What Should I Do If I’m Arrested Or Suspected Of A Crime In Kansas?

Being charged with a crime of any kind or targeted in a Kansas criminal investigation can be an exceedingly stressful situation with possible life-altering consequences.

Regardless of the crime’s severity, it’s advisable to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights, especially before you talk to law enforcement.

There Are Two Sides To Every Story

Even if a conviction is likely to result in minor penalties, or you believe the evidence proves your innocence, working with an experienced lawyer lessens the risks you face by going it alone. Convictions can result in jail time, fines and court fees along with personal, family, employment and educational repercussions for any crime, including:

• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• White collar crime
• Homicide
• Theft
• Robbery
• Sex offenses
• False imprisonment
• Burglary
• Assault
• Battery
• Kidnapping
• Motor vehicle theft

Knowledgeable lawyers understand how prosecutors try these cases. Defense attorneys know how to challenge evidence and assess whether police violated your rights. For instance, the lack of probable cause or an illegal search can result in evidence being thrown out or in dismissed charges.

Choosing The Right Attorney For Your Case

Make sure your lawyer specializes in criminal defense. In addition to understanding the state’s complicated criminal statutes, skilled defense attorneys:

• Defend innocence: You may be innocent but were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You may have been falsely accused due to unreliable or fabricated eyewitness testimony, or you were charged for political reasons, such as a prosecutor’s “get tough on crime” agenda.
• Represent vulnerable individuals: People without economic resources or connections or those with emotional disabilities are often tangled in a prosecutor’s “rush to judgment” to hold someone accountable for a crime.
• Protect due process: The U.S. Constitution protects everyone accused of a crime, providing you with the right not to incriminate yourself, safeguards against illegal searches and the right to consult an attorney.

Even if you falsely confess to a crime under duress, a confession alone does not automatically result in a conviction. Like several other states, Kansas requires prosecutors to offer evidence, in addition to a confession, that proves a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Qualities You Should Expect In A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Contact an attorney immediately after an arrest or if the police request an interview during an investigation. If you are a suspect, a knowledgeable lawyer provides protection through all stages of the process by:

• Scrutinizing all evidence
• Examining police actions
• Developing a vigorous defense
• Fighting for reduced charges, such as changing a felony to a misdemeanor
• Reducing or eliminating time spent behind bars
• Alternative sentencing, such as home arrest
• Getting charges dropped for false accusations or rights violations

The stakes are incredibly high in criminal cases, and an unfavorable outcome can ruin your life as well as the lives of those close to you. If you face criminal charges, it’s crucial to work with an attorney who understands Kansas laws and courts and steadfastly fights to protect your future.