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Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Kansas City, MO

Our Recommended Top 19

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Kansas City Criminal Defense Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

344Reviewed

214Curated

19Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1001 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (83)
Avvo
5.0 (18)
Facebook
5.0 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2010, Wichman Law Firm LLC is a criminal defense law firm serving the residents of Kansas that has another office in Lenexa, Kansas. The firm takes cases on behalf of people who are being prosecuted for misdemeanors and felonies, such as DUIs, domestic assault, drug possession, and homicide. The National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys named founding attorney Kevin Wichman one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys Under 40 in 2019.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kevin Wichman - PrincipalActive13 yrs
Kevin Wichman - PrincipalActive13 yrs

705b Southeast Melody Lane, Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

KC Driving Defense provides the services of a criminal justice attorney near Kansas City. Attorney James Mucklestone, the founder of the firm, defends clients who are arrested or under investigation for criminal charges involving DUI, drug offenses, speeding tickets, and traffic violations. He works with clients to achieve the goal of a favorable settlement or verdict for criminal charges involving vehicular collisions and related investigations. Jurisdictions serviced include Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Mucklestone - FounderActive8 yrs

701 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64110

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (43)
Avvo
4.8 (23)

Why choose this provider?

The Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center at the Benjamin Law Firm LLC provides a team of experienced criminal lawyers in Kansas City that fights for the rights of clients. Since 2002, the full-service law firm has represented individuals charged with assault, theft, burglary, murder, and weapons offenses. It defends clients accused of a wide variety of drug crimes, including possession, trafficking, and distribution. The law firm also handles cases involving drunk driving and traffic violations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kimberly Benjamin - Founder and Managing AttorneyActive28 yrs

2005 Burlington St, North Kansas City, MO 64116

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (215)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

KC Defense Counsel is a criminal defense firm with criminal justice attorneys near Kansas City serving clients throughout the area. The legal practice represents clients under arrest for misdemeanors and felonies involving DWI, assault, sex crimes, burglary, vandalism, arson, drug charges, solicitation, theft, kidnapping, robbery, manslaughter, and murder. Its attorneys protect clients' rights and assist them through bail hearings, pretrial motions, trials, sentencings, and appeals. Attorney Jordan R. Watson is a member of the National Academy of Criminal Defense.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Richard Simons - PartnerActive14 yrs
Jordan Watson - PartnerActive10 yrs
Justin Hunt - PartnerActive8 yrs

204 W Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Thurmond Law Firm LLC is a general litigation law firm that has been representing the people of Kansas City since 2015. The firm takes cases involving juvenile and adult criminal defense, and it works with clients who are being charged with domestic violence, animal abuse and neglect, and traffic violations. It defends clients in order to maintain their records and prevent jail time. The firm also takes cases involving family law, such as divorce and child custody.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kristen Thurmond - PrincipalActive9 yrs

1100 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64105

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (93)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

David M. Lurie has defended individuals charged with criminal offenses in Kansas City for more than 40 years. Mr. Lurie works on behalf of clients charged with a variety of misdemeanors and felonies, ranging from traffic violations and DUIs to sex crimes and domestic violence. He thoroughly investigates all circumstances surrounding each case and recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution. The attorney has successfully mitigated charges and lessened punishments in addition to achieving positive outcomes in court.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Lurie - PrincipalActive47 yrs

10525 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
4.6 (48)
Yelp
3.5 (3)
Facebook
4.7 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Kiske Law Office offers criminal defense services for clients facing a DWI or a DUI. The firm assists clients by requesting an administrative hearing following the suspension of their driver's license. Kiske Law Office will then obtain information from the prosecutor relating to each specific case to evaluate the defense and work to protect client's rights. Additionally, the firm offers services in family law and estate planning. Practicing since 1994, Attorney Kiske has received numerous Avvo Client Choice Awards.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Anne Kiske - PrincipalActive30 yrs

5555 NW Barry Rd Ste A, Kansas City, MO 64154

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (20)
Google
4.4 (14)

Why choose this provider?

Fink Law Firm KC is a legal firm serving clients throughout Kansas City. Founded in 1998, it takes misdemeanor and felony criminal defense cases involving DWI, driving while suspended or revoked, possession of controlled substances, robbery, forgery, theft, fraud, sexual assault, domestic violence, liquor law violations, juvenile offenses, and probation violations. Other practice areas include personal injury, bankruptcy, and family law. Attorney Chris Fink is a member of the National Trial Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Christopher Fink - PrincipalActive27 yrs

