5 JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS CRIMINAL CASE MYTHS

So you think you have the Johnson County, Kansas criminal justice system all figured out. Well think again. Here are the top 5 myths, about criminal charges, debunked:

1. The prosecutor is too busy to deal with your case. You may have heard about, or seen, how many cases the State's attorney is handling and have come to believe he/she is overwhelmed. While that likely is true, the prosecutor is not alone. In their office there are secretaries, legal interns, paralegals, senior attorneys and other prosecutors. They are far from alone. Don't fool yourself into believing they cannot put the time and effort necessary to adequately deal with your case. They can and they will;
2. You're just going to get probation and pay some fines. This comes up most often when is your first charge or one you consider minor. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as "just probation". First, the Johnson County, Kansas prosecutor has discretion about whether, or not, you will have that as an offer. Second, if the offense is punishable by jail time, you just may serve some time. Finally, and possibly most importantly, probation comes with a number of conditions that if violated you may serve jail time;
3. You're a good person and jail is only for the worst of people. In short, good people make mistakes and those mistakes can cost you your freedom. Remember, the only way to avoid jail time is a successful defense;
4. A plea deal is the only way to make the case go away. While plea deals do quickly resolve your case, it may not be the best option for your circumstances. If you have other criminal matters, are on probation/parole, etc. a plea deal may not be an option at all, for you. Further, you need to consider your future employment, living circumstances, school enrollment, etc. (i.e. the long-term impact of a plea) before taking a deal. It is very possible that a trial is necessary to resolve your case; and
5. You don't need an attorney. FALSE! No matter the charge, or how serious you believe it to be, you need an attorney today. You are being charged with a crime, and the state is moving forward using their lawyers. You should have one too.

We hope that reading this article will help you to face your Kansas criminal case armed with information. If you are in need of aggressive defense or answers to your questions, call us NOW 913.602.7288.