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If you are the subject of a criminal investigation or facing criminal charges, you need a criminal defense lawyer you can trust to thoroughly protect you against serious allegations and execute your defense with tenacity. Every day, Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s top-rated criminal defense attorneys deliver the deep bench of litigation skills needed to mount the most effective defense for clients in the Kansas City metro and beyond. Our Kansas City criminal defense lawyers will make your case in the courtroom, in writing, and in strategic negotiations.

Experienced Kansas City Criminal Defense Lawyers Who Deliver Results

You need a lawyer you can trust to thoroughly investigate the charges and evaluate all defenses. With the earned expertise required to navigate even the most serious criminal defense cases, we are recognized throughout Kansas City and beyond for our ingenuity and undeniable results. Our representation spans all stages of the criminal defense process in federal, state, and municipal criminal proceedings. Whether we are working for an acquittal, dismissal of charges, suppression of evidence, or reversal of a conviction or sentence, our Kansas City criminal defense lawyers have proven—time and again—their ability to deliver results.

Dedicated Counselors and Advisors

Our firm’s Kansas City criminal defense lawyers complement zealous courtroom advocacy with compassionate advice and straightforward communication. When a plea agreement might achieve the best result, we negotiate for optimal terms. In the event of a sentencing, we don’t just go through the motions. We put on evidence, obtain evaluations, and fight for the court to understand the person behind the conviction—often the difference between prison and probation.

With decades of experience in criminal courtrooms across the Kansas City metro area, our Kansas City criminal defense attorneys have defended just about every charge imaginable. We handle:

• Federal Crimes
• State Crimes
• Municipal Crimes
• Drug Crimes
• DUI
• Sex Crimes
• White-Collar Crimes
• Property Crimes
• Violent Crimes

And more. Whether you are charged in Wyandotte County, Kansas; Jackson County, Missouri; or another KC Metro location JHC’s Kansas City criminal defense lawyers have got you covered.

Top-Rated Kansas City Criminal Defense Lawyers

At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, a commitment to excellence drives everything we do. Our criminal defense attorneys have a reputation for providing top-quality representation, as reflected in peer review ratings in the Martindale Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Best Lawyers®, and Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers®.

Committed to Every Client and Every Case

Although our highly rated Kansas City criminal attorneys are regularly involved in high-profile cases, we believe that no case is too small. Our advocates bring the same uncompromising commitment to every client we serve.

If you need assistance with a criminal legal matter, don’t delay. Call one of our Kansas City criminal defense lawyers today.

FAQs About Kansas City Criminal Defense

Should I hire a criminal defense attorney if I plan to plead guilty?

Yes! It is important to have an attorney guide you through the legal process—even if you are inclined to plead guilty to a criminal charge. Upon reviewing your case, an attorney can tell you whether the prosecution can truly prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt; whether you are eligible to obtain a diversion (deferred prosecution) rather than a conviction; or, perhaps, that your constitutional rights were violated such that evidence supporting one or more charges must be suppressed from evidence (excluded from trial).

Even if a plea is the right choice, that does not mean you must plead as charged. A skilled defense attorney may be able to negotiate the dismissal of one or more charges or facilitate a plea to a lesser charge.

In addition, sentencing laws are often complex and confusing. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can help you understand the penalties you will face as a result of a guilty plea and may be able to minimize the severity of your punishment.

Even if you do not want to take your case to trial, JHC’s criminal defense lawyers can help you make the right decision for your case and your situation.

Do I need a criminal defense attorney if I’m not facing time?

No matter the immediate penalty that may result for your charges, a criminal conviction can have lifelong consequences. Having a conviction on your record may impair your career goals by limiting your eligibility to obtain a degree or license in your preferred field. In addition, under most sentencing schemes, a prior conviction will enhance your sentencing exposure in any future prosecution. Even if you do not think a conviction will result in incarceration, it is important to consult with a criminal defense lawyer to discuss your options.

Can my criminal charges be dismissed?

If available evidence does not show that you committed a crime, criminal charges against you can be dismissed. Charges may be dismissed by a prosecutor who, upon reviewing the case, is not convinced your guilt can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Or they may be dismissed by a judge who, upon hearing the prosecution’s basis for charging you, determines there is no probable cause to believe you committed a crime.

Often, pretrial dismissal is a result of careful legal research by a skilled defense team, such as when the prosecution is unaware of legal authority undermining its theory of the case. JHC’s criminal defense attorneys will carefully examine whether your case could be dismissed and advocate on your behalf when dismissal is in order.