Kansas, Missouri and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys

Complete Representation Through Jury Trials ● Bench Trials ● Pre-Trial Negotiations

"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

Past Verdicts:  Experience and Hard Work make the difference!

Both Trey and Ryan have extensive trial experience.  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.  Ryan's jury trial experience is in Johnson County, Kansas.  Most of our practice is in and around the Kansas City area, but Trey and Ryan represent clients where ever they are needed.

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, abilities 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.

Because so much is at stake for our clients we always carefully research and discuss every possible defense, legal issue and likely outcome of the case, so our clients can make well-informed decisions about whether we should have a trial or minimize the damage with motions or negotiations.  After all, it's our client's case and it's our client's rights.  If you desire a trial of the case to a jury or a judge, our attorneys are skilled, experienced trial lawyers.  If you wish to have the case resolved quickly and discreetly without trial, our attorneys are zealous advocates and skilled negotiators. 

 What's a year of your life worth...or a decade? A frequent injustice in the criminal justice system is reflected in the sentence imposed on those that are guilty. Despite the constant media attention given to a few cases where 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" that are frequently imposed in both state and federal courts 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.

Even if there is no choice but to work out the best plea possible, and may be especially in this case, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Having a good trial attorney on your side gives your defense credibility even when your case is a case where you may need to work out the best plea bargain you can. An experienced attorney who understands the law, cares about your case and works hard can literally save you years in prison.

Moreover, innocent 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. In the last five years, 'The Innocence Project' reported that 43% of the inmates whose DNA it tested were exonerated.  Kansas City Star, A-8, April 7, 2009. The Innocence Project keeps a running total of their numbers.  See http://www.innocenceproject.org/ for more details.  Consider that DNA evidence isn't collected or even available as evidence in the vast majority of 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.

English jurist William Blackstone once said, it is "better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent person suffer."

In fact, unfortunately false allegations are common. 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. 

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr.

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 Defense

In Federal Court the rules are different, and the sentences are 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, Sales of Drugs, Cultivation of Marijuana, Possession of Child Pornography, Receiving Child Pornography, Mail Fraud, Theft and Embezzlement.

We will fight for you!

In criminal cases and their successful defense, the beginning is a critical time.  When you are a suspect, you need an experienced attorney to get involved quick... to investigate, to prepare a defense, to answer your questions, and in some cases, to minimize the damage to your life. Whether you are guilty or not, you could not be in better hands than if you are represented by the Law Offices of N. Trey Pettlon.  We are not afraid to take your case to trial, and, if you decide to retain us, no one will be better prepared than your attorney.  In addition to protecting your rights, we will keep you apprised about the progress in your case and make every effort to minimize your anxiety about the case and your future.

We have a terrific staff designed for that purpose. Alethea and Terri are at the office 5 days a week. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Trey and Ryan can generally be reached seven days a week.

At the Law Office of N. Trey Pettlon, III , we defend clients charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes throughout Kansas City and where ever our clients need us.  We have the resources and knowledge to help.  If you have been arrested for any crime, contact a criminal defense lawyer. Call the Law Offices of N. Trey Pettlon at (913) 393-2100.

Criminal Defense War Story:

The Story of "John Smith"  (A story that demonstrates the importance of working hard until the trial begins.  Innocent people get charged with crimes.)

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.

"Freeeeeedom!!!!!"   William Wallace, August 1305 

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.

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Criminal defense attorneys serving the Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri area, including cities such as Belton, Blue Springs, Bonner Springs, De Soto, Edwardsville, Gardner, Gladstone, Grandview, Independence, Kansas City, Leawood, Lenexa, Lee's Summit, Liberty, Merriam, Mission, Mission Woods, Olathe, Overland Park, Liberty, Paola, Parkville, Platte City, Raytown, Riverside, Roeland Park, Shawnee, Smithville, Spring Hill, Westwood and all other surrounding municipalities.  We'll go whereever our clients need us!

Johnson County ● Kansas County ● Wyandotte County ● Miami County ● Jackson County ● Clay County ● Platte County