DUI Lawyer - Junction City and Manhattan Kansas

Weather is getting colder and the holiday's are fast approaching here in Manhattan, Kansas.  With the holidays comes celebration and good cheer and also alcohol.  It's easy to have too many glasses of wine with Thanksgiving dinner or one too many sips of Scotch afterward.  It can only take a couple drinks to reach the .08% blood alcohol level that can lead to a DUI.

Unfortunately, even if you think you're good to drive and haven't had much to drink, you may be asked to take a preliminary breath test if you get pulled over.  Many who don't know if they would pass or not will refuse out of fear and out of hope that the officer will just let them go.  Typically if you've been offered a preliminary breath test and you refuse you will be arrested anyway.  The other side of this is that if you do blow and it shows that you are above a .08% then you WILL be arrested for suspicion of DUI.

If you suspect you or one of your family members have had too much to drink, even if it's just two or three drinks, it's better to air on the side of caution.  A few of the many misconceptions about drinking is that water, coffee, or food will "sober you up" and then you'll be fine.  The truth is none of these activities will reduce your blood alcohol in any way.  Only time and your metabolism can remove alcohol, and alcohol's effects, from your body.  Driving under the influence can result in a range of punishments, not the least of which is losing your driver's license and paying a large fine.

If you or a loved on find yourself in trouble for driving under the influence in Manhattan or Junction City, Kansas it is best to contact an attorney immediately.  The sooner an attorney from the Manhattan or Junction City area can get on the case, the more help they are likely to offer.

Contact a Manhattan, Kansas attorney for a free consultation for your DUI.  Remember - you have 14 days to take action to preserve your driving privileges. 

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Country Stampede

After last night’s downpour, campers at Country Stampede were probably trying to leave the campgrounds and escape to a warm, dry location.  Before you jump in your car, be sure you’re not under the influence.  Even just moving your vehicle while your intoxicated could land you with a DUI. 

In the State of Kansas, to be convicted of Driving Under the Influence citation, or a D.U.I., an individual must have a Blood Alcohol Content level above the legal limit of 0.08. For many people that can be one or two standard size drinks over the span of a couple hours!

At Country Stampede in 2012, Kansas State Highway Patrol Troopers handed out over 27 DUIs  during that weekend. Here are a couple ways to avoid getting a DUI or any other citation in the State of Kansas at Country Stampede or over the July 4 weekend:

1. Designate someone as the sober driver.
2. If you must drive and everyone has been drinking, CALL A CAB
1. Bell Taxi- 785-537-2080
2. Wildcat Taxi- 785-320-7818
3. ABC Union Cab- 785-537-1295
3. Don’t forget to buckle up.
4. Be cautious of all other drivers on the road around you.

Getting a D.U.I. in the State of Kansas is expensive and can dramatically change your life for the worse. If you do happen to get pulled over and cited for a DUI, you should contact a DUI attorney in the Manhattan, Kansas area as soon as possible. Remember, you only have 14 days to preserve your driving rights so don’t hesitate to call for your free consultation.

If you are about to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking and you are of legal age to drink in the State of Kansas, but you are unsure if you are under the legal limit to drive this website can help. (Note: this is just a website and will not calculate your blood alcohol content with 100% accuracy.)

Minor in Possession in Pottawatomie County: Country Stampede

Country Stampede has officially begun! If you’re underage and happen to receive a minor in possession while enjoying the concert, then you need to know your next move. First, what is a minor in possession? A minor in possession, or M.I.P., is any one under the age of 21 who is found to possess, obtain, purchase, or attempt to purchase alcohol. A minor in possession is a Class C misdemeanor.

Much like an M.I.C., a minor in possession in Pottawatomie County or Riley County are punishable with a fine up to $500, community service, and a certificate of completion from an Alcohol Education class. For your first offense, you could also possibly lose current or future driving privileges for 30 days.

While this may not sound like a big deal, DON’T throw that ticket away thinking the citation will disappear. If you fail to appear at your court appearance, three months later you will receive a notification that your driver’s license has been suspended. Needless to say, the sooner you contact a knowledgeable Kansas Attorney to represent you the sooner he or she will be able to guide you through the legal process.

