Hux Law

11/28/2021

08/06/2021

07/21/2021

After 10 wonderful years, it is time for The Hux Law Firm to shut its doors. I am honored to have been chosen to be the new Deputy Court Administrator for Boone County and Callaway County.

A special thank you to all my friends who were clients and my clients who became friends. My little law office accomplished everything I hoped it would!

05/16/2021

Thank you to Lindsey Hux for the great pic! Glad that Hux Law was able to be a hole sponsor for the Super Sam Foundation’s golf tournament!

03/24/2021

Fantastic double rainbow this afternoon stretching from the Courthouse across to Fulton City Hall!

08/30/2020

Thank you for your support!!! I’m deeply honored to be Best Attorney for 4 years in a row! I promise to continue working my hardest for the good folks of Callaway County!
😁😁😁

06/07/2020

The only thing we can control is to make our little corner of the world a better place. I am here, I am listening.

05/29/2020

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF STOPPED BY THE POLICE?

We are all saddened by death of George Floyd. He was the victim of a violent crime and I hope his family gets swift justice. Talking about the events in Minnesota earlier today, a concerned mother asked me, "What should I tell my kids to do when stopped by police?"

There are things you can do when stopped by law enforcement which will minimize your risk of harm. To be clear -- I am not saying that George Floyd or any victim of police brutality did something wrong. This mother's top concern was safety, and there are patterns of behavior which can generally work to end that police encounter as quickly as possible.

As your friendly neighborhood defense attorney, I wanted to jot down a couple things here in the hope that it might benefit your family also.

#1 - Stop.
Yes, the first thing is to actually stop. If you are walking, stop and acknowledge that the officer is talking to you. If you are driving, quickly find a place to pull over to the right shoulder of the road. This sounds basic, but I see bodycam footage all the time where tension escalates because someone does not stop immediately. This is not the time and place to argue that you weren't doing anything wrong, or whether the police officer has grounds to stop you. If law enforcement indicates they want you to stop and talk to them, the best thing you can do in that moment is stop. Don't cause law enforcement to have to force you to stop, things will only get worse for you after that point.

#2 - Make sure your hands can be seen.
If you are walking, be sure your hands are out of your pockets and are in plain view. If you have something in your hand that you want to put back into your pocket or purse, don't do it. Say out loud what you are holding in your hand, and keep your hands out until you can ask the officer if you can put it away. If you are driving, put the vehicle in park, roll down the window, and keep both hands on the steering wheel. If it is night, turn on the vehicle interior lights. If you are a passenger in a vehicle, keep your hands open and up where they can easily be seen as the officer approaches. Do not reach to get your license or insurance card until the officer requests it. And then once asked, tell the officer where the item is (wallet, purse, glove box) before you reach to retrieve it. You greatly reduce the chance of an officer mistakenly thinking you are grabbing a weapon if you make it easy for them to see your hands and understand your movements.

#3 - Stay calm.
There is no scenario where you being angry and hostile with law enforcement helps you in the middle of a police stop. It does not matter how angry or arrogant the officer is. Do not make sudden movements. Never touch an officer. This is not the time to vent your frustrations about law enforcement generally or about that officer specifically. It is understandable you would be nervous or upset, but it is important to remain calm so that the situation does not spiral out of control.

#4 - Follow instructions.
If the officer asks you to step out of a vehicle or to stand over there, do it. Do not refuse any direct order. This is not the time for you to question why, or to tell the officer that you don't have to do something. If the stop is improper, your attorney is who can fight that battle. If you are being arrested illegally, your attorney will get the case thrown out. Even if you know that the officer is wrong, follow their instructions and follow their orders. Remember, we are trying to minimize your risk of you getting hurt, and you being compliant and following instructions is key.

#5 - Stop talking.
You need to identify yourself to the officer. I personally think it is reasonable to explain briefly what you are doing and why you are there. Past that, stop talking. Do not argue. Do not tell the officer they are wrong. Do not tell the officer you know your rights. Show the officer you know your rights by asserting your right to remain silent. Say "I am choosing to remain silent" and then do it. The safest thing for you to do during a police stop is to keep your mouth quiet.

#6 - Do not consent to searches.
If law enforcement asks to search your vehicle or bag, politely and clearly say "I do not consent to searches". You are only being asked for permission because they do not already have the legal authority to search. Your refusal to agree to a search cannot be used against you in court. If law enforcement goes ahead and searches anyway, do not try to physically prevent that search. If your rights were violated, your attorney will take care of that.

#7 - Ask if you can leave.
After you have identified who you are, hopefully you will be told the reason why you were stopped. After this happens, politely ask "May I please leave now?" or "Am I free to go?" This makes it clear that you are not voluntarily hanging around to talk. If law enforcement is going to give you a ticket or arrest you, they need to do so or allow you to leave. If the answer is yes, calmly and quietly be on your way.

Law enforcement is an incredibly difficult job. The vast majority of police and deputies are good folks who are trying to help make their communities better. Most people are not violent criminals, but police act in ways to protect themselves in case someone is. Likewise, we can choose to act in ways which protect ourselves by minimizing our risk of harm at a police stop.

That moment when you are stopped by police is not the time to challenge their authority, to take a stand because of past injustice, or get into an argument because you "know better than them". The safest thing you can do is to show the officer through your words and actions that you are calm and reasonable. Then assert your rights to end that police stop as quickly as possible.

#1 - Stop.
#2 - Make sure your hands can be seen.
#3 - Stay calm.
#4 - Follow instructions.
#5 - Stop talking.
#6 - Do not consent to searches.
#7 - Ask if you can leave.

I hope this helped in some small way. Stay safe out there everyone.

Attorney Derek Hux
Hux Law
573-642-7784

04/19/2020

1 millionth criminal!!! 🤣🤣🤣
(more comics at https://loadingartist.com/)

04/01/2020

🤣🤣🤣

03/21/2020

😆😆😆