Our criminal justice system can be overwhelming and frightening. The incarceration rate in the United States is much higher than that of other industrialized countries. Prison sentences are getting longer and more frequent. If you face the possibility of being accused of a crime, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as early in the process as possible, preferably even before questioning or investigation by the police. A skilled attorney can fight for your legal and constitutional rights.

I have been practicing law since 1975. I have been both a prosecuting and a defense attorney which gives me the experience to know what the other side is thinking.  I am aggressive at mounting a defense when that is appropriate.  Because I have a reputation for trying winning cases, I can negotiate for good plea bargains when that is appropriate. Damage control is an important part of my practice.  A client is cruising through life and takes a hit. Then, I am like the damage control officer on a warship, trying to contain the damage this incident could do to the rest of the client’s life. 

Contact my firm today if you or a loved one needs strong legal defense for any of the following:

• Drunk Driving/DUI
• Drug and Narcotics Crimes
• Domestic Violence
• Felony Crimes*
• Misdemeanors
• White Collar Crime
• Sex Crimes
• Traffic Offenses
• Investigations
• Juvenile Law

*If you are charged with a felony please call me before you call a bondsman. I could potentially save you significant money depending on the county you are charged.

If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Kansas City, Missouri criminal defense lawyer, call David Pettyjohn today at 816-659-1128, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange for your free initial consultation.

David Pettyjohn accepts client throughout Northwest and Western Missouri, including Kansas City, Independence, St. Joseph, Richmond, and Harrisonville in the counties of Cass, Platte, Clay, Jackson, Lafayette, Ray and Buchanan. In addition to criminal defense, Mr. Pettyjohn is skilled in reviewing personal bankruptcy and mechanic's liens matters. 

Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm.

Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are more serious than infraction offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.

Serious Violent Crimes and Murder:
By definition, a violent crime is a behavior by persons, against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts or actually inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, hate crimes, homicide, larceny, rape, manslaughter, and murder.

Burglaryand Robbery:
Burglary is defined as the unlawful entering of a building with intent to commit any crime therein. Robbery is also a specific intent crime, requiring both theft and a form of violence or threat of violence used to deprive someone of their property. A common example of a robbery is a convenience store holdup, wherein a robber threatens to shoot a cashier unless the cashier hands over money. Shoplifting can also become robbery if force is used to retain are escape with stolen property.

Sex Crimes:
Sex crimes can include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases.

DUI/Driving Under the Influence:
"DUI" stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

Drugs and Narcotics Charges:
Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced, or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs.

Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine), and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.

Traffic Crimes:
Traffic crimes are specifically addressed in state statutes. The complex body of law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on the streets and highways can be difficult to interpret and apply. Examples of traffic crimes include reckless driving, aggressive driving, drag racing, and driving with a suspended license.

Driving with a Suspended License:
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is considered a crime, and can result in heavy fines and possible jail time. At worst, it may be considered a felony, and the offender could end up in state prison or with an obligation to perform many hours of community service. The penalties are typically heaviest if the license suspension or revocation was the result of a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI).

Driver’s License Revocation:
Typically, a driver’s license will not be revoked for one or even two traffic tickets resulting from a moving violation such as speeding, running a stoplight or stop sign. However, if the offense is extremely reckless and/or if the driver has had previous convictions for moving violations in the past, his or her license may be revoked or suspended. If the driver is charged with drunk driving, reckless driving, or is involved in a hit-and-run, the defendant’s license may be suspended for a year or more.

Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking. Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on your life.

White Collar Crimes:
High-tech professionals, corporate executives and clergy who are criminally charged for offenses such as corporate theft, counterfeiting, embezzlement, forgery, hacking, fraud, tax evasion or bad checks are often referred to as "white collar" offenders and are prosecuted for white collar crimes. In some cases, first-time offenders are convicted and sent to prison, even with no prior criminal history. An arrest and conviction for one of these crimes can have a serious impact on your life.

Fraud:
In criminal law, fraud is the crime or offense of deliberately deceiving another in order to damage them — usually, to obtain property or services from him or her unjustly. Fraud can be accomplished through the aid of forged objects. In the criminal law of common law jurisdictions it may be called "theft by deception," "larceny by trick," "larceny by fraud and deception" or something similar. Fraud can be committed through many methods including mail, wire, phone and the internet.

Juvenile Delinquency:
Delinquency is a legal term for criminal behavior carried out by a juvenile. Delinquent behavior is divided into two categories: status offenses and delinquency offenses. Status offenses are those acts which would not be considered offenses if committed by an adult, such as school truancy, running away from home, alcohol possession or use, or curfew violations. Juvenile Delinquency offenses involve destruction or theft of property, commission of violent crimes against persons, illegal weapon possession, or the possession or sale of illegal drugs.

Appellate and Post Conviction:
In an appeal, an appellate court reviews the record of the pre-trial and trial proceedings for legal errors. The record includes the court file, the court reporter's transcript and the evidence and exhibits introduced in the trial court. In general, an appellate court does not consider information that is not contained in the record.

A post-conviction petition is the general name for what is called a "collateral attack" on a conviction. In federal court, they are called habeas corpus petitions. By using a post-conviction petition, a defendant generally can bring evidence before the reviewing court that was not part of the record on appeal, and in this way raise issues that would otherwise not be reviewed.

If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Kansas City, Missouri criminal defense attorney, call David Pettyjohn today at 816-659-1128, or complete the contact form provided on this site to arrange for your free initial consultation.

Professional Profile
 

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Kansas City, MO Criminal lawyer, call the Law Office of David Edward Pettyjohn today at 816-659-1128, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.

ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
Law Office of David E. Pettyjohn
5600 North Antioch Road
Kansas City, MO 64119
Phone: 816-659-1128
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
Translators available

 Attorney David E. Pettyjohn

• Jurisdictions: Missouri
• Admitted to the Bar: 1975
• Education: University of Columbia, A.B. with distinction - 1972; University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law, JD with distinction - 1975