Best Kansas City Criminal Defense Lawyers
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Kansas City, finding the right criminal defense lawyer is crucial. The stakes are high and you need an experienced attorney who knows the local courts and can build the strongest possible defense. I’ve researched some of the top-rated criminal lawyers in KC to help you find the perfect fit.
What to Look For
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing a Kansas City criminal defense attorney:
- Experience handling your specific type of criminal case – You want someone who regularly deals with charges like yours and knows how to approach them strategically.
- Courtroom track record – Look for lawyers with a proven history of positive case results, like dismissals, acquittals, and reduced sentences.
- Local knowledge – An attorney who is familiar with local prosecutors and judges can use that to your advantage.
- Resources – The best lawyers have teams of investigators, forensic specialists, and legal staff to build a strong defense.
- Affordable fees – Rates can vary widely, so find someone with fair pricing but also the experience to give you a strong defense.
Top Criminal Defense Firms in Kansas City
Spradlin & Kennedy
Spradlin & Kennedy is widely regarded as one of the top criminal defense firms in Kansas City, with over 60 years of combined experience. Founding partners Tracy Spradlin and Jason Kennedy are both former prosecutors, so they understand how the prosecution builds cases and can work to dismantle them. The firm handles everything from DUI and drug charges to white collar crime and sex offenses. Their team includes former detectives and crime scene investigators who can analyze evidence and find weaknesses.
Joseph Hollander & Craft
Led by veteran trial lawyer Joseph Hollander, this firm provides aggressive defense for all types of crimes. Hollander is a past president of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves on the Board of Governors for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, so he’s influential in the field and current on changing laws. The lawyers here have decades of courtroom experience and won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if it’s in your best interest.
Rogers Sevart & Crump
Rogers Sevart & Crump offers strong legal representation for people charged with misdemeanors and felonies. The firm includes former assistant prosecutors who know their way around the Kansas City courts. They handle a wide array of charges, including DUI, drug crimes, assault, domestic violence, sex crimes, weapons violations, and white collar offenses. Every lawyer devotes themselves fully to criminal defense.
Watt Law Firm
Attorney Greg Watt is a former public defender who now runs a boutique firm focused on criminal defense, including DUI, drug crimes, weapons charges, domestic assault, and more. Watt has spent his career immersed in criminal law on both sides, which gives him an edge in building rock-solid defense strategies. Clients appreciate his straight-talking, honest approach and the personalized attention he devotes to each case.
Phillips & Associates
With a team of nine dedicated criminal defense lawyers, Phillips & Associates has the resources to handle everything from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. Their attorneys appear regularly in courtrooms across the Kansas City metro area, so they’re familiar faces who know how to work the local system. The firm has a strong track record with charges like DUI, drug crimes, assault, domestic violence, sex offenses, gun violations, and probation violations.
Finding the Right Attorney for You
The lawyer-client relationship is critical, so find someone you feel comfortable with and who you can trust to fight for your best interests. Meet with attorneys in person – most offer free consultations – and go with your gut instinct. The right criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference in getting charges reduced or dismissed and preserving your future.
If you’ve been accused of a crime in the Kansas City area, I hope this overview has helped narrow down your search for a defense attorney. Take your time, do your research, and retain someone with the skills and experience to build the strongest case. The stakes are high – having the right lawyer in your corner can save your reputation, your freedom, and your future.