I-70 Drug Charges, Riley and Geary County

Since the legalization of Marijuana by neighboring state, Colorado, the number of felony drug traffic and drug distribution charges in Riley County and Geary County have increased significantly as patrols on I70 K-9 units of Geary County Sheriff's Department have increased.  Felony drug trafficking charges range in severity depending the amount of drugs in question.

In Kansas, a Possession with Intent to Distribute charge falls into one of four drug felony categories.  Level 1 drug felonies are the most severe in terms of penalty. Level 5 is least severe.  Typically if there is a charge for possession with intent to distribute the lowest level charged will be a level 4 drug felony. 

The amount of illegal drugs will dictate how high up the felony will be charged.  If a person has more than 1 Kilogram of Cocaine, more than 100 Grams of Meth or Heroin, or more than 30 Kilograms of Marijuana you can expect to be facing a severity level 1 drug felony - the most severe drug felony.  A person with no record whatsoever, if facing a level 1 felony, could expect to see a prison sentence between 138 months and 204 months depending on their criminal history.


If you or someone you know is facing any felony drug charge contact a Criminal Defense Attorney in Manhattan, Kansas to begin work to protect your rights and defend you from these allegations.  The sooner you secure representation the better we can defend your rights and protect your interests.

Personal Injury in Manhattan, Kansas

Personal injury is a term of art used to refer to the tort of negligence which causes bodily injury to some individual. Negligence can come in many forms including negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in a wreck or some other type of damage.   When you are in an automobile accident and you are hurt it's a personal injury claim.  Generally the person who caused the accident due to their negligence should be on the hook to "make whole" the person they harmed.  This means compensating the injured party for their medical bills, lost work, lost property, and any other types of loss arising from the car accident.

When insurance companies are involved their goal is not to make a person whole but to limit the cost in terms of payout they must make to the injured party.  Their sole purpose is to pay as little as possible.

It's a competent personal injury attorney's job to maximize recover by holding the insurance company to their duty.  When a personal injury attorney insurance take notice and low-ball offers usually cease.    Contact from the opposing insurance company will also stop.

Injured in Manhattan, Kansas, Geary County, or Pottawatomie County?  Injured anywhere in North Central Kansas? Call and a personal injury  attorney in the area to provide aggressive prosecution of the person who hurt you.

Felony Drug Trafficking Charges in Geary County, Kansas

Since the legalization of Marijuana in Colorado there has been a significant increase in the amount of Marijuana that is being trafficked through Kansas.  Interstate 70 (I-70) is a ready means of access out of Denver, Colorado to most locations to the East.  This means that along the I-70 corridor law enforcement is on the lookout for out of state tags heading east.  This is especially true in Geary County, Kansas.   Junction City serves as the county seat for Geary County and the Geary County District Court.   So often a minor traffic infraction along this stretch of Kansas highway has resulted in the subsequent search and seizure of drugs and/or drug proceeds. 

Getting caught trafficking drugs through Kansas will almost always result in being charged with a drug felony.  The severity of the felony could range from low, like a level five felony for simple possession, to high, like a level one felony for possessing more than 30 kilograms.   These felony drug charges can carry a sever penalty as high as 204 months in prison if you have an extensive criminal history.  Often these charges also come with a forfeiture action wherein the State will try to seize any property that you have, including vehicles that may have been used during the transport of the illegal drugs.  This is a major hassle that compounds the problem of your Geary County felony criminal charges. 

When being charged with a serious drug felony,  it is recommended you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in the area who is familiar with the jurisdiction.  

Eligible for an Expungement in Kansas?

Do you have a past criminal history? Are you wanting to start fresh by removing criminal charges and convictions from your criminal background? An expungement can remove some charges and convictions but not all of them are equal and it is helpful to know what can be expunged, how long you have to wait to expunge them, and what it costs to get them expunged.

If you have completed your sentence or have been discharged from probation, community corrections, parole, or post release supervision, you may be eligible for an expungement.  The severity level of the crime determines the waiting period and can be summarized as follows:

After three years these convictions could be wiped off your record: traffic infractions, cigarette or tobacco infraction, misdemeanor or a class D or E felony. (prior to 1993).

After July 1, 1993 nondrug crimes, severity level 6-10, and felony crimes with a severity level 4 may also be expunged.

