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.

Manhattan, KS Weekend DUI Checkpoint – May 10, 2014

This weekend the Riley County Police Department will be having a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in the City of Manhattan. The checkpoint will begin Saturday, May 10, 2014 and will continue into the morning ours of Sunday, May 11, 2014.  If you approach this DUI checkpoint and the officers suspect that you are above the legal limit, an on-site field sobriety test will be given.  

The following things could give the officers suspicion that you are under the influence: admitting to consuming alcohol, watery bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, odor of intoxicants, and driving infractions. 

If you are arrested for DUI you will be given a citation and a notice to appear in the Manhattan Municipal Court or the Riley County District Court.   You will also have 14 days from the day of your citation to request an administrative hearing to preserve your driving privileges.

If you think you maybe too impaired to drive, call a taxi or designate a sober friend before the night of fun begins. If you do happen to receive a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) citation, contact a knowledgeable Manhattan area attorney so they can begin to preserve your driving privileges and help you reach a speedy resolution to a DUI that could have lasting affects on your life.

Minor in Possession on Fake Patty’s Day

Tomorrow is the big Fake Patty’s Day celebration!  If you are a minor and you are caught drinking or carrying alcohol by the Riley County Police it is likely that you will end up with a Minor in Possession/Consumption (MIP or MIC). A run in like this with law enforcement can be a real damper to the rest of your Fake Paddy’s celebration.   

If you are a minor here are some things you may want to keep in mind with regard to MIP or MIC:

1. Do not take an open container or a closed container of alcohol ANYWHERE. If an officer finds you, he can cite you for a Minor in Possession.
2. If you are at a house party that seems to be getting out of hand and you think the cops may arrive soon, LEAVE. Even if you are not drinking, you could be charged with a Minor in Possession (MIP). If you are drinking and the owner of the house is of lawful age to drink, they could be charged with Supplying to a Minor and you could be cited for a Minor in Consumption (MIC). Hosting to a minor could lead to a fine up to $1,000.00.
3. Avoid the bar scene. Getting caught with a fake I.D. could lead to a Possession of a False Identification and may be a serious felony. You could also be charged with Attempting to Purchase Alcohol. Do not ask to borrow your friends I.D. this could also get them in trouble with the law.

So as a reminder, try not to drink in excess this weekend and obey the law. If you are underage, you are more likely to get an MIC/MIP on Fake Paddy’s then most other days out of the year.  If you do find yourself in need of legal assistance, contact a Manhattan, KS attorney for a consultation in your case.

Fake Patty’s Day Crime Tips from a Manhattan, KS Attorney

The Fake Patty’s day celebration is upon us here in Manhattan, KS! For your safety, there will be an escalated presence of police and EMT workers in the area. Part of the effort to keep Fake Patty’s attendees safe is making a medical pavilion in the City Park just south of Aggieville.

If you have plans to participate in the festivities and you want stay out of both the medical pavilion and the custody of the Riley County Police Department, here is a short list of the dos and don’ts:

1. DON’T take an open container out in public! This includes the sidewalk right outside your (or your friends) house. All sidewalks and alleyways are public property.
2. DO drink some water, eat some food, and pace yourself.
3. DON’T take shots! These things, jello or otherwise, will catch up to you faster than you can keep track.
4. DO have a designated driver! The ATA Bus will run from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and SafeRide will also be in service from 11:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m. with their standard routes.
5. DO contact a Manhattan, KS Attorney if you find yourself in trouble.
6. DO exercise your right to remain silent if you are under arrest.

This advice doesn’t just apply to Fake Patty’s day but rather to any event where alcohol may be present. Here are some “Things to Know Before Fake Patty’s Day” from your local Riley County Police Department. If you do find yourself in need of any legal services after the weekend is over, it is in your best interest to hire a Manhattan, KS attorney so they could begin working on your case immediately.

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.

Kansas Expungement of Criminal Record

It comes that time a year again where a New Year’s resolution means a new you. For some that may mean a new diet and exercise regimen, a new job, but for others a ‘new you’ could mean getting rid of your past criminal charges, arrests, or criminal convictions by getting an expungement.

Expungement is the technical term for cleaning your record.  To “expunge” means to strike out, obliterate, or mark for deletion according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  In essence your are “striking out” old arrests, criminal records, and convictions when you have them expunged in Kansas.

A past crime, no matter how long ago, will not disappear over time on its own. You will need to request its removal by obtaining an expungement.  Whether you were convicted or arrested, an expungement can be a viable option for you depending on the severity of the crime and how many years have elapsed since that said conviction or arrest.

The costs of an expungement will vary depending on the court you were convicted in.  A city Municipal Court and a County District Court, even if in the same county, will have their own procedures and costs for getting your criminal records expunged. 

Cost To Expunge Your Criminal Record

The filing cost of most expungements in a Kansas District Court is $119.00.  This is the payment that must be made to the District Court Clerk of the County where you were arrested or accused.  Filing in some municipal courts can range in cost from free, all the way to $119.00.

            An expungement can be a lengthy process that you may not understand or have time to complete on your own. With the help of a knowledgeable attorney who handles Kansas expungements, this process can be less burdensome on you. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner you will be able to start on the ‘new you’ that you hope to see in the upcoming year and get your old convictions or arrests of your record.

Contact a Kansas expungement attorney for a free phone or in office consultation regarding your expungement today.