Kansas, Missouri and Federal Criminal Defense AttorneyComplete Representation Through Jury Trials ● Bench Trials ● Pre-Trial NegotiationsInnocent people are convicted, and innocent people go to prison. It happens. We know for a fact that new DNA evidence has exonerated 100's of people who were serving time for crimes they didn't commit. The Innocence Project keeps a running total of their numbers. See http://www.innocenceproject.org/ for more details. But DNA evidence isn't collected in most cases...so it isn't available to exonerate people in most cases. Many people are charged and convicted on the mere word of a single witness. Felony charges are brought against people in "he said-she said" cases on a daily basis. Many times witnesses are mistaken or even lying. False allegations happen...and it isn't rare. Probably the two areas most ripe for false allegations involve allegations of sex crimes and domestic violence. These allegations can destroy someone's reputation and then have a drastic impact on their liberty and their future. We've seen it over and over first hand. We've been with the accused and his, and in some cases, her family and friends when the bailiff has come to get us at the end of a long, difficult sex crime jury trial to tell us that the jury is back with a verdict. Thankfully, the juries have never came back with a guilty verdict for our clients in these important cases. "If you have ever met a man locked away for things he didn't do, then you know. That is a tragedy. I never want to see that happen to anyone. I certainly don't want that to happen to a client of mine." Trey Pettlon What's a year of your life worth...or a decade? Another frequent injustice is reflected in the sentence imposed on those that are guilty. Despite the constant media attention given to a few cases where the Defendants are seemingly given light sentences for serious crimes, the truth is that for every one of those cases, there are a hundred where the Defendant receives a sentence much harsher than the crime calls for. "Mandatory Minimums" take discretion away from judges, and Defendants oftentimes receive sentences that do not take into consideration all the circumstances, especially in the case of drug offenders. A recurring lesson in the criminal justice system is that even if there is no choice but to work out the best plea possible, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Past Verdicts: Experience and Hard Work make the difference! Trey has represented clients in jury trials in Missouri and Kansas and Federal Court. In Missouri, he has defended clients in jury trials in Jackson County, Clay County, and Johnson County. In Kansas, he has had jury trials in Johnson County, Miami County, Shawnee County, Wilson County, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. Trey hasn't just tried a lot of jury trials, he's won a lot of jury trials. Trey has represented clients in jury trials who were facing life in prison, felony convictions and other serious consequences for crimes they did not commit. Juries have agreed. He has won "not guilty" jury verdicts for clients charged with rape, sodomy charges, aggravated batteries, domestic battery, sexual batteries, attempted murder, felony DUI, and felony thefts. Trey's won numerous trials to juries and judges in cases where clients have not only faced convictions that would cost them their liberty, but also cost them their career and their reputation. Trey has extensive experience representing clients charged with serious sex crimes which carry other severe consequences such as sex offender registration and nonexpungeable convictions. After gaining experience at the Johnson County District Attorneys Office, Ryan has worked closely with Trey to learn the art of trial advocacy and criminal defense. In August of 2007 Ryan won a "Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Defect" verdict for a client charged with Felony Criminal Threat. This was the first time a criminal defense attorney has won a Not Guilty Verdict based on a mental defect in Johnson County in years. Ryan has earned a reputation as a lawyer who is concerned for his clients and passionate about their defense. No one will work harder on your case. No one. Because Trey and Ryan have worked as prosecutors and for the defense, they understand the trial tactics, abilites and limitations that the prosecutor will face in your case. They also know what it will take to get the best result. Trey and Ryan will give you a vigorous defense whether your case is before a jury, a judge, or just at the pre-trial negotiations stage. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr. In the United States, the person accused has rights! Our forefathers were wise enough to guarantee us that, and Americans have since fought and died to protect those rights. Still the Bill of Rights mean nothing without the noble work of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Trey and his associate, Ryan, are firm believers in the rights guaranteed in the United States Constitution. You are presumed innocent. The Government has the burden to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt . These aren't just words if you have an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you are not guilty...or if you have a defense...you couldn't be in better hands. If, on the other hand, the Government can prove the case against you and you simply need help...an experienced attorney to answer your questions, minimize your anxiety and minimize the damage you have done to your life...we can help you with that too. We have handled just about every kind of criminal case, including:
Federal Criminal DefenseIn Federal Court the rules are different and the sentences harsh if you are convicted. You need an experienced Federal Criminal Defense attorney. We have defended people accused of crimes in Federal Court in Kansas and Missouri for crimes such as Conspiracy to sell cocaine/ecstasy/methamphetamines, Cultivation of Marijuana, Possession of Child Pornography, Receiving Child Pornography, Mail Fraud, Theft and Embezzlement. 
