Boehmer–Top 100 Trial Attorney Award

Boehmer Law would like to congratulate its owner and founder, Attorney Eric L. Boehmer for once again being awarded the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers Award.  The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. This award is presented by The National Trial Lawyers are invitation-only organizations composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase objective and uniformly- applied process which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research. Membership is extended only to a select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state or region who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by objective and uniformly applied standards in compliance with state bar and national Rule 4-7.

Congratulations to Eric L. Boehmer, criminal attorney located in St. Charles, MO for being recognized for his work as a trial lawyer in the area of criminal defense.

If you or someone you love is in need of legal help for criminal charges, please contact Boehmer Law to set a free consultation appointment by calling 636-896-4020.  For more information about Eric and our Missouri Law firm visit www.boehmerlaw.com.

Julia O’Connor Joins the Boehmer Law Family Law and Divorce Legal Team

Boehmer Law is pleased to announce the addition of Julia O’Connor to our Family and Divorce Law Legal Team.

A native of St. Charles, MO, Julia O’Connor graduated from St. Dominic High School. Julia then attended Truman State University, where she earned her BS degree in Justice Systems, with minors in Political Science and Psychology. While attending Truman, Julia was a member of a national Criminal Justice social fraternity. Julia earned her Juris Doctorate at Arizona Summit Law School in Phoenix, Arizona.

While in law school, she was one of the charter members of Delta Theta Phi – Mary Ann Richey Chapter. She was also a member of the Student Bar Association throughout her time in law school and headed up a number of various committees for the organization. Julia also earned a CALI award for excellence during law school.

Coming from a family with a heavy law enforcement background, Julia has always been a strong supporter for Backstoppers – an organization focused on assisting the families of first responders killed in the line of duty. She also volunteers for Youth in Need – Head Start. In May of this year, she was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for Beautyful Waves – a non-profit organization which aims to partner with the community to assist young girls aging out of the foster care system and/or girls who do not have a consistent support system in their lives; and she will be heading up its forthcoming mentorship program.

Julia now resides in St. Charles, Missouri and is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Arizona Bar, and is a licensed Guardian Ad Litem.

Please contact Boehmer Law today if you would like to speak with Julia about any of your Family Law or Divorce needs.  Your consultation visit is free so please call 633-896-4020 to make your appointment or visit www.boehmerlaw.com for more information.

The choice of an attorney is an important one and should not be based solely on advertisements.

Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Attorney

Choosing the right attorney to handle your legal matters is a very important choice.  You will want to speak with an attorney to decide if they have the knowledge and experience to handle your particular legal matter.  Here are some questions you may want to ask before deciding on which attorney you want to hire.

What areas of law do you practice?

Find out if he/she has experience in the type of law you need to handle your case. You want to have the peace of mind that the person handling your case has the knowledge and experience to get the job done.

Have you handled many of this type of case?

Find out if your type of case is more difficult than what they are used to handling, especially with felonies. You want to know that they understand the system and the laws that apply to your type of case. Ask them if they have ever handled a case like yours and what approach did they use on those cases.

How much trial experience do you have?

Find out if he/she is willing to try your case. Do they have a reputation for trying cases? Have they ever tried a case before? You want someone who has confidence and experience inside a court room. Ask how much experience they have with jury selection and direct cross examination.   Be sure to specify between a judge and a jury trial. Not every lawyer tries cases, and even fewer try cases by jury.

What is your trial success rate?

It is rare to find a successful jury trial lawyer, especially with multiple victories in an actual courtroom. If someone is advertising they have many ‘victories’ probe deeper and find out what they define as winning a court case, especially as it applies to doing actual trials in a court room.

How much will my case cost and do you accept payment plans?

You want to make sure you understand all the fees and costs upfront to your case. Discuss all the possible scenarios that could happen pertaining to your legal matters and find out what costs could be involved no matter which way they go. This gives you a more realistic outlook at what could be coming down the road so you can plan accordingly. Also, discuss with your attorney all the ways you may make payments so you understand all your options.

When do I need an attorney?

The only person that can really answer that is you. However, if you are not sure, it is recommend that you call us to discuss your legal matters so we can help you come to a more informed decision. The first consultation visit to Boehmer Law LLC is free, so contact our staff at 636-896-4020 to set up an appointment to see how we can get working for you. For more information about Boehmer Law, you can also check out our website at www.boehmerlaw.com

The choice of an attorney is an important one and should not be based solely on advertising.