2005 Burlington St, North Kansas City, MO 64116

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (417)
Avvo
4.9 (141)
Yelp
4.5 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Speeding Ticket KC is a criminal defense law firm with criminal lawyers near Kansas City with over eight years' experience serving clients throughout the metro area and the state. It provides defense representation related to all motor vehicle infractions, including speeding tickets, driving while suspended license, traffic accidents, aggressive driving, improper passing, no-insurance violations, U-turn tickets, and fleeing and eluding the police. The firm also helps with traffic ticket amendments, DUI defense, and driving record clean ups and purges.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Richard Simons - PrincipalActive14 yrs

4310 Madison Ave Ste 204, Kansas City, MO 64111

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.9 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Jeff Jarrett Law Office provides the Kansas City community with legal defense. Jeff Jarrett represents individuals charged with a variety of crimes. He handles felonies such as sexual assault, aggravated battery, and drug possession, as well as misdemeanors like vandalism, child neglect, and DUI or DWI. He also helps clients clear their criminal records through expungement. Jarrett has been practicing criminal law for over 30 years. He uses different criminal defense arguments to seek a fair outcome for clients.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

5821 NW 72nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64151

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (70)
Facebook
5.0 (18)
Yelp
4.5 (5)

Why choose this provider?

The Cornerstone Law Firm is a veteran-led general practice that serves clients in Kansas City. It represents individuals who have been arrested or accused of committing felonies and misdemeanors, including DWI/DUI. Its attorneys also provide counsel and representation in employment, personal injury, and consumer law. In addition, they offer license defense for various professionals, including nurses, doctors, accountants, teachers, and chiropractors. Ryan Paulus, the lead attorney, has been handling both individual cases and class actions throughout his career. 

  • DWI/DUI

1919 Buchanan St, Kansas City, MO 64116

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (78)
Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Mark M. Ferguson Attorney at Law is a private multi-practice legal firm that serves individuals and families from Kansas City and the surrounding areas. Its team of attorneys provides legal assistance for different types of criminal law cases, including DUIs, traffic offenses, drug crimes, and violent crimes. Other practice areas of the firm include personal injury and family law. Mark Ferguson has been practicing law for more than three decades. He is a former assistant district attorney.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark Ferguson - PrincipalActive34 yrs

1828 Walnut Street, Floor 3, Kansas City, MO 64108

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (60)
Facebook
5.0 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Christopher Scott Law Office serves clients in Kansas City. It represents individuals charged in criminal cases, such as DUI, sex crimes, traffic violations, property crimes, domestic violence, and crimes against persons. It strives to resort to various legal remedies, including minimizing penalties or dismissing charges to preserve clients' clean records. Principal Christopher Scott has been in the legal practice since 2008. He served at the Shawnee County District Attorney's Office as an assistant district attorney. He is also admitted to practice before the municipal, state, and federal courts in Missouri.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Christopher Scott - PrincipalActive8 yrs

811 Grand Blvd #101 Suite A, Kansas City, MO 64106

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (7)
Google
4.8 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Johnston Law Firm LLC provides criminal defense services to clients in Kansas City and the neighboring areas. It represents individuals to help them fight for their rights to reduce their legal consequences or dismiss their criminal charges. The law firm handles criminal cases involving misdemeanors, internal investigations, state felonies, and federal criminal defense. Founding attorney Justin Johnston brings more than two decades of experience in the legal field. Johnston also provides legal consultation services to companies and individuals.

  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes
  • Federal Crime

1201 NW Briarcliff Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64116

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (16)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Harshman Law, Attorney at Law has been providing criminal defense representation and advice to clients in Kansas City since 2004. It handles cases of felonies and misdemeanors, as well as cases that involve unreasonable searches and seizures. It protects medical cannabis patients with medical marijuana patient rights against criminal prosecution. The firm also offers legal services for personal injury claims concerning motor vehicle accidents and slips and falls. Its attorney, Joani Harshman, has been a solo practitioner for over 15 years. She is licensed in Missouri and Kansas.

  • DWI/DUI
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Crimes

800 East 101 Terrace, Suite 350, Kansas City, MO 64131

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (17)
Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Bearden Law advises clients in Kansas City and the surrounding communities. It serves individuals facing criminal charges. It assists by making formal requests of the prosecutor to see the evidence, negotiating with the prosecutor, and representing the defendant to trial when necessary. Also included in the firm's areas of practice are bankruptcy and family law. Bearden Law has been in practice since 2017. Joe Bearden, one of the attorneys, previously served on the editorial board of the American Bar Association's journal, The Urban Lawyer.

  • DWI/DUI

4717 Grand Ave Ste 300, Kansas City, MO 64112

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (846)
Avvo
3.7 (3)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Your Traffic Ticket Lawyer provides services to individuals in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. It defends clients charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses in the county, city, or municipality courts. It includes traffic violations such as speeding, DUI, illegal parking, expired motor vehicle plates, and littering from a moving vehicle. The founding attorney, Trevor L. Ferguson, is a traffic and criminal defense lawyer. He is a member of NACDA and the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. 