After five years some of the following convictions could be removed from your record: felonies class A, B, or C (prior to 1993); or crimes after July 1, 1993 such as, a non drug crime, severity level 1-5 or any felonies with a severity level 1-3 on the drug grid. Other crimes that are allowed to be expunged include vehicular homicide, driving with a invalid license, perjury, using false information, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, and driving without insurance.

But this does not come with out a price, an expungement for one case at the Riley County Court House has a filing fee of $119.00 and at the Manhattan Municipal court it is $60.00. Filing for an expungement of your records does not guarantee that you will receive the expungement.

This is not a complete list, knowing what can and can’t be expunged and the process to receive one can be confusing, especially if there are multiple cases. In order to ensure your speedy expungement, contact a Kansas expungement attorney for a free phone consultation today.

This is not legal advice and should not be taken as such.  This is for informational purposes and does not create an attorney/client relationship. Every case is different and if you want an attorney with Kansas expungement experience contact an expungement attorney in your area.

Heavy DUI Patrol in Riley County, Kansas

As the school year comes to a close, the Riley County Police Department will be conducting a DUI Saturation Patrol on Friday, May 16, 2014 in the Manhattan area.

At a Saturation Patrol officers will be looking for signs of driving under the influence due to alcohol or drugs, as well as other traffic violations. This DUI Saturation Patrol in the Manhattan area is the first in a series of five that will be conducted this year.   

If you do find yourself in any form of legal trouble, contact an experienced Manhattan, Kansas Attorney for more information and a free consultation. The knowledge of a Manhattan, Kansas DUI attorney can help you with your criminal charges.   

If you are facing DUI charges in Junction City, our services are also offered in Geary County and at the Junction City Municipal Court.

Now Defending Criminal Cases in Ellis, Clay, Morris, and Dickenson Counties

From a small town? Found yourself in some legal trouble? A Riley County attorney is now serving the neighboring counties for all of your legal needs. Services include: DUI defense, minor in possession/consumption defense, expungements, drug charges, theft, paraphernalia, evading arrest, domestic charges, and juvenile offenses.  Our office provides free consultations and we are able to travel.  

Our office will continue to provide legal representation for criminal defense matters in Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary County, our services are expanding to the new areas mentioned above. 

If you have any questions or would like a free consultation to discuss your legal options in a criminal matter, contact a Manhattan, Kansas Attorney.

New Expungement Fee in Manhattan Municipal Court

An expungement in Manhattan Municipal Court is a way you request that your record be cleared of a conviction or multiple convictions stemming from the same case number. As of October 1, 2013 a $60 fee will be charged to file an expungement through the Manhattan Municipal Court.  Previous to October 1, 2013 costs of an expungement in the Manhattan Municipal Court has been free.

Before contacting a Kansas attorney for more information on the proper course of action to file for an expungement, you will need to gather some information to assist in the process. For the list of information as well as more information on expungements, please see our blog entries on Geary County Expungement and Junction City Expungement.

Once a Kansas expungement attorney has this information they can help you obtain a fresh start by expunging your old charges and convictions. For more information and a free consultation, contact a Kansas Expungement Attorney in the Manhattan, Kansas area.

Heavy DUI patrol in Riley County, Kansas

Tonight the Riley County Police Department has planned a Saturation Patrol in the Manhattan and surrounding areas. This is the sixth one of its kind this year. The Saturation Patrol is a surplus of officers that are keeping an eye out for impaired driving and other traffic violations. With that being said, designate a sober driver, call a cab, phone a friend, or walk.

If you do find yourself in any form of legal trouble, contact a Riley County Attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you receive the best outcome to your case. 

Geary County Expungement and Junction City Expungement

In Kansas, an expungement is the way to clear your record of a particular conviction or numerous convictions that stem from the same case number. If you want a fresh start or are you trying to rid yourself of past run-in’s with the law in Geary County or Junction City, and expungement is the way to do it.

Before you contact a Kansas attorney for your Geary County or Junction City Expungement, you will need to be prepared with the following information to assist your attorney with a speedy resolution to your case:

1.      The name you were arrested under and your date of birth

2.      Your current address

3.      The court or county in which you were arrested

4.      Your court case number OR if you don’t know it the approximate year of your arrest.

5.      Have you been in trouble with the law since your conviction?

6.      The date of the termination of your probation/sentence/diversion.

The cost for filing an expungement in the Riley County District Court and in the Geary County District Court is $119.00. 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.

