Criminal Defense Lawyer Kansas City, Missouri

How Our Kansas City, Missouri Defense Lawyers Help You

From the moment our investigation into your charge begins, there are likely plenty of opportunities to protect your rights, challenge the state’s evidence, reduce the consequences you’re facing, or stop charges from moving forward altogether. Combs Waterkotte intervenes at every stage of your criminal case, building a defense around the facts, the law, and what matters most for your future.

Here’s what we do at every step of your case:

• Pre-charge protection: If you learn that Kansas City police or another law enforcement agency is investigating you, we can step in before charges are filed. We’ll speak with investigators, accompany you during questioning, protect you from making damaging statements, and push prosecutors to decline or reduce charges where we can.
• Bail bond and advocacy: If you’re taken into custody, we can seek release, argue for favorable bail conditions, and request modifications that allow you to keep working, going to school, traveling (where permitted), and caring for your family.
• Warrants and missed court dates: An outstanding warrant doesn’t always have to end with another arrest. We can work to have your warrants recalled and help get your case back onto the court’s calendar.
• Challenges to illegal searches: We scrutinize traffic stops, home searches, vehicle searches, arrests, interrogations, and seizures for constitutional violations. If police obtain evidence unlawfully, we can file motions seeking to keep it out of court.
• Motions to dismiss or reduce charges: Our attorneys analyze probable cause, charging documents, enhancements, and the specific elements prosecutors must prove. When the state has overcharged you or lacks sufficient legal support, we can seek dismissal or reduced counts.
• Aggressive discovery review: We demand the evidence the prosecution intends to use against you and examine it carefully, including reports, recordings, photos, witness statements, test results, and digital evidence.
• Independent investigations: We don’t simply accept the claims of the officers who arrested you. Our team can interview witnesses, obtain surveillance and 911 recordings, review body cam footage, issue subpoenas, work with investigators, and develop evidence supporting an alibi defense.
• Forensic and lab challenges: Drug testing, DNA evidence, toxicology results, fingerprints, and other forensic evidence aren’t automatically reliable. We can scrutinize testing procedures, chain of custody issues, contamination risks, and methodology, or even pursue additional testing or an expert’s review when appropriate.
• Digital evidence analysis: Texts, social media posts, GPS records, phone downloads, videos, and other electronic evidence can play a major role in modern criminal cases. We’ll examine how that evidence was obtained and whether it actually supports the prosecution’s allegations.
• Strategic negotiations: When weaknesses in the state’s case create leverage, we can negotiate for dismissals, reduced charges, amended offenses, and other resolutions when doing so serves your best interests.
• Diversion and alternative resolutions: Depending on the charge and your criminal history, alternatives like diversion programs, treatment, classes, community service, or specialized court programs may help you avoid incarceration or minimize the impact on your criminal record.
• Missouri-specific sentencing options: Where appropriate, we can pursue certain outcomes allowed under Missouri law, like suspended imposition of sentences (SIS) or suspended execution of sentence (SES) to limit the long-term consequences of your case.
• Sentencing mitigation: If your case reaches sentencing, we can present your employment history, education, treatment efforts, restitution plans, character references, and other mitigating information to argue for reduced penalties.
• Collateral consequences planning: We consider how a criminal case could affect your employment, housing options, professional licenses, immigration status, and other parts of your life and plan to mitigate those consequences.
• Probation and parole representation: If you’re accused of violating probation or parole, we can contest those allegations, argue against revoking your probation or parole, seek modified conditions, and pursue alternatives that allow you to remain outside of jail or prison.
• Protective order and forfeiture issues: Criminal cases often overlap with orders of protection or attempts by the state to seize money or property. We can address those related proceedings while protecting your broader defense strategy.
• Trial preparation from day one: We prepare every case with the possibility of a trial in mind. That means we’ll develop motions, review witnesses, plan cross-examinations, prepare exhibits, and build a strategy capable of standing up in court if a negotiated outcome isn’t in your best interest.

Let Combs Waterkotte Be Your First Line of Defense

Kansas City law enforcement and Missouri prosecutors have significant resources at their disposal. But they’re still required to protect your constitutional rights. You have protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, a right against being compelled to incriminate yourself, and a right to legal counsel.

