Criminal Defense

Kansas Criminal Defense Lawyer

DUI/DWI Defense

Drunk driving is a serious offense in Kansas. In addition to suspension of your driver's license, you face a lifelong criminal record and thousands of dollars in added insurance costs, court costs, and penalties. Multiple DUI/DWI convictions or a drunk-driving accident can lead to felony charges and a long prison sentence. Driving is a privilege in Kansas and you need an experienced attorney to protect that valued privilege. Do not let a drunk-driving charge derail your employment or family life.

Traffic Tickets

Keeping traffic tickets for moving violations off your record is important to the vast majority of drivers. Your driving record can affect your employment, your insurance rates, and even your driving privileges.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Drivers are frequently charged with involuntary manslaughter following a DUI accident in which a passenger of the drunk driver or a person in another vehicle has been killed. For the families involved, these are tragic and highly emotional cases. If you are the one charged, you could face a lengthy prison sentence. Hiring an attorney as early as possible—before you make statements either to law enforcement officers or the victim's family—will help you understand the consequences of an involuntary manslaughter or vehicular homicide charge.

Domestic Violence

Kansas has a mandatory arrest policy for domestic violence cases. If police are called to a domestic disturbance, somebody is likely going to jail. However, that does not mean a crime has been committed.

Drug Charges

There is no such thing as a minor drug conviction. Even if you don't have to go to jail, any drug conviction will result in a permanent criminal record that will follow you around for the rest of your life. That record could prevent you from obtaining student loans. It could also make it much harder to find a good job, because employers routinely conduct background checks of prospective employees.

Weapon Charges

If you face a felony weapons charge, you could end up spending the next five years in a federal penitentiary. Whenever you are charged with a crime that would result in significant jail time, an attorney's advice will help you understand the consequences. Do not try to talk your way out of it, or you could end up giving prosecutors the evidence they need to convict you.

Sex Crimes

In all sex crime cases, it is important not try to talk to prosecutors before you have been informed of the evidence against you. A lawyer can evaluate the evidence and work to ensure that your rights are protected. By talking to police, you could actually eliminate certain defenses that a lawyer might advise.

White-Collar Crimes

A conviction for a white-collar crime can ruin your career. Even if you don't have to go to jail, the conviction will result in a permanent criminal record that could prevent you from getting a good job for the rest of your life. Employers routinely conduct background checks of prospective employees and few would want to hire an employee with a conviction for a white-collar crime.

Federal Crimes

When you are charged with a federal crime, you face the possibility of significant prison time. Your freedom is at stake, and you need the advice of an attorney who understands federal sentencing guidelines as well as how prosecutors try federal cases.

Your defense is too important to be left to an inexperienced lawyer. Contact me, criminal trial attorney Jackie Rokusek, for a free consultation if you face criminal charges in the Kansas City area.