Criminal defense

If you have been charged with a criminal infraction in either Kansas or Missouri, it is imperative that you consult with a criminal defense attorney immediately about your case. The costs of a felony or even misdemeanor charge carry a myriad of unseen costs, including loss of employment, large fines, and even imprisonment. Additionally, because of the dual-state nature of Kansas City, both Kansas and Missouri state laws apply and can cause conflict. Consider hiring an attorney who is not only comfortable with Kansas and Missouri criminal law but is also a qualified trial attorney.

White collar crimes, violent crimes, probation violations, felony charges, burglary, and sexual assault all fall under the umbrella of criminal defense. Generally, the more egregious the charge, the more likely law enforcement and the courts will seek to detain you and determine bail. If you or a loved one are currently in jail or prison, consulting with an attorney should be your number one priority. For less serious crimes, you will likely be notified through official mail. Despite the lack of severity in certain crimes, you should never assume that you can represent yourself in court. A seasoned criminal defense trial lawyer will be able to plead your case and help avoid costly charges from showing on your record.

If you or a loved one have been charged with a DUI or DWI in Kansas City, please visit my DUI page.

The choice of a criminal defense attorney is a serious matter and should not be determined solely by advertisements or this website. The repercussions of a felony charge can be felt through the rest of your life, even if you are found innocent of charges. Contact me today for a complimentary consultation so that I may begin building your defense immediately.

Appeals

An appeal can be made by a defendant on key legal mistakes which affected the sentencing. The Appellate Court examines both sides and determines if a re-trial is necessary or the sentencing should be thrown out or upheld. The appeals process can take a long time to process an appeal and generally must be pursued soon after criminal sentencing / conviction.

A felony is a serious crime, and usually carries with it severe penalties including heavy fines, jail time, and more. Felony convictions range from non-violent actions like trafficking drugs to violent crimes like assault or murder. Each state varies the degree and class of each felony. Some misdemeanor behavior can result in a felony offense for aggravating circumstances or repeated offenses.

Even being accused of committing a felony can have lasting effects on your life. Thus, it is important that you consult with an attorney immediately to discover the depth and repercussions of what your felony charge means to you, and how best to lessen or even completely avoid the penalties. It is also important to consider the dual-state nature of Kansas City and to choose an attorney familiar not only with the crime for which you’ve been accused, but who also has experience on both sides of the state line. Contact my office immediately to begin forming a solid defense against your Kansas City felony.

Juvenile crime requires a specialized form of criminal defense representation. Special rules and procedures are designated for children and young adults charged with criminal behavior. The psychology of a child and circumstances are taken into consideration for varying criminal charges. Juvenile court takes more time for rehabilitation and penalties for certain crimes are less severe.

Individuals under the age of 18 years old are considered juveniles in the eyes of the law. Juvenile crimes are generally less severe than a crime committed by an adult, but sometimes juveniles are sentenced as adults. It is important that if you or a loved one are being charged with a juvenile crime that you hire an attorney familiar with juvenile law in both Kansas and Missouri.

Most violent crimes involve an aggressive and dangerous action towards others. Murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and assault are all considered violent crimes. The offender typically threatens or uses force upon a victim. Depending on the degree and jurisdiction, some violent crimes may be defined more broadly or narrowly.

If you or a loved one have been charged with, or are suspected of carrying out, assault, murder, or other violent crime it is imperative that you consult with an attorney immediately. These types of crimes carry lengthy sentences, and the courts are very serious about the nature of these crimes. If you are falsely accused, proving your innocence becomes mandatory. Contact me immediately so that we may discuss you or your loved one’s legal options moving forward.

Even being accused of sexual assault or rape can have devastating effects on your personal life and career. If you or a loved one are accused of a sexual crime, you need to stop what you are doing right now and contact an attorney immediately. The courts are not known for leniency in these types of accusations, and the penalties will likely be severe. If you are being charged or accused of sexual assault or rape, contact me immediately so that I can begin to immediately resolve your legal issue.

White collar crimes involving business, executives, salaried professionals and financial moguls. These charges range from financial theft to money laundering, fraud and negligence. Both criminal and civil charges can be pursued for such crimes. It is a common myth that the penalties for white collar crimes are soft, and many are lead to believe that the hiring of an attorney doesn’t apply to them. Don’t let this happen to you. Contact an experienced trial attorney familiar with the intricacies of white collar criminal law.

Most white collar crimes are generally business and professional-related crimes. Some of these types of criminal charges include embezzlement, tax evasion, and other crimes that break ordinance in business law. Being charged with a crime of this nature can severely inhibit your ability to get a job, as well various fines and fees associated therein. If you are being charged or accused of a white-collar crime in Kansas City, contact me immediately.

The IRS is usually only interested in collecting taxes owed, plus interest accrued and possibly a few penalties. However, if the IRS suspects that you have committed tax fraud, they can impose a hefty civil tax fraud penalty. If found guilty, you may receive fines up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison.

The IRS will look for certain factors indicating tax fraud. Such evidence includes inadequate records, failure to file your tax returns, implausible explanations of behavior, concealment of assets, dealing in large amounts of cash, failure to make estimated tax payments, and failure to cooperate with IRS agents and authorities.

Judges and prosecutors do not take embezzlement charges lightly. The idea of an executive or other employer betraying their company’s trust for personal gain doesn’t look good to juries, even if you are innocent. Embezzlement cases are complex ordeals, requiring hours and hours of research and complicated financial questions.

The violation of probation occurs when the terms and conditions of the probation are breached. The consequences of such an offense range on the nature of the probation and the seriousness of the violation. Generally, when any probation agreements are ignored, refused or broken, you can be charged with violating your probation agreement. Failing to appear in court, not meeting with an arranged probate officer or leaving/entering court-ordered areas can all be considered a violation.

If you are accused of a DWI or DUI in Kansas City, you need to contact a Kansas City DUI lawyer as soon as possible. A DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Kansas or a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in Missouri carry serious consequences for the accused, and the sooner you act the more time your DUI lawyer will have to build your case.

Being charged with a DUI or DWI in Kansas City can have severe consequences, including substantial monetary fines, loss of employment, and even loss of driving privileges. Worse, even being accused of a DUI in Kansas City can be stressful and emotional for the accused, making the building of a solid legal defense even more difficult. If you have been arrested recently for a DUI or DWI charge in Kansas City, it is imperative that you act now.

You have rights. The state has the burden of proof, so you are innocent until proven guilty. If your rights were violated in anyway before, during, or after the arrest, you may have Constitutional grounds for a defense. We represent individuals because everyone deserves a sound defense in court.

The choice of a DUI defense attorney is an important decision, and should not be decided solely upon advertising or websites. Drinking and driving is never smart, but going to court without ample legal representation is even less so. Contact a Kansas City DUI lawyer today for a complimentary consultation so that we may begin building your Kansas City DUI defense immediately.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS
DUI (Driving Under the Influence) for commercial drivers follow a stricter set of standards than typical DUI’s. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial motor vehicles, their drivers, all levels of government driving, private companies and organizations. Regulation helps to minimize impaired driving as much as possible. Additionally, the penalties are more severe for convicted commercial drivers.

The unlawful entry into any building or structure with the intent to commit a crime is considered burglary. Usually such places must be closed to the public at the time of the incident and proof of intent must be established. Timing and property damages are also taken into consideration for such charges.

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117 W 20th Street, Suite 201
Kansas City, MO 64108

Mon  9AM – 5PM

Tue  9AM – 5PM

Wed  9AM – 5PM

Thu  9AM – 5PM

Fri  9AM – 5PM
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

R. Brent Hankins
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