MISDEMEANORS

Every city in the Kansas City metropolitan area has a municipal court. If you briefly consider all of the cities within driving distance of downtown, it’s clear that there are easily more than 50 municipal courts in the area. If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor like shoplifting or marijuana possession, there is a good chance you will have to appear in one of these municipal courts.

HOW MY EXPERIENCE BENEFITS YOUR MISDEMEANOR CASE

Many attorneys do not have experience in all of the local municipal courts. For example, a lawyer in Overland Park will typically focus on representing clients in Kansas and may periodically take on a case in Missouri’s Jackson County. When this is the case, a lawyer in this position won’t be very familiar with every single municipal court in Jackson County, and they certainly won’t be familiar with the Missouri courts outside that particular county.

Meanwhile, I have represented clients in almost every court in the greater Kansas City area. I’ve not only worked with clients in the bigger cities like Overland Park, KCK, Lee’s Summit, Gladstone, and Lenexa, but I’ve also successfully defended clients in four Missouri counties and six Kansas counties.

So, when you’re charged with a misdemeanor and summoned to appear in a municipal court, I will already be familiar with that court. I closely understand the nuances of each community in the KC metro, and this in-depth knowledge will work to your advantage throughout your case.

Common KC Misdemeanor Charges

Much like felonies, misdemeanors are categorized by class. Class A crimes are considered the most serious, while Class B and Class C crimes are typically considered moderate and minor, respectively. Examples of misdemeanor crimes include:

• Class A Misdemeanor: Fraudulent use of a credit card for amounts less than $150, possession of marijuana for personal use, writing bad checks less than $500, shoplifting, and a second offense of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The maximum penalty for most Class A misdemeanors is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

• Class B Misdemeanor: First offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), battery, criminal damage to property less than $1,000, first-degree trespassing, and driving with a suspended license. The maximum penalty for most Class B misdemeanors is six months in jail and a fine up to $500.

• Class C Misdemeanor: First offense of driving with excessive blood alcohol content, patronizing a prostitute, and hit and runs with property damage. The maximum penalty for most Class C misdemeanors is 15 days in jail and a $300 fine.