"Freeeeeedom!!!!!" William Wallace, August 1305We will fight for you!In this industry, the beginning is a critical time - when you are a suspect, you need an experienced attorney to get involved quick...to answer your questions, to investigate, to prepare a defense, and in some cases, and in some cases, to minimize the damage to your life. Whether you are guilty or not, you could not be in better hands. At our law firm, we fight for you from the beginning of the case. We are not afraid to take a case to trial, and no one will be better prepared than your attorney. In addition to guarding your rights during the process, we communicate with you, and if you wish, your family, letting them know about the progress of the case and minimizing your anxiety about the case and your future. At the Law Office of N. Trey Pettlon, III , we defend clients charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes throughout Kansas City and wherever our clients need us. We have the resources and knowledge to help. A good trial attorney can make all the difference! If you have been arrested for any crime, contact a criminal defense lawyer. Call the Law Offices of N. Trey Pettlon at (866) 646-4864. War Stories:The Story of "John Smith" - The police got a tip that a man named "Jim" was selling meth. They got his phone number and called to set up a drug sale in a recorded phone conversation. When they called for Jim, a man answered and said that Jimmy was not there. The man went on to say his name was "John". He asked what the undercover officer needed. When the officer said he was trying to get some meth, John advised him that he could get him some. They negotiated a sale, and John suggested they meet at a Quick Trip in 30 minutes. He said that he would be driving a U-Haul. After the call, officers hurried over to the Quick Trip and set up surveillance. Within minutes, a U-Haul pulled in, and the undercover officer met the man who identified himself as John and completed the purchase of methamphetamine. Officers did not arrest John, however, because they wanted to make some additional purchases and try to find out who John was getting his meth from. Afterwards however they couldn't get him on the phone again. Officers did catch a break though when they searched a database of known drug offenders. They found the booking photo of the man who sold them meth. He was a man named "John Smith" who was a known meth user who had a previous conviction for selling meth. A felony charge was filed, and a warrant was issued. Almost a year later John Smith was arrested. When I met John, he had been in jail for several months. His sister hired me after he had lost his preliminary hearing and his case was set for a jury trial. I liked John. He had lived a troubled life which he freely admitted, but he was a very friendly person, and he somehow managed to maintain a terrific sense of humor. John insisted he was innocent this time. He said he didn't sell drugs to the officer and that it wasn't him on the phone during the recorded phone conversation. His situation was dire and to make matters worse, because John had a prior conviction for selling meth, if he was convicted this time he would have to serve around seven years in prison without parole. I read the transcript of the preliminary hearing. The officer testified he was certain it was John in the Quick Trip parking lot that day. As much as I liked John, I found it very hard to believe him. Meth addicts are notorious liars. Still I hired a voice expert to tape John's voice on the phone and compare that with the recording of the phone call a year earlier. I received the expert's report less than a week before jury trial. The results were "inconclusive". It was no help. The jury trial was scheduled for Monday. Then on the Friday before jury trial, we got a break. My private investigator found "Jimmy", the man the officers were trying to call in the first place. He was in custody in western Kansas. The jail faxed me a copy of "Jimmy's" file with his booking room photo. Jimmy looked exactly like John...other than the fact that John was a little taller, the resemblance was uncanny. For the coup de grace...Jimmy had been arrested in a stolen U-Haul. John was telling the truth. He was innocent. On Monday morning, with a jury paneled assembled to hear the case, the prosecutor dismissed the charge against John. It would have been easy not to turn over the stones...not to believe John. But as a criminal defense attorney, you have to. You have to investigate...to check out your client's story. People oftentimes ask me how I can defend people who are guilty of crimes. That is easy. Good people make bad decisions all the time...especially if they are using drugs. Most of my clients are good people. They have mismanaged some choices or maybe even mismanaged their life. So you try to minimize the damage and help them get back on the right path. Defending people who are guilty is easy. Defending people who are innocent is very difficult. That is when you lose sleep. Free initial consultation ● Credit Cards Accepted |
111 S. Kansas Avenue
Olathe, KS 66061
Ph: 866-646-4864
Olathe, KS 66061
Ph: 866-646-4864
