Stay Merry, Stay Legal: Common Holiday Criminal Offenses in Missouri

The holiday season ought to be a time for cheer and happiness. Unfortunately, it can also be a time when certain criminal offenses might become more common in Missouri. This is partly due to increased efforts by Missouri law enforcement. Because of holiday parties, for example, police often have more officers out looking for holiday DUIs. Stress and financial pressure may contribute to increases in certain types of offenses, such as holiday theft crimes.

If you have been charged with an alleged offense during the holidays, you have the same legal rights as at any other time during the year. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can provide you with legal counsel when you need it most. This post discusses some of the most common offenses that police look for during the holiday season.

Common Legal Offenses During the Holidays

“The holidays” typically refers to the period from just before Thanksgiving in November until just after New Year’s Day in January. Many statistics suggest that certain types of criminal offenses are more common during this period. This includes the number of crimes reported to law enforcement and the number of arrests.

The holidays can be a time of great excitement but also significant stress. Either of those can contribute to risky behavior that could result in a criminal charge. Police are often out in greater numbers, which makes it more likely that they will find reasons to arrest people and charge them with offenses during the holidays.

The following list of offenses can help people both protect themselves from becoming crime victims and avoid actions that could lead to arrest.

Driving Under the Influence

Holiday parties often feature alcohol. Partygoers who do not plan ahead could end up behind the wheel after having too much to drink. This puts others at risk of injury and puts drivers at risk of arrest. A Christmas DUI arrest will ruin your holidays, so be careful when attending holiday parties.

Local and state police often increase enforcement in an effort to discourage people from driving under the influence and catch people who do. They may have more officers on the streets looking for signs of impaired driving. They may set up checkpoints to pull drivers over at random to ask if they’ve been drinking and sniff around for the odor of alcohol.

Shoplifting

December is the biggest shopping month of the year. For some people, pressure to buy gifts may lead to retail theft. Other people may simply take advantage of the bigger crowds in stores to try to walk away without paying for something.

Amid the chaos of the holiday season, it is also possible to leave a store while holding something you forgot to pay for. You didn’t intend to steal it. From the store’s point of view, this is still shoplifting, no matter your intent.

Surveillance is increasingly common these days, from store security cameras to smartphone cameras. This helps police and prosecutors go after shoplifting during the holidays. 

Pickpocketing

Crowded spaces are prime targets for pickpockets. People may run scams to distract you while they or someone else grab your wallet or phone. Be careful in public places and while walking to and from your car.

Porch Theft

Packages from Amazon or other online retailers are also very tempting targets. Doorbell phones and home security systems can help identify porch thieves, but they don’t stop everybody.

Burglary

Some people may take advantage of the holiday season to go a step further and break into other people’s property to steal valuables. Missouri defines the offense of burglary as:

• Entering a home, building, or motor vehicle without permission; and
• With the intent to steal property or commit another crime.

The severity of the offense ranges from a class B misdemeanor to a class B felony, depending on factors like

• The use of a weapon;
• The presence of others in the home, building, or vehicle; or
• The threat of injury.

Please note that the offense of burglary does not require “breaking in” in a literal sense. A person can commit burglary by entering through an open or unlocked door.

Identity Theft

Increased reports of theft during the holidays are not limited to the physical world. Identity theft also goes up, largely due to massive amounts of online transactions for holiday shopping. Risks for identity theft include:

• The use of unsecured or public WiFi networks for online shopping;
• Weak passwords; and
• Malware that can infect a computer through email or untrusted websites.

Identity theft is a federal offense. It can result in up to fifteen years in prison.

Domestic Violence

Violent crime rates have generally decreased over the past few decades. Unfortunately, the rate of certain types of violent crime goes up, particularly domestic violence, during the holidays. Factors like stress, financial strains, and increased alcohol consumption may contribute to this trend.

Anyone in a difficult situation with a family member should seek help and, if possible, remove themselves from dangerous environments. People who are feeling stressed should seek support services before anyone needs to get law enforcement involved.

Your Legal Rights During the Holidays

If you have experienced a Christmas or New Year’s Eve arrest, you have the same legal rights as you would at any other time of the year. This includes the right to speak to an attorney and to refuse to answer police officers’ questions.

The only significant difference you might experience is the time it takes for a judge to review your arrest. Courts are closed on holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day. Fewer judges and other court officials may be available during the week between those two holidays. This can cause delays for people in police custody who are trying to get out on bail. Having a criminal defense attorney can help ensure that the system works as fast as possible for you.

Contact a Kansas City Criminal Defense Lawyer to Protect Your Rights

Missouri law enforcement works through every major holiday. They often increase their patrols to look for offenses like drunk driving during the holidays. If you have been subject to a holiday arrest, you need a criminal defense lawyer who can be there promptly to stand up for your rights. Sloan Law Office offers compassionate legal representation year-round to people in the greater Kansas City area who are facing alleged criminal charges. We are ready to help you today. Please fill out our contact form or call 816-777-1340 to schedule a confidential and free consultation with a member of our team.