Once a Kansas expungement attorney has this information, it becomes a much easier process for them to assist you. For more information and a free consultation, contact a Kansas Expungement Attorney in your area. The knowledge and skill of your legal counsel can make a major difference in the outcome of your new beginning.

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.)

Drug Possession Attorney in Kansas: Country Stampede ­­­

Possession of illegal drugs or paraphernalia will likely land you a criminal charge for possession of controlled substance.  Things like Mary Jane, cocaine, molly, snow, X, marijuana, blow, reefer, powder, soft cookies, are all terms for drugs which are illegal to possess in the State of Kansas.

Possession of a controlled substance, paraphernalia, or any form of drug, can land you with some harsh consequences. Even the residue in a smoking or storing device (sometimes called resin) can be grounds for a possession charge if it tests positive for a controlled substance.

Drug possession charges range from a misdemeanor to a felony with the possible sentence range from diversion to prison.  There also may be educational class requirements to educate about drug addiction.  Sometimes many hours of community service will be required. And needless to say, you can expect thousands of dollars in fines if you get convicted.

For more information and a free consultation, contact a Kansas Criminal Attorney in your area. The knowledge and skill of your legal counsel can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.

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.

Junction City DUI Attorney

If you get a DUI in Junction City or anywhere else in the State of Kansas you have 14 days to request an administrative hearing from the Kansas Driver Control Bureau.  The procedure for doing this is found on the back of the DC-27 form which you should have been given after your arrest. It's a pink piece of paper that is a copy of your arresting officer's certification that you either failed or refused a preliminary breath test.

In order to protect your driving privileges, contact a knowledgeable Junction City DUI attorney to help you review your case.  The sooner an attorney is contacted the sooner they can begin protecting your driving privileges and taking action in your criminal case.   This also brings up an important point: your driver's license hearing request associated with your DC-27 form is not usually relevant to the criminal aspect of your DUI.  So if you get a "win" on your administrative (a.k.a. driver's license) hearing it does not mean you have beat the criminal charges associated with the DUI.  The same applies in the criminal case in that if you get a "win" on the criminal side, it does not necessarily mean that your driver's license and driving privileges will remain after you get a DUI.

For more information, contact an attorney who serves the Junction City, and Manhattan, Kansas areas.

Manhattan, KS Criminal Defense Attorney - Personalized Representation

Needing a criminal defense attorney? When I get a call from someone in trouble with the law a common question is: "Can I just go do it myself?"

If you're charged with a crime in Manhattan Municipal Court or Riley County District Court getting a favorable resolution is not your typical do-it-yourself projects. 

There are a number of steps that must be taken in order to fully prepare for defending a criminal case.  It won't be enough to just go in front of the judge and explain what happened and why you shouldn't be convicted of the crime charged.   If you want a chance to do that, you will have to have a trial and you will have to testify.  Unfortunately you will likely be testifying against a police officer who made a report of the alleged crime shortly after the arrest or citation was made.  This means that the Riley County Police Department officer will have things in front of him or her that will refresh their recollection of the event and their testimony will likely carry more weight than yours.

It's not always right, but that's often the way it is.  Luckily, there are ways to prepare your case so that you will have a fighting chance.

Of the things you can do in order to fully prepare for a criminal defense trial, many are not obvious.  A criminal defense attorney with experience evaluating, trying, and defending criminal charges in Riley County and Manhattan, KS will give you your best shot.  Contact our Manhattan, KS law office for a no-cost consultation.  At our new downtown Manhattan location, our staff will give you the personalized representation you deserve.  When you call, you'll talk directly to a Manhattan, KS attorney who regularly practices in Manhattan, KS, Junction City, KS, and Pottawatomie County.

This is not legal advice but simply a blog written by the folks over at  Blake Robinson Attorney at Law in Manhattan, KS for information purposes only.

Getting a DUI in the Snow in Manhattan, KS

Over the past 2 weeks Mother Nature has been sending lots of snow over the Manhattan and Junction City, KS areas.  Obviously there will be the usual fender benders and other snow related accidents, but what about getting a DUI while there's snow on the ground? 

