The Missouri Bar

Law in Your Life #61: Writing Bad Checks

At some point, everyone has written a bad check. Sometimes it is by accident; other times, it is a willful, knowing act that could mean criminal fines. Today, Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out what you need to know about writing bad checks from Audrain County Prosecutor Jason Lamb.

What happens when you write a bad check? When do prosecutors get involved?

What penalties do you face if convicted of knowingly writing bad checks?

Can you be sued in both civil and criminal court for passing bad checks?

You can also listen to the full interview with Jason Lamb on writing bad checks below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 8.07 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

What penalties do you face if convicted of knowingly writing bad checks?

Can you be sued in both civil and criminal court for passing bad checks?

You can also listen to the full interview with Jason Lamb on writing bad checks below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 8.07 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Can you be sued in both civil and criminal court for passing bad checks?

You can also listen to the full interview with Jason Lamb on writing bad checks below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 8.07 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

You can also listen to the full interview with Jason Lamb on writing bad checks below.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 8.07 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 8.07 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Budget Wisely for Holidays in Tough Economy

Many Americans will tighten their belts this holiday season, which others still feel the pressure to buy, buy, buy thanks to catalogs that entice their children with toys galore.

It is easy for consumers to get caught up in Black Friday sales - which don't always offer the best bargains. Some holiday shoppers spend more than they budgeted for with unexpected, last-minute gifts, or pressure from friends or family to buy big.

Want to have a nice Christmas without breaking the bank? Here are some questions to ask yourself while Christmas shopping:

• How badly do I, or my family, need this item?
• Is this a quality item that is a long-term investment?
• Can I pay for this in cash and still pay my bills?
• Can I pay this off this month?
• Can I find this cheaper somewhere else?
• Would I buy this if I waited until tomorrow?
• Am I willing to give up something else to afford this item?
• Can I make this at home for less cost?
• Am I buying this because it is needed, or because I feel pressured to do so?

Be sure to check your debt and winter bill estimates first to determine your holiday gift-giving budget. Don't forget to include holiday meals in your budget. These, too, can get costly.

If you like to shop online, MSNBC offers this Web guide for sites that help you find the best deals.

Law in Your Life #60: Fighting the Government... and Winning

When you get into trouble with the government, chances are, you feel like you are on the losing side of the battle. But you do have rights - and sometimes, you can win. What types of situations could you encounter with the government? And what are your rights when this happens? Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from Jefferson City attorney Niki Sublett.

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Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 11.9 meg)
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Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 11.9 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

LI-HEAP Helps Pay Costly Utility Bills

Lawmakers could try for a special session to discuss helping Missourians pay heating bills in these tough economic times. (Read more at KHQA.com)

If you think you will have trouble paying your bill  - or know you can't - contact your utility provider immediately. Most are likely to work with you to prevent an electricity shut off during the coldest winter months.

In the Show-Me State, individuals who need heating help can receive it through the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, or LI-HEAP. Your local utility company to get details about how to apply. Funds are typically administered through community non-profits, like the North East Community Action Corporation.

Law in Your Life #59: Electing Judges

On Tuesday, voters will not only decide the next president, they will also decide whether certain judges should be elected or retained. In Missouri, some judges are part of the Non-partisan Court Plan; they are appointed to their posts, but voters can decide if they want to retain them. Other judges - like those in Greene County - are elected by the traditional polling method.

The media rarely covers election of judges. So how are Missourians supposed to choose wisely? The Missouri Bar is trying to make the process a little easier for voters with a new Judicial Evaluation Survey. This week, Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out about who is on the November ballot, and how the survey can help Missourians when they vote, from Jefferson City attorney Dale Doerhoff.

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On the Web:

Read more about the Judicial Evaluation Survey

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 10.2 meg)
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On the Web:

Read more about the Judicial Evaluation Survey

Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Higher Ed

Student loan debt rises

As Missouri gubernatorial candidates Republican Kenny Hulshof and Democrat Jay Nixon square off with their visions for higher education, families across the state find themselves wondering how they will pay for college.

Some have urged government officials to buy up bad student loan debt, along with housing loans, to save the U.S. economy. Even if that is an option, it doesn't help students in bad financial straights now - or those in still in school and staring down a mound of debt that could remain for a lifetime.

Students are borrowing more for higher learning - and adding on some whopping credit card debt for books, parties, food and other items. With credit limits being reduced or, in some cases, retracted, and with students finding jobs that make a wage smaller than they need, the credit crunch has put the pinch on these young graduates.

But there is hope for some through the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. What is it and how can it help you or your college grad? Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from attorney Steve Murrell in this podcast on college debt.

Hacker Indicted in Palin Email Scandal

The 20-year old University of Tennessee student who hacked Republican vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin's email was indicted this week by a grand jury. David C. Kernell face a $250,000 fine and up to five years in prison if convicted of unlawfully accessing Palin's personal email and posting its contents on the Web site 4Chan.

Kernell is the son of a prominent Tennesee Democrat. Some had accused the Alaskan governor of using her personal email for government business, a claim never proven. Read more in PC Magazine.

This case raises several online consumer issues:

Whether you use your personal or work email for clients, is what you type and save really confidential? Just how much privacy do you have in the workplace? Attorney Bill Martucci discusses this topic with host Angela Wilson.

Another issue with hijacked email is identity theft. What should you do if you think your ID was taken? How can you prevent it? We have the answers!

What if you share a confidential document subject to copyright and it is illegally posted online? Copyright law is the focus of this Law in Your Life podcast with attorney Annette Heller. 

Law in Your Life #40: Revising Contracts

Sales contracts are part of everyday life. You need one to get a cell phone, buy a house or car, or to make to receive a loan. What happens if you need to revise that contract? Is it difficult? What is the potential impact? Today host Angela Wilson talks to Columbia attorney Todd Werts about what happens when you need to revise an agreement. (Internet Explorer users click twice.)

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 6.9 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 6.9 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Telemedicine: Does it Work?

If you feel ill, or have a medical symptom that just won't go away, you can find out what it is with just the click of a button. Web sites have cropped up where people can pay for a diagnosis, but unlike research sites like WebMD.com, these sites charge by the minute or by the diagnosis. Just how effective are these methods of medical diagnosis? Find out in this GMA consumer alert.

Law in Your Life #36: Bad Credit

Bad credit. No one wants to deal with it, yet it happens sometimes. And sometimes, there are things on your report that are inaccurate. This week, host Angela Wilson talks to attorney Blair Drazic about how you get get bad credit, ways to improve your credit and how to fight false claims on your credit report. (Internet Explorer users click twice.)

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More on the Web:

You can obtain a copy of your credit report from the three main U.S. bureaus:

Equifax
To request a fraud alert call: 800-525-6285
Write to: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com

Experian:
Call: 888-397-3742
Write to: PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com

Transunion
Call: 800-680-7289
Write to: Fraud Victim Assistance Department, PO Box 6790, Fullerton,
CA 92834
www.transunion.com

To obtain a free copy of your credit report visit,
www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 19.1 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

More on the Web:

You can obtain a copy of your credit report from the three main U.S. bureaus:

Equifax
To request a fraud alert call: 800-525-6285
Write to: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com

Experian:
Call: 888-397-3742
Write to: PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com

Transunion
Call: 800-680-7289
Write to: Fraud Victim Assistance Department, PO Box 6790, Fullerton,
CA 92834
www.transunion.com

To obtain a free copy of your credit report visit,
www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228