Home » Topeka Criminal Defense Lawyers

Being the subject of a criminal investigation or facing criminal charges can be an unnerving and scary situation to be in. That is why you need a criminal defense attorney you can trust—someone who is willing to stand up to the full power of the government to ensure your rights are protected and your voice is heard. Every day, Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Topeka criminal defense lawyers show up ready to fight for you.

Experienced Topeka Criminal Defense Lawyers that Get the Results You Deserve

Throughout the state of Kansas, JHC’s experienced Topeka criminal defense lawyers are known for getting superior results in some of the most challenging criminal cases. Our decades of experience in criminal litigation means we know how to evaluate all viable defenses and develop a case in your favor. Our Topeka criminal defense attorneys provide masterful representation through all phases of the criminal process in municipal court, state court, and federal court. Whether we are fighting for an outright dismissal, trying your case to a jury, or arguing for a just sentence, our Topeka criminal defense lawyers’ combination of experience, intellect, and tenacity achieves exceptional results for our clients.

Accomplished Advocates, Compassionate Counselors

Our Topeka criminal defense lawyers pride ourselves on not only being your advocates, but also being compassionate advisors. From the beginning of your case to the end, we will maintain an open and straightforward line of communication. Not only will we zealously fight for you in the courtroom, but we will be there to listen to your concerns and work with you to achieve your goals. If that requires a trial, we will leave no stone unturned to develop the best trial defense possible. When a plea agreement might achieve the best result, we negotiate optimal terms. We will give you an honest assessment of your case, explain your options in plain terms, and steadfastly work toward your objectives.

No Case Is Too Big or Too Small; Our Topeka Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle Them All

JHC’s Topeka criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience in criminal courtrooms all across Kansas, in both state and federal court. We defend clients charged with:

• federal crimes
• state crimes
• municipal offenses
• misdemeanor and felony drug crimes
• DUI and other alcohol-related offenses
• sex crimes
• violent crimes
• property crimes
• white-collar crimes

And more. Whether you need help in the municipal courts in Topeka, Auburn, Holton, Hoyt, Lyndon, Meriden, Rossville, Silver Lake, or Willard; district courts in Shawnee County, Douglas County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Leavenworth County, Osage County, Wabaunsee County, Lyon County, Geary County, Riley County, or Pottawatomie County; or the Topeka federal courthouse, our criminal defense attorneys have got you covered.

We believe that every client and every case is important. Our team of attorneys and support staff bring the same uncompromising commitment to every client we serve.

Contact Our Experienced Topeka Criminal Defense Lawyers

When you are facing criminal charges, we know you are looking to hire the best criminal defense law firm you can find. JHC’s criminal lawyers aim for excellence in everything we do. As a result, JHC criminal defense attorneys have established a reputation—from both our clients and our colleagues—for providing top-quality criminal defense representation. This acknowledgment is reflected in peer review ratings in the Martindale Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers®, as well as our client reviews.

If you need help with a criminal case in Topeka or the surrounding areas, call JHC’s Topeka criminal defense lawyers today.

FAQs

There’s a warrant for my arrest. What should I do?

Call JHC’s criminal defense attorneys. Warrants are issued for many reasons, and there might not be a reason to panic. Some jurisdictions will issue warrants over unpaid parking or speeding tickets. Having a warrant lifted may take a phone call, or an appearance at a standing docket that some courthouses have for that specific purpose. In some situations, however, you may need to turn yourself into the jail immediately. Because of how many different issues can trigger a warrant, it’s best to just talk with a lawyer for advice in your specific situation.

What is a plea agreement?

A plea agreement is a contract between a criminal defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant agrees to enter a guilty or no contest plea to a certain charge or charges and the prosecution agrees to something in return. It is often called a plea bargain because the defendant gets something in return—sometimes it is a reduced charge, sometimes additional charges are dismissed, sometimes it is a jointly recommended sentence.

A plea agreement is never our first plan of action, but it can be an effective way to mitigate the impact of serious charges when the prosecution has sufficient evidence to make its case at trial. The decision of whether to accept a plea offer is always up to the defendant. Your attorney’s job is to explore available defenses, help you understand the options available, and inform you of the potential consequences for each choice.

Do you handle expungements?  

Yes. Many criminal records in Kansas state and municipal courts can be expunged. You can expunge an arrest, a conviction, or a diversion and all related court records. Upon entry of the expungement order, the court clerk will seal your records from public view and Kansas law treats you as though you were never arrested, convicted, or diverted for the crime (except as specifically ordered by the judge).

After the expungement order is processed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, a standard criminal record check will not reveal the expunged offense. The arrest, conviction, and diversion can still be accessed by law enforcement, and it can still count toward your criminal history score in any future prosecution. But it will not appear on a standard check run by employers, landlords, etc. Rather, the purpose of expungement is to give you a clean slate and remove impediments to employment, housing, etc.

The cops didn’t read me my Miranda rights. Can you get my case dismissed?

Maybe. That depends on what happened and whether your statements are critical to the case. Police are required to read you your Miranda rights if you are in custody and they are interrogating you. If you were in custody and police interrogated you without reading you your rights, a judge may order that your statements cannot be used at trial. If the judge does make that order and the prosecution cannot prove its case without your statements, your case may be dismissed.