Teen Sexting…What it is, Who is Doing it, and Legal Ramifications Part 3

Part three: Teen Sexting…What it is, Who is Doing it, and Legal Ramifications

In part one and two of our article Teen Sexting…What it is, Who is Doing it, and Legal Ramifications we have discussed what ‘sexting’ is, how many individuals it does affect and the personal consequences of these actions. In part three we are going to discuss the legal ramifications of send and receiving ‘sext’ messages and/or images.
As we discussed in part one of our series, ‘Sexting’ is the sending and/or receiving of sexually explicit or sexually suggestive images, messages, or videos via a cellphone, tablet, computer or the internet.

Some examples of sexting include sending and receiving:
• nude or nearly nude photos or “selfies”
• videos that show nudity, sex acts, or simulated sex acts
• messages that propose sex or refer to sex acts
• messages that combine all of the above

When sexting involves naked or sexual photos of children younger than 18, the images are considered child pornography and people, even teenagers, sending and receiving such images can be prosecuted and convicted for serious crimes.

Child Pornography and Legal Ramifications
Possession of child pornography is any naked and/or suggestive images or videos of a child (a person younger than 18) or a portrayal of a child engaged in any sexual conduct, is a serious crime under Missouri Law. A person who distributes and/or supplies these naked or sexual images of a child may also be found guilty of the crime of promoting child pornography. For example, a teenager that has naked images of others under 18 on their cellphones could face charges for possessing child pornography. If they share those images by texting them to their friends or posting them to the internet, they could also be charged with promoting child pornography.

Making child pornography is a crime known as sexual exploitation of a minor under Missouri’s laws. An individual commits this crime by producing or making sexually explicit materials, such as a video or photograph featuring a child. So if a 19 year old teenager convinces his/her 16-year-old significant other to allow them to make a video of their intimate activities they could be convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor. Under Missouri law, it’s also a crime for people to expose themselves to children or to persuade children to expose themselves for sexual purposes. The crime may be committed in person or by other means such as an internet chat room. For example, a person who coaxes a 14-year-old boy to expose his genitals during a video chat could be convicted under this law.

There are two statutes that are very important to keep in mind.

According to Missouri Statute Chapter 573 Pornography and Related Offenses Possession of child pornography, penalty is:
573.037. 1. A person commits the offense of possession of child pornography if such person knowingly or recklessly possesses any child pornography of a minor less than eighteen years old or obscene material portraying what appears to be a minor less than eighteen years old.
2. The offense of possession of child pornography is a class C felony if the person possesses one still image of child pornography or one obscene still image. The offense of possession of child pornography is a class B felony if the person:
(1) Possesses:
(a) More than twenty still images of child pornography; or
(b) More than twenty obscene still images; or
(c) Child pornography comprised of one motion picture, film, videotape, videotape production, or other moving image; or
(d) Obscene material comprised of one motion picture, film, videotape production, or other moving image; or
(2) Has previously pleaded guilty to or has been found guilty of an offense under this section.
3. A person who has committed the offense of possession of child pornography is subject to separate punishments for each item of child pornography or obscene material possessed by the person.

AND

Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 573 Pornography and Related Offenses regarding Furnishing pornographic materials to minors:

573.040. 1. A person commits the crime of furnishing pornographic material to minors if he or she:

(1) Furnishes any material pornographic for minors, knowing that the person to whom it is furnished is a minor or acting in reckless disregard of the likelihood that such person is a minor; or

(2) Produces, presents, directs or participates in any performance pornographic for minors that is furnished to a minor knowing that any person viewing such performance is a minor or acting in reckless disregard of the likelihood that a minor is viewing the performance; or

(3) Furnishes, produces, presents, directs, participates in any performance or otherwise makes available material that is pornographic for minors via computer, electronic transfer, internet or computer network if the person made the matter available to a specific individual known by the defendant to be a minor.

2. It is not an affirmative defense to a prosecution for a violation of this section that the person being furnished the pornographic material is a peace officer masquerading as a minor.

3. Furnishing pornographic material to minors or attempting to furnish pornographic material to minors is a class A misdemeanor unless the person has pleaded guilty to or has been found guilty of an offense committed at a different time pursuant to this chapter, chapter 566 or chapter 568, in which case it is a class D felony.

Below we have also included some very important links to the Missouri Legal Statutes with regards to what child pornography is, who is considered a minor, penalties for production and/or distribution of child pornography and what the penalties and legal ramifications may be if you are charged with any of these crimes.
 Promoting obscenity in the first degree
Promoting child pornography in the first degree
Promoting obscenity in the second degree
Promoting child pornography in the second degree
Possession of child pornography, penalty
Furnishing pornographic materials to minors
Public display of explicit sexual material
Coercing acceptance of obscene material
Telephones, obscene or indecent commercial messages, direct or electronic recording, penalties, exceptions
Promoting sexual performance by a child–penalties
Failure to report child pornography–penalty  

