Legal Articles

Waiver Defenses

“Waiver” is a common defense raised in many civil lawsuits. It generally, however, has fairly precise requirements. Specifically, it requires an “intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right or privilege, and no one can be bound by waiver unless it was made with full knowledge of the rights intended to be waived.” Fed. Nat’l…

Prima Facie Tort

The “prima facie tort” claim is incredibly vague and confusing. It has four elements: (1) an intentional, lawful act by the defendant; (2) an intent to cause injury to the plaintiff; (3) injury to the plaintiff; and (4) absence of any justification or an insufficient justification for the defendant’s act. Porter v. Crawford & Co.,…

Proving Intent

It is difficult to prove intent, knowledge, and any other condition of mind. The reason is that litigants rarely admit to things. Likewise, direct evidence is often rare. In the context of a plaintiff pleading a lawsuit, “intent…and any other condition of mind may be averred generally.” Clark v. Olson, 726 S.W.2d 718, 719 (Mo….

Leading Questions

A “leading question” is generally one which suggests its own answer. They usually only are permitted on cross-examination. However, whether to allow the use of leading questions otherwise — like on direct examination — is up to the trial judge’s discretion. King v. Copp Trucking, Inc., 853 S.W.2d 304, 309 (Mo. Ct. App. 1993). Even…

Legal Presumptions

Legal presumptions are generally procedural. Michler v. Krey Packing Co., 253 S.W.2d 136, 140 (Mo. 1952). They are usually evidentiary devices used in criminal and civil cases. Tupper v. City of St. Louis, 468 S.W.3d 360, 370 (Mo. 2015). They place the burden upon the party denying their truth to produce evidence. Id.“[T]he facts which…

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