Combs Waterkotte’s job is to make sure those protections are respected and followed at all times. We examine how officers obtained evidence, what happened during questioning, whether investigators followed required procedures, and whether the prosecution can actually prove every element of your charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Depending on the circumstances, that may mean pursuing a dismissal, negotiating a favorable resolution, or preparing to challenge the state’s case in front of a judge and jury. Every case is different, but the objective is always the same: protecting your freedom, your record, and your future.

Felony Defense Lawyers in Kansas City, MO

A felony charge is among the most serious legal problems you can face in Kansas City. Unlike misdemeanors, felony convictions can expose you to years or even decades in prison. A conviction can also create consequences that continue long after your sentence is complete.

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Steps to Take When You’re Charged with a Felony in Missouri

Missouri divides felonies into five classes from Class A (the most serious) through Class E. Felony charges arise in many different types of criminal cases. Depending on the circumstances, Jackson County prosecutors may pursue felony charges for:

• Violent crimes, including murder, manslaughter, robbery, kidnapping, and serious assault
• Sex crimes, including rape, statutory rape, statutory sodomy, child molestation, sexual abuse, and child exploitation offenses
• Drug crimes, including trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, and certain possession offenses
• Weapons offenses, including unlawful firearm possession and armed criminal action
• Domestic violence offenses, particularly higher-degree domestic assault and repeat offenses
• Theft and property crimes, including burglary, robbery, arson, auto theft, and high-value stealing
• DWI offenses, when aggravating circumstances or a defendant’s prior intoxication-related history elevate the case beyond a misdemeanor
• Certain juvenile cases, when the allegations are serious enough that transfer to adult court becomes an issue
• Federal crimes, many of which carry felony-level penalties separate from Missouri state law

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What Rights Do Felons Lose in Missouri?

Missouri felony classifications come with a wide range of potential prison sentences depending on the charge:

• Class A felony — 10 to 30 years or life in prison
• Class B felony — 5 to 15 years in prison
• Class C felony — 3 to 10 years in prison
• Class D felony — Up to 7 years in prison
• Class E felony — Up to 4 years in prison

A felony accusation can change the entire direction of your life, but an accusation is not a conviction. The earlier Combs Waterkotte can begin investigating and building your defense, the more opportunities we may have to challenge the case against you.

DWI Lawyer in Kansas City, MO

A DWI arrest in Kansas City can threaten your driver’s license, your freedom, your finances, and your criminal record. Missouri takes impaired driving seriously, and the consequences can escalate quickly when a case involves prior DWI offenses, drugs, an accident, injuries, or death.

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First-Time DUI in Kansas City: What to Expect

At Combs Waterkotte, we defend clients against both alcohol and drug-related DWI allegations, from first-time misdemeanor cases to serious felony prosecutions. Our Jackson County DWI lawyers protect clients facing charges involving:

• First offense DWIs: Even a first-time DWI can result in jail time, fines, a license suspension, or increased insurance costs. Plus, a conviction can increase the severity of the penalties if you’re charged with DWI again in the future.
• Second offense DWIs: A second DWI can bring substantially greater consequences than a first offense. Prosecutors subject second-time offenders to greater scrutiny, and jail exposure and more serious driver’s license penalties are possible.
• Multiple DWIs: Third, fourth, fifth, and subsequent DWI cases can lead to felony charges, lengthy incarceration, and severe restrictions on your driving privileges.
• Felony DWI: DWI can move from a misdemeanor to a felony due to your driving history or whether you cause an accident resulting in injury or death. Depending on the circumstances, Missouri felony DWI charges can range from Class E to Class A felonies.
• Aggravated DWI: Kansas City prosecutors may charge aggravated DWI for offenders with multiple past DWIs or accidents causing death or serious injuries. An aggravated DWI conviction can mean the loss of your driving privileges and lengthy prison time.
• DWI with drugs: Missouri DWI law applies not only to alcohol, but to controlled substances as well. Drug-related cases can involve prescription medications, marijuana, and other substances that police claim impaired your ability to drive safely.
• Hit-and-run DWI: When prosecutors allege that an impaired driver left the scene of an accident, the defendant may face DWI charges alongside separate charges for failure to remain at the scene.
• DWI accidents: Being in a car accident is unpleasant enough. Crashing into someone while you’re intoxicated can result in license penalties, civil action, and jail time that can affect your life for years.
• DWI resulting in injury: When another person suffers a physical injury in an alleged DWI crash, the offense can be elevated to a felony charge that carries much greater consequences than an ordinary DWI.
• DWI resulting in death: Fatal DWI cases are among the most serious impaired driving prosecutions we handle. DWI manslaughter can bring felony charges that can send you to prison for years.