The snow presents a complicating factor when evaluating whether you've been unfairly charged with a DUI in Manhattan, KS or Junction City, KS.  The icy roads, low visibility, and dangerous conditions all contribute to a driver's behavior and these factors must be considered in the initial DUI evaluation. 

If you get pulled over and cited for a DUI while these adverse conditions exist, you should contact a DUI attorney in the area as soon as possible.  Remember, no matter what the conditions are, you only have 14 days to preserve your driving privileges.

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.

New Years Eve DUI Checkpoints

No DUI checkpoints are scheduled for Riley County for New Years Eve tonight, however, it's very likely the RCPD will be doing saturation patrols around the Manhattan, KS area.  Be careful out there and don't drink and drive.  If you need a ride please call one of the many taxi services in the area. 

Manhattan, KS Expungements

In Manhattan, KS, there are two court's of law where you may have old convictions: 1. The Riley County District Court, and; 2. The Manhattan Municipal Court. While the differences between the courts are important if you are attempting to get an expungement of old convictions in either court, the requirements will be very similar.

Depending on the conviction you must wait either 3 or 5 years from the "final disposition" of your case in order to successfully get an expungement in Manhattan, KS.   Most felonies require 5 years, while lesser crimes only take 3 years.

It's important to note, however, that you must have a clean record between the final disposition of your case and requesting an expungement.  This is because as part of your expungement request you will have to submit and affidavit (which is a document that you sign and swear to it's truthfulness) that states you have not been in trouble for x number of years.  This affidavit will also have to include things such as your current job, place of residence, and other contact information.

Once submitted, a motion for expungement may still require a hearing.  During this hearing, a Judge might ask you questions about where your living and your job status, among other things and the County or City Prosecutor might even try to cross examine you.

If you have an old Manhattan, KS criminal conviction that is holding you back from applying for jobs or seeking other employment, contact a lawyer in Manhattan, KS that can help you get an expungement of these old charges so you can move on with your life.

Important Information if You've Been in a Car Accident

When you are hurt in an auto accident, the first thing is to make sure you are getting the medical help you need.  Priority number one is getting better and being healthy.  

Your second priority should be to contact a lawyer. If you've been in a car accident in Manhattan, KS it's important to contact a local car accident lawyer who is familiar with the local court rules and procedures.  Sometimes an insurance company will try to contact you and ask you questions about the accident.  Do not answer their questions.  In all likelihood these companies are going to be looking for someone to pin liability on.  Even if you were not at fault it's best to instruct the insurance company that they should direct their questions to your attorney. 

This bellies the importance of contacting an attorney soon after you've been hurt in an accident.  Once you hire a car accident attorney, he or she will begin working for you to get the best possible outcome and "make you whole."

The term "make you whole" is underlying idea behind the personal injury lawsuit.  When you have a major personal injury, for example, if you lost a limb, it's the lawyer's job to help asses how the loss of that limb will negatively effect your life.  If you lose the ability to golf and you prior to the accident you loved to golf how do you quantify in terms of monetary value the loss of being able to play golf every Saturday?

Through the use of experts and medical professionals we try to get some idea of the loss which you suffered due to your unfortunate car accident.  The civil suit then makes the effort of recouping in monetary value what you've lost. 

If you've been in an accident and been injured it's important to contact a lawyer that can help you as sometimes certain time constraints in filing suit can prevent you from recovery.  Contact a Manhattan, KS car accident attorney today to help you when you need it most.

Car Accidents in Manhattan, KS

Car accidents will happen.  In fact they're so common that almost everyone will either be in, or know someone who is in a car accident in their lifetime. 

When you've been in a car accident that occurred due to another person's negligence, there are certain things you should do to protect your rights. If someone runs a stop light, crashes into you and causes you to go to the hospital, that is called a personal injury.

There are numerous kinds of personal injury that range in severity from simple bruising to traumatic brain injury or death.  You can recover for these types of injuries especially when you've missed work or have suffered some level of disability as a result of the car accident. 

When you're confronted with a vehicular accident that wasn't your fault and find yourself with a personal injury and mounting medical bills, it's important to contact a local Manhattan, KS car accident attorney that can help you get the compensation you deserve.