For a free consultation regarding your Minor in Possession in Pottawatomie County, contact a Defense Attorney in the Pottawatomie County area, and speak directly with our helpful staff today.

Expungement in Junction City, KS

As mentioned in other posts about Expungements in Kansas, an expungement is a way to request the State of Kansas to cleans your record as to on particular conviction or numerous convictions that stem from the same case number. 

Before you contact an expungment attorney for your Geary County or Junction City expungement, you should have the following information handy as it will assist your attorney in getting your expungement papers prepared:

1. Your full name AND if it's changed, the name you were arrested under
2. The court or county in which you were arrested
3. Date of birth
4. Whether you've been in trouble since your conviction
5. Your current address
6. Date of the termination of your probation/sentence. 
7. Your court case number OR if you don't know it, the year or approximate year of arrest. 

A court case number for most Geary or Riley County Courts looks like this: 10 CR 229, or 02 CR 003.  Once a knowledgeable Kansas expungment attorney has this information it becomes much easier for them to assist you. 

The cost of filing for an expungment in Riley County District Court is $119.  In Geary County District Court, the cost of filing an expungment is also $119.  These prices are subject to change as each court raises their prices from year to year, so always check with a local attorney that can give you an exact amount.  Attorney's fees can also vary widely depending on the type of case, number of convictions, and number of expungements that need to be filed.

If you're having difficulty obtaining a fire arm or just want to get your record clean, contact an attorney that can help you get your expungement taken care of in a speedy, professional, and discreet manner.

Junction City, KS Criminal Defense

Junction City Criminal Defense Attorneys can easily help you with your criminal charges in either Municipal Court or Geary County District Court.  The rules for each court are significantly different and the aid of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can only improve your chances of getting a favorable disposition of your case.

When you get charged with a felon in Geary County, KS you will be sent to the Geary County District Court.  The first hearing in a felony case is typically first appearance or a status hearing.  The court will ask if you will be obtaining a local attorney or if you need one appointed to you.  At some point, you will be required to either have or waive a preliminary hearing.  Before you waive your preliminary hearing rights, you should absolutely consult with a lawyer who has knowledge of your case to help you decide if you will waive or not.

If you find yourself in felony trouble in Geary County, KS, please contact a lawyer in the Junction City area to help you with your case.

DUI, Junction City Municipal Court

A DUI in Junction City typically will mean a notice to appear in Junction City Municipal Court.   Junction City Municipal Court is NOT the Geary County District Court.  The Municipal Court is at 225 W. Seventh Street, which is south west of the Geary County District Court.

When you appear in Junction City Municipal Court, you will be called in the order that your file appears on the judges desk unless you have a Junction City attorney to represent you.  It's important that you dress appropriately when you appear in any courtroom and the Junction City Municipal Court is no exception.  Furthermore, you will not curry any favor with the judge by being late or by being disrespectful.

When you appear for the first time, the judge will ask you if you are going to hire an attorney, if you would like one to be appointed to you, or if you'd like to be your own attorney and be "pro se."   Before you can have an attorney appointed to you by the Junction City Municipal Court Judge, you must have a case that will result in jail time.  Without a possible jail sentence, you will not qualify for a public defender.  The second requirement before the Judge will appoint a public defender to your case is that you must be found "indigent."  This means you don't have enough money and don't make enough money to hire your own attorney.

If you find yourself in either Junction City Municipal Court or Geary County District Court, contact an knowledgeable attorney in the Junction City area to help you with your situation.

Junction City Municipal Court

Much like the Manhattan, KS Municipal Court, Junction City Municipal Court serves the city and presides over non-felony, misdemeanor and traffic infractions.  The Court is located at 225 W. 7th Street in Junction City.  The presiding Judge is Judge Powers.

The Manhattan, KS lawyer, despite the namesake, practices in Junction City and the Geary County District Court and is available to talk about and give you a free consultation regarding your legal matter.