  • DWI/DUI
  • Drug Crimes

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Trevor Ferguson - Founding AttorneyActive8 yrs

1029 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (19)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Sakoulas Law offers advice and representation to clients in the Kansas City metro and the surrounding areas. It assists individuals who have been accused of committing a crime. It litigates different types of criminal defense cases, including assault and battery, disorderly conduct, domestic violence, residential burglary, and shoplifting. The firm also works on drug possession, DUI, public indecency, and trespassing claims. Steve Sakoulas, the founding attorney, brings 45 years of experience in the legal field.

  • Drug Crimes
  • DWI/DUI

1236 Swift St, North Kansas City, MO 64116

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (56)
Facebook
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

J. Matthew Guilfoil is the founder of the Guilfoil Law Group. He represents motorists with DWI and DWI-related charges in Kansas City, including underage drivers, first-time offenders, and defendants seeking to clear their criminal records. Guilfoil has been advocating for the accused for over two decades. He is an IACP/NHTSA-certified instructor for the standardized field sobriety testing course and author of a chapter in the MoBarCLE black book series, a DWI reference manual for attorneys. The attorney is also a Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers member.

  • DWI/DUI

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jonathan Guilfoil - Managing MemberActive24 yrs

Compare our Top Criminal Defense Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Wichman Law Firm LLC
1001 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
KC Driving Defense
705b Southeast Melody Lane, Lee's Summit, MO 64063
Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center at the Benjamin Law Firm, LLC
701 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64110
KC Defense Counsel
2005 Burlington St, North Kansas City, MO 64116
Thurmond Law Firm, LLC
204 W Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
David M. Lurie
1100 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64105
Kiske Law Office, LLC
10525 North Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153
Fink Law Firm KC
5555 NW Barry Rd Ste A, Kansas City, MO 64154
Speeding Ticket KC
2005 Burlington St, North Kansas City, MO 64116
Jeff Jarrett Law Office
4310 Madison Ave Ste 204, Kansas City, MO 64111
Cornerstone Law Firm
5821 NW 72nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64151
Mark M. Ferguson Attorney at Law
1919 Buchanan St, Kansas City, MO 64116
The Christopher Scott Law Office
1828 Walnut Street, Floor 3, Kansas City, MO 64108
Johnston Law Firm LLC
811 Grand Blvd #101 Suite A, Kansas City, MO 64106
Harshman Law Firm LLC
1201 NW Briarcliff Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64116
Bearden Law
800 East 101 Terrace, Suite 350, Kansas City, MO 64131
Your Traffic Ticket Lawyer
4717 Grand Ave Ste 300, Kansas City, MO 64112
Sakoulas Law
1029 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105
J. Matthew Guilfoil
1236 Swift St, North Kansas City, MO 64116

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Kansas City, Missouri?

    816-234-5111 is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Kansas City, Missouri.

  • Why is it important to hire a criminal defense attorney in Kansas City?

    If you have been charged with a crime in Kansas City, it is important to retain the services of an attorney with relevant knowledge and experience in that particular area of the law. Providing an adequate defense to a client takes time, knowledge, research, and investigative work. An experienced attorney can develop a strong defense strategy to represent you in court and fight for the best possible outcome.

  • Who can arrest a person for a criminal offense in Kansas City?

    In Kansas City, law enforcement officers, including police officers, sheriff's deputies, and state highway patrol officers, can arrest a person for a criminal offense. A probation or parole officer can report a probation or parole violation to the court, leading to an arrest warrant being issued. Traffic offenses, including DUI, driving while suspended or revoked, or a felony, can result in an arrest. Failure to sign a traffic ticket can also lead to an arrest, although signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt.

  • What should you do if you are arrested in Kansas City?

    If you are arrested in Kansas City, do not make any statements to the police and let your criminal defense attorney handle the talking. Bail out of jail as soon as possible to have more time to meet with your attorney and prepare for plea negotiations. Contacting your criminal defense lawyer immediately is crucial for building a strong defense and having more options available. The sooner the process starts, the fresher the evidence will be, giving you and your attorney more options.

  • What should a criminal defendant consider when deciding whether to accept a plea offer in Kansas City?

    A criminal defendant in Kansas City should consider their chances of getting charges dismissed, excluding key evidence, or winning at trial. They should also consider the collateral consequences associated with various convictions, such as registration, eligibility for certain programs in incarceration, eligibility for expungement, and other issues specific to the facts of the case and the individual's circumstances.

  • What is the criminal defense process like in Kansas City?

    The criminal defense process in Kansas City typically involves representation during an investigation, court proceedings before trial, plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing. If necessary, a criminal defense attorney can represent you in an appeal. During the criminal defense process, an attorney may also investigate the case, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a defense strategy tailored to your specific case and circumstances.