Criminal Law

First and foremost, Aaron loves to be in the courtroom. When you need a criminal attorney to fight for your rights, he will be there every step of the way. Aaron’s passion for litigation began early while working as a prosecutor in the Major Crime and Property Fraud units at the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office. His experience there, both in the courtroom and out, provides his clients with an attorney that understands the criminal process from both sides of the aisle.

Not only does Aaron understand how local courts operate, but he grew up in Southwest Missouri and understands the community from which a potential jury may be derived. Aaron’s experience will help craft a defense that is tailored to the individual, not just the charge.

When Aaron began his criminal practice, he wanted to be different from other firms. To him, you aren’t just a case, you are a person whose future is at stake. If you have been charged with a crime, Aaron will work with you to make sure that all aspects of your representation are designed to give you the best possible chance of success.

Phil is a skilled trial attorney, negotiator, and advocate for his clients. He began his career in the civil law arena, where he focused on complex cases involving malpractice, fraud, serious physical injury, and death. As a criminal defense lawyer, he applies his skillset to aggressively defend cases against his clients. Phil’s broad legal experience allows him to take a methodical and strategic approach to identifying the most effective defense against the prosecution’s charges.

Phil is a Southwest Missouri native with deep-seated ties to the legal community and beyond. He is passionate about getting to know his clients, understanding their unique backgrounds and situations, and fighting for their rights in the courtroom.

While the term “white collar crime” may conjure up images of wealthy executives engaged in nefarious activities, the reality is that this type of crime can be committed by anyone who uses their position to commit fraud or other illegal acts.

The consequences of a white-collar conviction can be severe, including prison time, heavy fines, and damage to your reputation.

Our white-collar Criminal Law defense employs a strategic and aggressive approach to these cases, and we have a proven track record of success.

Common white-collar crimes that we defend against include:

• Embezzlement
• Fraud
• Bribery
• Money laundering
• Securities fraud
• Health care fraud
• Environmental crimes
• Mortgage fraud
• Identity theft
• Tax evasion

Don’t let a white-collar crime charge ruin your life.

Drug crimes encompass a wide range of criminal offenses, from simple possession to drug trafficking and distribution.

The specific penalties that a person faces for a drug crime will depend on the type and amount of drugs involved. Societies’ attitudes towards drug charges are changing, but even a first-time offense can result in jail time, heavy fines, and a criminal record.

Let our experienced Criminal Law attorneys help you fight back if you have been charged with a drug crime:

• Possession of drugs
• Possession with intent to sell or distribute
• Trafficking or distribution of drugs
• Manufacturing of drugs
• Drug cultivation

Possible defenses to drug charges include:

• Lack of knowledge or awareness
• Unlawful search and seizure
• Violation of due process rights
• Entrapment

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious crime that can result in harsh penalties if the defendant is convicted. Possible penalties for a DUI / DWI conviction include jail time, heavy fines, and a driver’s license suspension.

To convict a person of DUI / DWI, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can be proven through a variety of evidence, including:

• The results of a chemical test (blood, breath, or urine),
• Witness testimony,
• The defendant’s behavior,
• The defendant’s driving patterns.

Possible defenses to DUI / DWI charges include:

• Lack of probable cause for the traffic stop
• Unlawful search and seizure
• Violation of due process rights
• Inaccurate or unreliable chemical test results

There are different degrees of assault in Missouri, ranging from those which only threaten harm, all the way to crimes involving allegations of serious physical injury. There are many potential defenses to assault charges, including:

– Self-defense or
– Defense of others
– Consent
– Severity of Injury

If you have been charged with assault, let our criminal law defense lawyers help you fight back. We have extensive experience dealing with serious physical injury and have the resources to help you develop the strongest case possible.

Theft and property crimes are serious offenses that can result in harsh penalties if the defendant is convicted. Theft or property crime conviction penalties include jail time, heavy fines, and a criminal record.

The specific penalties that a person faces for a theft or property crime will depend on the type and value of the property involved, as well as the state in which the crime was committed. However, even a first-time offense can result in jail time and heavy fines.

Some common types of theft and property crimes include:

• Burglary
• Robbery
• Shoplifting
• Arson
• Vandalism

Defenses to theft and property crime charges include:

• Lack of intent to steal or vandalize
• Inability to consent to a property crime (i.e. underage, mentally incompetent, etc.)
• Duress or coercion
• Entrapment

Before you plead guilty to a theft or property crime, call our experienced criminal law defense lawyers for a consultation. Our Criminal Law attorneys can also help you if you have been charged with a related offense, such as receiving stolen property.

When it comes to cybercrime, having a good defense attorney can mean the difference between a successful prosecution and a dismissal of charges. Cybercrime laws are constantly evolving, and it is important to have an attorney who is up-to-date on the latest changes.

Some common types of cybercrime include:

• Hacking
• Identity theft
• Phishing
• Spamming
• Cyberstalking
• Cyberbullying

If you have been charged with a cybercrime, we can help you fight these serious charges.

A conspiracy charge is a type of criminal charge that alleges that the defendant engaged in a crime with one or more other people. Conspiracy charges are serious allegations that can result in harsh penalties if the defendant is convicted. Common examples of conspiracies include drug crimes, theft crimes, and fraud crimes.

The most important element of a conspiracy charge is the agreement between the conspirators to commit a crime. The agreement does not need to be formal or written; it can be an oral agreement or even an agreement implied by the conspirators’ actions.

However, merely being accused of a conspiracy is not enough to convict a person; the prosecutor must also prove that the defendant knew about the agreement and intended to further the objectives of the conspiracy. In other words, simply being unknowingly present during a crime or unaware of the details of a crime is often not enough to be convicted.

Let our experienced criminal law defense lawyers help you fight back if you have been charged with conspiracy to commit an offense.

if you are accused of a crime, the government may seek to seize your assets through asset forfeiture. This process allows the government to take ownership of your property associated with criminal activity.

Asset forfeiture is often used in drug cases but can be used in any criminal case. The government may seize your home, car, bank accounts, and other valuables that they allege was used or intended for use in a crime.

Fighting asset forfeiture can be a complex and daunting task, but our lawyers are ready to help and will work tirelessly to help you keep your property.