John M. Eccher’s Answers

This is absolutely NOT a fair amount, based on my reading of the facts and assumption that $22,000 represents their TOTAL offer to you, rather than $22,000 IN ADDITION TO full compensation of your medical bills. Insurance companies ALWAYS offer unfairly-low offers when they know they're dealing with a victim who's not represented by an attorney. Keep in mind, though, when you consult with an attorney - be it at my firm or another - that an attorney should only be entitled to a percentage of...

You have a seemingly good claim, but unfortunately, the responsible driver's insurance company will absolutely offer a lowball offer. They know that you, without a lawyer, have no recourse if you find the offer to be unacceptable. As such, they'll give an offer that is likely to be significantly less than what they would offer if you were represented by a trial attorney. I say "trial attorney," because the only incentive for that insurance company to pay more is avoidance of a trial. Hire a...

For a fifth-offense, potential-C-felony DWI, $15,000 is INCREDIBLY reasonable to hire one of the best. We've charged, and I certainly know that Travis has charged, significantly more than that for in similar cases. Don't have any concerns over the price being reasonable for what you're facing. As for thoughts on Travis, you needn't have any concerns there either. As a lawyer, as a person, there's no one out there I'd more highly recommend or trust. No question at all. Travis is worth...

It is never smart to run from the law, as the repercussions are generally then more severe than if the defendant stayed and "faced the music." In Franklin County, where my law partner and I practice often, the judges will come down on your brother swiftly and strongly if he ran from the law. Instead, he is far better off hiring the best criminal defense lawyer that practices in the area that he can afford. That lawyer or law firm will be able to work to minimize or eliminate the potential...

I and my firm handle an awful lot of DWI cases over in Boone County. What I gather from your question is that you - or someone you know - just picked up a DWI, have one prior, and are trying to decide whether to apply for a public defender or to retain private counsel. First, you may not be eligible for a public defender if you're able to hire you're own attorney. Assuming that you are eligible though, you have to understand how the system works. There are many very good public defenders...

I'm sorry to hear that you've had to go through this situation. As you mentioned, it sounds like you certainly did suffer in a number of ways over and above your medical bills - physical pain, stress, inconvenience, sacrifice, out-of-pocket costs, etc. Fortunately, the company took responsibility for its irresponsibility by offering to pay your dental bill. Clearly, they have indicated an acceptance of liability. However, there's no way for you to FORCE them to compensate you for the many...

You need to help him hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who practices in Farmington. That lawyer will be able to thoroughly investigate the facts both supporting and contradicting the case(s) against your son, advise him on the case, and guide him through the legal process. Do this sooner than later. Good luck to you both. John Eccher WARD & ECCHER | Trial Attorneys (314) 394-2150 www.wardeccher.com

The last time we handled a case just like this here in the St. Louis area - where cops were called for a domestic issue, they wrote a report, charges were filed, and the girlfriend claimed after that her boyfriend never actually struck her - we were able to get the charges dismissed after deposing the officers. The key is that you need to hire an experienced criminal defense law firm that knows how to handle the ins and outs of a case just like this. Even without your cooperation, understand...

According to the law, once you are placed under arrest, any questions asked or statements made by an officer that could reasonably be calculated to lead to an incriminating answer or statement by you is not available in a criminal case for the government to use against you unless your Miranda rights were first read to you. If you made any incriminating statements after the arrest but before you were Mirandized, a competent criminal defense lawyer should be able to have those suppressed. That...

Long story short, he's probably safe from any charge of statutory rape, but not safe from another criminal charge... There are a number of potential charges to be brought against a defendant involving "consensual" sexual conduct with a minor, such as statutory rape, statutory sodomy, sexual misconduct involving a child, enticement of a child, and child molestation. Let me address each... 1. Statutory rape requires that she be under the age of 14 (http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/...