While DWI cases are complicated, there are still defense opportunities. Police officers must follow specific procedures when investigating and arresting someone for DWI. If an officer lacked a basis to stop you, administered field sobriety testing improperly, mishandled a blood or breath sample, or relied on inaccurate testing equipment, those failures can become important parts of your defense.

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Can You Refuse Sobriety Tests in Kansas City?

Combs Waterkotte looks for alternative explanations for alleged signs of intoxication, including injuries, medical conditions, or the physical effects of the accident itself. In accident cases, we also look for other potential causes of the accident, like another driver, road conditions, or mechanical failures.

Our goal is to identify every viable path toward protecting your freedom and your driving privileges. We’ve won hundreds of DWI cases in the state of Missouri, and if you’re facing a charge of driving while intoxicated, we’re ready to help you, too.

Violent Crimes Lawyer in Kansas City, MO

Violent crime allegations are among the most serious charges prosecuted in Jackson County. A conviction can mean years in prison, substantial fines, and a criminal record that can follow you for the rest of your life.

Missouri violent offenses range from lower-level assault charges to Class A felonies carrying the possibility of life imprisonment. Our Kansas City violent crime lawyer defends clients facing charges involving:

• Murder: Combs Waterkotte represents clients accused of both first-degree murder and second-degree murder. These are serious charges, but we’ve successfully defended clients against murder allegations in the state of Missouri in the past.
• Manslaughter: We defend against both voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter charges. Though not as serious as murder charges, manslaughter offenses are felonies that can result in substantial prison time.
• Assault: Missouri recognizes multiple degrees of assault, and the seriousness of the charge depends on factors like the extent of the alleged injury and whether a weapon was involved. Contact us to handle your first-degree or second-degree assault case.
• Robbery: Robbery involves taking property through force or the threat of force. First-degree and second-degree robbery are felony charges, and allegations involving the use of weapons or physical harm mean more severe consequences.
• Kidnapping: Kidnapping allegations can arise when prosecutors claim someone unlawfully confined another person illegally. These are serious felony cases that can mean lengthy incarceration, particularly when aggravating circumstances are alleged.
• Armed criminal action: Missouri prosecutors may add armed criminal action when they allege that a dangerous or deadly weapon was used in the commission of another felony. The charge can add additional prison time on top of the underlying offense, making it especially important to hire an experienced attorney.

Violent crime cases usually depend heavily on what happened during a chaotic, fast-moving encounter. Defenses typically include self-defense, defense of another person, lack of intent, or an alibi. Our attorneys will work to uncover the entire context of the incident and build you a defense tailored to the specific facts of your case.

Sex Crime Lawyer in Kansas City, MO

Sex crime allegations come with some of the harshest legal, professional, and personal consequences of any Missouri criminal charges. Depending on the offense, a conviction can mean years or decades in prison, sex offender registration requirements, restrictions on where you can live or work, and lasting damage to your reputation and relationships.

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Why You Need a Lawyer Immediately if Accused of a Sex Crime in Kansas City

These cases are highly technical, too, frequently involving disputes over consent, witness credibility, forensic evidence, digital communications, and police investigation procedures. Combs Waterkotte helps Kansas City clients accused of a wide range of sexual offense, including:

• Rape: Rape is a serious felony involving allegations of non-consensual sex. Both first-degree rape and second-degree rape can carry decades or even life imprisonment.
• Statutory rape: Missouri statutory rape charges involve sexual intercourse with a person below the age of consent. Combs Waterkotte handles both first-degree and second-degree statutory rape cases, which can result in serious felony penalties and lifelong sex offender registration consequences.
• Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse involves allegations of sexual contact without consent. These charges, especially in the first degree, can carry felony-level consequences and often depend heavily on testimony concerning what occurred between the people involved.
• Child molestation: First-degree and second-degree child molestation allegations involve prohibited sexual contact with a child. They’re treated seriously and can result in years in prison, especially when aggravating circumstances are involved.
• Child pornography: Possessing, producing, distributing, or partaking in child sexual abuse material can lead to severe felony charges. These cases often revolve around digital evidence from phones, computers, and messaging platforms.
• Human sex trafficking: Sex trafficking allegations involve claims that someone exploited another for commercial sexual activity. Cases involving minors or broader trafficking operations can bring especially severe state or even federal charges.
• Internet sex crimes: Online communications can become central evidence in sex crime investigations involving alleged solicitation, exploitation, or prohibited images. Combs Waterkotte handles federal internet, computer, cyber, and child-exploitation matters when allegations extend into federal jurisdictions.
• Prostitution: We represent clients accused of prostitution-related offenses, including promoting prostitution and patronizing prostitution. These charges become much more serious when prosecutors allege the involvement of minors.
• Sexual exploitation of a minor: These charges can expose a defendant to serious state or federal prosecution, especially when the case involves photos, videos, internet communications, or the production or distribution of prohibited materials.

Sex crime cases require careful investigation. We examine text messages, social media conversations, location data, medical and forensic evidence, witness statements, police interviews, search warrants, and device extractions to see if evidence was obtained in violation of your rights.

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What Happens If You’re Accused of a Sex Crime in Kansas City?

We know sex crime allegations can damage a person’s life before a case ever reaches trial. Our Kansas City criminal defense lawyers will work to protect your freedom, reputation, and future while preparing to challenge the prosecution at every stage of the case.

Drug Charges

Drug charges in Kansas City and Jackson County range from possession-related offenses to serious felony allegations involving manufacturing or large-scale trafficking. Missouri prosecutors usually focus on the type and quantity of the substance involved, along with whether they believe the drugs were intended for personal use, distribution, or production.

Even when police recover a substance, the potential consequences can vary dramatically depending on what prosecutors claim you intended to do with it. At Combs Waterkotte, our Kansas City drug lawyers help defend against a wide range of drug crime allegations, like:

• Drug trafficking: These cases involve large quantities of controlled substances and target alleged manufacturers, growers, importers, distributors, or dealers. First-degree drug trafficking charges involve distributing, delivering, and manufacturing, while second-degree drug trafficking involves possession, control, purchase, or transportation into Missouri.
• Drug manufacturing: Manufacturing charges arise when prosecutors accuse someone of producing or cultivating a substance. That might involve alleged drug processing or packaging or a large-scale growing operation.
• Methamphetamine: Possessing, distributing, trafficking, or manufacturing meth can lead to high-level felony charges in Kansas City.
• Cocaine: Possession or distribution of cocaine can lead to a felony prosecution, with the seriousness of the case depending heavily on the quantity involved.
• Heroin: Heroin cases can involve simple possession distribution, and even trafficking. Large quantities can expose defendants to trafficking charges that carry substantial prison terms.
• Fentanyl: Fentanyl can trigger especially serious trafficking allegations, even at relatively small weights. This means accurate weighing and chemical analysis are especially important and leave room for viable defense options.
• Prescription drugs: Drug charges aren’t limited to street drugs. We also represent clients accused of unlawfully possessing prescription medications or obtaining fraudulent prescriptions.

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What Happens If You’re Caught With Drugs in Kansas City?

To defend against these charges, we examine how police found the drugs, who actually possessed them, how they were weighed and tested, and whether or not officers executed a lawful search. Evidence obtained unconstitutionally may be subject to suppression.

Intent is often a major issue in drug cases. Prosecutors must prove particular prohibited conduct, and lab mistakes, inaccurate weights, contamination, or incorrect assumptions about a defendant’s role in a larger operation can weaken the case. We build your defense around the circumstances of your involvement and seek the best outcome possible.

