Drug crime allegations come in many forms in Kansas and throughout the nation, particularly along the Interstate-70 corridor. While most associate drug-related allegations with possession, sale, trafficking, transportation and distribution of illegal drugs like cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine, other accusations can lead to drug charges and penalties. Specifically, that can involve possession of drug paraphernalia. Many drugs require the use of an item like a glass pipe to be ingested. In other instances, drug paraphernalia is related to its manufacture. To make methamphetamine, t ..read more

If you’re facing serious drug charges, then you’re probably worried about how to defend yourself and what your case could mean for your future. This is understandable given the implications that a criminal conviction can have on your life. To protect yourself, you’ll certainly need to be prepared to counter the prosecution’s evidence, but you’ll also want to avoid costly mistakes that could inhibit your ability to build an aggressive defense. Let’s take a closer look at some of those errors that you’ll want to be aware of so that you can avoid them. Lookout for these common mistakes A lot of m ..read more

Although the prosecution may have physical evidence linking you to the crime in question, chances are that much of their case is going to hinge on witness testimony. After all, before most evidence can be submitted to the court, the prosecution must use a witness to sponsor that evidence and testify. While the number of witnesses that the prosecution has lined up against you can be intimidating, you shouldn’t let it slip you into dejectedness. Depending on the facts of your case, there may be effective ways for you to counter this testimony, minimize its impact on your case, or block it altoge ..read more

The law specifies the potential penalties that can be imposed upon criminal conviction. Of course, the extent and severity of those penalties will depend on the criminal offense in question, but much of your criminal defense will focus on how to reduce your exposure to those penalties. That said, the true impact of criminal conviction isn’t readily apparent in a statute or in a plea bargain given that a conviction can have a tremendous ripple effect of collateral consequences that could touch nearly every aspect of your life. The collateral ramifications of criminal conviction Jail, prison, an ..read more

Why would anyone confess to a crime they didn’t commit? This question comes up whenever the topic of false confessions arises. At first glance, it may strike you as crazy for anyone to do this. You may think it never happens. In fact, researchers have found that false confessions happen more often than you might think in criminal defense cases. Many wrongful convictions have their origins in false confessions. What’s behind false confessions? The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides all of us with the right to be free from forced self-incrimination. From this constitutional right ..read more

The state of Kansas has a sophisticated transportation system and because of its location in the center of the nation, it is attractive for people wanting to move illegal substances in and out of the country. The people who are transporting the illegal substances mainly use commercial and private means of transportation to move the illegal substances throughout the state. The drug traffickers also move their product by using airplanes, buses and passenger trains. Is Kansas doing anything to counteract drug trafficking activities? Kansas is well aware of the serious issues that exist with drug ..read more

Nobody wants to get arrested on drug charges. But the difference between getting charged under Missouri or federal law can make a big difference. Missouri punishes drug crimes severely, but federal drug charges are on a whole other level. A conviction in federal court can mean a long prison sentence and huge fines, even for a nonviolent offense. Thus, it is important to know when a drug arrest can potentially land you in federal court. Generally speaking, federal charges depend on the amount of drugs you were allegedly caught with — and where the criminal activity supposedly occurred. Federall ..read more

You may have made some questionable decisions and got yourself involved in the distribution or manufacturing of drugs. You may not have meant to harm anyone by your actions, but if you are facing drug charges your future could be at stake, especially if you are facing federal drug charges with enhanced penalties. General penalties for drug crimes Simple possession of a controlled substance can lead to felony charges if you have a prior drug conviction on your record. The penalty for misdemeanor drug possession is one year in jail. If you are charged with a more serious drug crime under federal ..read more

It is natural to have a lapse in judgement at times. Perhaps you have committed some minor crimes like the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. Pretty soon, though, you are possessing greater amounts of illegal drugs, transporting them in and outside Kansas City or even selling them. After all, you are making money doing so and may not believe you will get caught until you are. Those who are facing federal drug crimes are in a major predicament. They may spend many years in prison if convicted and have to pay exorbitant fines. It can make a person worried, frightened and even embarras ..read more

Drug charges can threaten to derail your future, especially if those charges involve trafficking or intent to distribute. A lot of times in these cases prosecutors are over confident, which drives them to approach accused individuals with plea deals. With evidence stacked against you and prosecutors claiming that if they go to trial they’re going to pursue the harshest penalties, one of these plea deals might be appealing to you. But regardless of how stacked against you the deck may seem, you shouldn’t be so quick to cave to prosecutors’ requests. Strong criminal defense options might be at y ..read more