If you or a loved one feels they may need legal help with regards to these messages sent or received, please call 636-896-4020 for one of our Award-Winning Attorneys at Boehmer Law. Your first consultation is free and we will review your case with you and discuss the best course of action. You may also check out our website at www.boehmerlaw.com

Teen Sexting…What it is, Who is Doing it, and Legal Ramifications

Boehmer Law offers a three part series on the serious epidemic of teen sexting including information parents need to know and just how serious these matters can become. Besides the emotional trauma that can occur, there are severe legal ramifications (even for teenagers) that may happen as a result of ‘teen sexting’. If you or a loved one feels they may need legal help with regards to these types of messages sent or received, please call 636-896-4020 for one of our Award-Winning Attorneys at Boehmer Law. You may also check out our website at http://www.boehmerlaw.com

Part 1 Teen Sexting…What it is, Who is Doing it, and Legal Ramifications

“Sexting”: You have heard the term, but you’re not quite sure what it means. Sexting is the sending and/or receiving of sexually explicit or sexually suggestive images, messages, or videos via a cellphone, tablet, computer, social sites or the internet.

Some examples of sexting include sending and receiving:

–nude or nearly nude photos or “selfies”
–videos that show nudity, sex acts, or simulated sex acts
–messages that propose sex or refer to sex acts
–messages that combine all of the above

These days, almost every pre-teen and teenager has access to a variety of ways to text and get online via smartphones, tablets, and laptops. With built in cameras on phones, tablets and computers teens can easily create and share personal photos and videos of themselves without their parents ever knowing about it. Most of the time, this is no big deal. But, if what is shared is too personal or of a sexual nature, your teen’s reputation and feeling of self-worth could be harmed and their physical safety put in danger. Even if the image, video, or text was only meant for one person, once it has been sent or posted, it is out of anyone’s control as to where it is sent or who else may see those images. This information can be posted in chat rooms, websites, or social media aps and once it is out there it could be near impossible to erase from the internet, even after you believe it has been deleted. This has the potential to not only emotionally scar a developing pre-teen or teenager and affect their future employment opportunities but also plague them for the rest of their life. This is a very serious matter, and should not be taken lightly.

According to DoSomething.org, here are some pretty astonishing statistics:

1. Teenage girls have a few reasons for why they participate in sexting: 40 percent do it as a joke, 34 percent do it to feel sexy, and 12 percent feel pressured to do it.

2. Who will see your sext? 17% of sexters share the messages they receive with others, and 55% of those share them with more than one person.

3. While nearly 70% of teen boys and girls who sext do so with their girlfriend or boyfriend, 61% of all sexters who have sent nude images admit that they were pressured to do it at least once.

4. Nearly 40% of all teenagers have posted or sent sexually suggestive messages, but this practice is more common among boys than girls.

5. Sending semi-nude or nude photos is more common among teens girls. 22% of teen girls report sending images of this nature, while only 18% of same-age boys have.

6. 15% of teens who have sent or posted nude/semi-nude images of themselves send these messages to people they have never met, but know from the Internet.

7. Sending or receiving a sexually suggestive text or image under the age of 18 is considered child pornography and can result in criminal charges.

8. 24% of high-school age teens (ages 14 to 17) and 33% of college-age students (ages 18 to 24) have been involved in a form of nude sexting.

9. Sexting is defined by the U.S. court system as “an act of sending sexually explicit materials through mobile phones.” The messages may be text, photo, or video.

10. In the U.S., 8 states have enacted bills to protect minors from sexting, and an additional 13 states have proposed bills to legislation.
11. 11% of teen girls ages 13 to 16 have been involved with sending or receiving sexually explicit messages.

Please watch here for part two of our three part series on “Teen Sexting…What it is, Who is Doing it, and Legal Ramifications”, where we discuss the importance of open and honest communication between parents and young adults. If you or a loved one feels they may need legal help with regards to these messages sent or received, please call 636-896-4020 for one of our Award-Winning Attorneys at Boehmer Law.

You may also check out our website at http://www.boehmerlaw.com

Top 10 Client Satisfaction Award

Boehmer Law, LLC is pleased to announce that they have been award a 10 Best Law Firms for Client Satisfaction Award for 2015.

Boehmer Law is a full service law firm handling Criminal, DUI/DWI, Traffic, Divorce, Family and Personal Injury Law matters in Missouri and Illinois.

“We are humbled and accept this award on behalf of all of our co-workers. Our attorneys and paralegal staff dedicate their time, talents, experience, and knowledge to fighting for the rights of our clients because they are what matters most.”, commented Mr. Boehmer.

If you or a family member has any legal questions or would like to discuss your case, please call Boehmer Law at 636-896-4020 to get us fighting for you. Your first appointment is free.

For more information you may also visit our website at www.boehmerlaw.com