Domestic Violence Lawyer Kansas City, MO

Kansas City police and prosecutors take domestic violence allegations incredibly seriously. In addition to jail or prison, fines, and a criminal record, a domestic violence allegation can result in orders of protection that can affect your family and day-to-day life significantly. Combs Waterkotte represents Jackson County and Kansas City clients facing serious domestic violence allegations, including:

• First-degree domestic assault: The most serious domestic violence allegation under Missouri law, this offense includes attempting to kill or knowingly injure a family or household member. Depending on the circumstances, you may face a Class A or Class B felony charge.
• Second-degree domestic assault: Second-degree domestic assault involves causing injury with a dangerous weapon, choking a family member, or recklessly causing them physical harm. These felony-level accusations can lead to substantial prison exposure.
• Child abuse, neglect, and endangerment: Missouri child endangerment cases can arise when a child is placed in circumstances creating a risk of injury, neglect, or exposure to drugs or alcohol. These cases can involve Child Protective Services and may result in the loss of custody of your child in addition to time in prison.

Domestic violence cases often come down to competing versions of what happened. Arguments between spouses, partners, relatives, or other household members can escalate quickly, and police may be forced to make an arrest based on limited information gathered at the scene.

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How to Defend Yourself Against False Domestic Violence Accusations in Kansas City

Combs Waterkotte investigates your case thoroughly to see if you acted in self-defense, defense of another person, or if the allegations against you are entirely false. Our goal is to protect both your immediate freedom and the parts of your life that can be disrupted by a domestic violence accusation before your case is ever resolved.

Weapons Crimes Lawyer in Kansas City, MO

Missouri is often viewed as a gun-friendly state, but that doesn’t mean that firearm and weapons charges are minor. Certain possession, use, or handling offenses can lead to serious felony prosecutions, and weapons allegations can also increase the consequences of separate criminal charges.

Combs Waterkotte handles everything from minor possession cases to serious gun trafficking charges. Most commonly, our attorneys defend Kansas City clients facing:

• Unlawful use of weapons: These charges can arise from conduct like recklessly discharging a gun, possessing a weapon while intoxicated, or displaying a firearm in a threatening manner. The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
• Unlawful possession of a firearm: Certain people are prohibited from possessing firearms under Missouri or federal law. Convicted felons and individuals with domestic violence histories may be charged with a felony simply for having a gun on or near them.
• Possession of a defaced firearm: Missouri law also criminalized certain conduct involving firearms with removed or altered identifying information. Having or selling a gun with a defaced serial number can result in a felony prosecution.

Weapons cases depend on much more than whether police physically found a gun. Prosecutors may still need to establish who actually possessed or controlled the weapon, whether the defendant knew it was present, and whether police lawfully discovered and seized the gun in the first place.

Our Kansas City criminal defense lawyers look at the entire case together. We work to prevent a firearm allegation from increasing the consequences of an underlying offense and we prepare to challenge the prosecution at every stage of the case.

Theft and Property Crimes Lawyer in Kansas City, MO

Theft and property-related crimes in Kansas City cover a broad range of conduct, from allegations of unlawfully entering a building to taking property through force. Depending on the specifics, individuals can face misdemeanor or felony charges for these offenses.

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The Ultimate Guide to Theft Crimes in Missouri

At Combs Waterkotte, we represent clients facing theft and property charges throughout Jackson County. Some of the most serious robbery and burglary cases we handle include:

• First-degree burglary: This offense involves knowingly entering a building intending to commit an offense with an aggravating circumstance. That may include being armed with explosives or a deadly weapon or causing or threatening a physical injury. First-degree burglary is a Class B felony.
• Second-degree burglary: Burglary in the second degree involves knowingly entering a place for the purpose of committing a crime. This includes certain motor vehicles and restricted areas of commercial businesses. The offense is a Class D felony, although the classification can change depending on the offense.
• First-degree robbery: First-degree robbery occurs when a defendant causes a serious physical injury, is armed with a deadly weapon, or uses or displays a deadly weapon while forcibly taking property. The offense is a Class A felony.
• Second-degree robbery: Missouri defines second-degree robbery as forcibly stealing property while causing physical injury to another. This offense is a Class B felony, meaning a conviction can result in serious prison exposure even without aggravating circumstances.

