Breakout 1D | From divorce to defense: Family law in criminal contexts

This engaging and practical presentation explores the critical intersection of family law and criminal law in Missouri. Attorneys handling family law cases frequently encounter complex scenarios involving domestic violence allegations, orders of protection, criminal charges, and visitation restrictions. This program equips Missouri attorneys with essential strategies and insights drawn from key statutes and recent case law. Attendees will learn how criminal issues directly impact custody and visitation decisions, gain practical tips for ethically managing parallel family and criminal proceedings, and understand procedural nuances critical to successful advocacy. The session includes a review of landmark Missouri decisions and practical tools attorneys can immediately implement in their practice.

Learning objectives:

Recognizing Criminal Law Implications: Attorneys will understand how criminal allegations and convictions directly influence custody, visitation, and protective orders under Missouri law, and will know how to identify and address these issues early in family cases.
Strategic and Ethical Case Management: Attendees will gain practical strategies for ethically navigating parallel family and criminal proceedings, including coordinating with criminal defense attorneys, protecting clients’ Fifth Amendment rights, and managing conflicting court orders.
Procedural and Evidentiary Best Practices: Participants will learn essential procedural requirements and best practices supported by recent Missouri case law, ensuring compliance and effective advocacy when handling complex cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, or protective orders.

Speaker: Dakota W. Paris, Douglas, Haun & Heidemann PC, Springfield

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.