Burglary and robbery cases depend heavily on intent, identification, possession, and the specific circumstances surrounding an alleged offense. In a burglary case, prosecutors may need to establish not only unlawful entry, but also that the defendant entered or remained with an unlawful purposes. Robbery cases tend to hinge on whether force was actually used, whether an injury occurred, or whether the evidence reliably identifies the defendant as the perpetrator.

We examine surveillance footage, witness accounts, physical and forensic evidence, police reports, and statements made during the investigation. Our goal is to prevent a theft or property-related accusation from becoming a conviction that follows you for years.

Federal Crimes Lawyer Kansas City, Missouri

Federal charges are often the most serious cases we handle. They typically involve federal investigators, U.S. Attorneys, and mandatory minimum sentences upon conviction. If you’re found guilty, you could spend years or even decades in federal prison. You may also have to pay exorbitant fines.

If you’re facing federal charges, you need a defense team that understands federal law and the complex federal criminal justice system. Our Kansas City criminal lawyers have won federal cases before. We have experience defending clients in federal court, negotiating with federal prosecutors, and challenging evidence put forth by federal agencies. Some examples of federal cases we handle include:

Federal sentencing is very complex. The time you face depends on mandatory minimums, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, any charge enhancements, and your prior criminal history. If you’re facing federal charges, you need a Kansas City defense attorney on your side to navigate the process.

Common Criminal Defense Strategies in Kansas City, Missouri Cases

No matter what you’re charged with, prosecutors have to be able to prove the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. There are several ways a defense attorney can help create doubt and get your charges reduced, dismissed, or help achieve a not-guilty verdict in court. Depending on the charge you’re facing, we may use one or several of the following criminal defense strategies:

• Self-defense: If you reasonably believed you were in immediate danger, your use of force may have been legally justified. Self-defense frequently comes into play in assault, homicide, domestic violence, and other violent crime cases.
• Lack of intent: Many criminal offenses require prosecutors to establish a particular mental state. If your actions were accidental, misunderstood, or otherwise lacked that required criminal intent, the state may be unable to prove the offense as charged.
• Alibi: An alibi defense shows that you were somewhere else when the alleged offense occurred. Witness testimony, surveillance footage, receipts, phone record, GPS info, and other location evidence may help to establish that you could not have committed the crime.
• Defense of others: Missouri law may justify the use of force when you have to act to protect another person from imminent harm. The defense focuses on the circumstances you faced and whether your response was legally justified.
• Entrapment: Entrapment may apply when law enforcement induces you to commit a crime you otherwise would not have committed. This defense can arise in cases involving undercover investigations, including certain drug or prostitution offenses.
• Consent: In some cases, the prosecution’s allegations depend on conduct being unwanted or unauthorized. Evidence that the other person willingly agreed to the conduct may provide a defense, particularly in some assault or sex crime cases.
• Duress: A person may argue duress when they committed an illegal act because they faced an immediate threat of serious injury or death and had no reasonable alternative. Rather than denying that the offense occurred, the defense explains why the defendant should not be held criminally responsible.
• Miranda rights violations: Police must respect your constitutional protections during interrogations. When law enforcement officers obtain statements without properly advising you of your rights, we may challenge whether those statements can be legally used against you.
• Necessity: Sometimes, an unlawful act is committed to prevent a more serious and immediate harm. A necessity defense argues that the circumstances left no reasonable alternative and that the defendant acted to avoid a greater danger.
• Castle Doctrine: When a case involves the use of force against an alleged intruder in the home, Missouri’s Castle Doctrine may be relevant. The defense can allow a person to argue that force (including deadly force, in some circumstances), was justified without a duty to retreat.
• Stand Your Ground: Missouri law may also permit the use of justified force without requiring a person to retreat in certain circumstances outside the home. Whether this defense applies depends heavily on where the incident occurred and the nature of the perceived threat.
• Battered spouse syndrome: In some cases involving a history of domestic abuse, evidence of ongoing violence or threats may help explain why a defendant reasonably believed they were in danger and used force in response.
• Not guilty by reason of insanity: This defense focuses on the defendant’s mental condition at the time of an alleged offense. It may apply when a mental illness prevents the defendant from understanding the wrongfulness of their conduct.

Areas Our Kansas City, Missouri Criminal Defense Lawyer Serve

We serve clients throughout the entire state of Missouri, including: