The police chief for Overland Park, Kansas now has his own blog.  You can find it at http://oppdchief.blogspot.com/.

Recent updates include notifications of additional traffic enforcement by the Overland Park Traffic Safety Unit, local crime stories, and crime prevention tips.

The Overland Park city site also has a police blotter where you can search for various crimes and accidents in the database.

Both are recommended for good local information! The announcement of enhanced traffic enforcement locations can be a very handy warning to drive carefully and avoid any traffic violations.

An Overland Park man started his SUV one morning and then ran inside while it warmed up. While away, his car was stolen. Lucky for him—there’s an app for that.

The man is said to have left his cell phone in the vehicle and once his son reminded him of the GPS feature, he logged on to the computer and phoned the police. He was able to tell the cops where to turn and how to stay on the trail of the suspected car thieves.

Apparently, the thieves knew they were being followed and according to the Kansas City Star, they ripped out various features in the SUV to try and remove any potential tracking devices. The thieves abandoned the SUV, stole another car, and picked up a friend, all while holding on to the phone.

The friend who joined the duo in Olathe actually used the phone to call her probation officer. Eventually, after a chase that lasted 3 hours, the police caught the crew in a parked Lexus. Because the thieves reportedly took the SUV’s GPS device with them, it took the police 4 days to locate the stolen truck.

The two men are charged with being felons in possession of a firearm as a rifle was found in their possession. They will face these charges in federal court and may find themselves facing additional ones as the investigation proceeds.

Technology has a way of working for us or against us, depending on our needs. With phones and vehicles getting more and more advanced, they are being seen as high tech tools for law enforcement and law violators alike.

When you are facing criminal charges, the prosecution can use all sorts of evidence against you. However, there are numerous laws regarding how this evidence is collected. Because we are protected against unreasonable searches and seizures by the U.S. Constitution, anything seized from you in an illegal search will likely be not allowable in court.

If you are facing criminal charges like auto theft, firearms offenses, or drug charges, it is prudent that you be concerned about the evidence against you. Contact me to discuss your case and to ask any questions you might have about your search, arrest, and the evidence they have against you.

A High School principal is now facing a number of serious criminal charges relating to a domestic incident prior to being hired.

According to the Hutchinson News, Craig D. Butler, a newly appointed principal in Stanton County High School faces multiple criminal charges in the Johnson County Courts. Scheduled for trial on January 4^th, the 36 year old is facing violating a protection order, aggravated burglary, arson, and criminal damage.

Apparently the charges were filed prior to Butler getting the job in Stanton county in August of 2009. They arose from a domestic incident in August of 2008 involving Mr. Butler and his wife Tracy Butler. The incident took place in Olathe.

Butler is accused of burglarizing a home where his wife and another woman were present. He is said to have caused damage to numerous items and set her 2007 Camry on fire.

Stanton County school officials state they knew Butler had pending court issues but were unaware that they involved criminal charges. An attorney for the school system, David Shriver, believes a background check was done on Butler prior to his hiring but states “all charges are allegations at this point…they may not result in a conviction.”

According to the Hutchinson article, Butler’s defense will be that he lacked a proper mental state at the time of the incidents in question. This, the school system states, is a potential cause for concern.

Domestic violence issues like this one can affect your ability to get and keep a job. Because Butler had no conviction from these cases at the time of his hiring, he was likely under no legal obligation to tell his potential employer about the case.

However, once you are convicted of a charge like this, you have to divulge it to employers. Although this can be embarrassing and potentially impact your ability to be hired, not disclosing the information can lead to your termination at a later date.

Employment problems aren’t the only concern after a felony conviction. If you are facing criminal charges and curious about the potential impact they may have on your future, I understand.

Call me today for a consultation on your case and to see how a defense attorney like myself can help.

The US Supreme Court as a whole decided not to take up a Virginia case that decided an anonymous call is not sufficient evidence by itself for police to pull over a car.But Chief Justice John Roberts indicated that he wanted to the court to take on the case and made the rule clear for all states. Currently 3 other states don’t allow anonymous phone calls to so-called “Drunk Busters Hotlines” to be the sole basis for the police to track down and stop a driver on the highway.

This article in the Star Tribune notes that Roberts believes the Virginia court decision grants people “one free swerve” before being stopped, and that this is dangerous to public safety.

Crime Scene KC asks “Is a tipster’s word enough to justify a traffic stop?” In Kansas and Missouri, under the law, it absolutely is. But is that fair?

Is it truly a significant burden to either a) require a tipster to leave their name and contact information, or b) have a police officer actually observe someone engaging in dangerous driving or other traffic violations before pulling them over?

Anonymous calls to police have implications in more than just DUI cases. Allowing anonymous tips without any corroboration is practically inviting abuse and governmental overreach. With this standard, the police can essentially pull anyone over for any reason, chalking it up to an “anonymous” tip, that they can either make up or manufacturer themselves.

And this is unfortunately the law in Kansas.

In the most unusual Kansas DUI story of the week, and man was arrested after stealing an ambulance in Lawrence. Apparently, in his mental state this seemed like the most logical way to get himself home.The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the ambulance was responding to a medical emergency down the street from where the man had allegedly been drinking.

He was quickly stopped and charged with both DUI and theft of items valued at over $100,000. The theft charge is actually much more serious. It is a felony offense under Kansas law, and he could be facing years in prison as a result of this unfortunate escapade.

In many states across the country law enforcement has taken the option to refuse a DUI breath test away on some weekends. Kansas law enforcement officials are looking at including this type of crackdowns in their arsenal as well.

A ‘No Refusal’ weekend works to cut down on people refusing breathalyzer tests when stopped on suspicion of DUI. Officials in our state are concerned that the rate of refusals is rising and wants to put a stop to that trend.

If they go forward with it, law enforcement would be able to get a warrant from a judge in order to draw blood in the case of a refusal, essentially taking away the person’s right to refuse and ensuring the police have the evidence they want. Prosecutors will be on call to file motions upon someone’s arrest, and judges will be on call to sign these motions, compelling a blood test on the spot, to test for BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) levels.

Critics worry that this infringes on people’s rights and is way too invasive. As this report from KWCH states, a breath test isn’t necessary for a conviction in a DUI case and using warrants to get blood draws seems quite extreme.

It ca be common for someone with a previous DUI arrests to refuse to submit to a breath test. Kansas officials want to compel defendants to provide this evidence. They want to ensure drunk drivers are arrested and cases brought before the courts are easier for the prosecutors to get a conviction.

It makes sense that refusals rise as individuals are arrested for DUI multiple times. The penalties for DUI grow quite rapidly as your consecutive convictions mount.

For instance, a first time DUI charge can get you up to 6 months in jail, fines, and a 30 day license suspension. However, your second DUI can get you up to 1 year in jail, a 1 year suspension, and a mandatory ignition interlock device installed once your license is reinstated.

Your third DUI can be charged as a felony. This is a title you will carry the rest of your life. As a convicted felon you may have a harder time getting a job and approved for rental property.

DUI cases are taken very seriously in Kansas and the consideration of ‘No Refusal’ weekends is evidence of this.

If you are facing charges of DUI you need an aggressive attorney fighting for you every step of the way. Whether this is your first DUI case or your 5^th, call me to discuss your case immediately to see how I may be able to help.

The case of the police officer sending naked pictures of himself from a police computer is likely to end in a plea agreement.

According to the Kansas City Star, the (now former) police officer in Goddard, Kansas was offering to attempt get a drunk driving charge dismissed for a Wichita woman in exchange for a sexual relationship.  He was also charged with wire fraud.

While a case like this suggests many level of impropriety, illegal behavior, and abuse of police authority, most so called “sexting” cases are far more innocent. Kids who send sexually suggestive texts or images can be charged with Indecent Liberties and Electronic Solicitation, even when both are minors, or only a few years apart.

While some people suggest that this kind of behavior is still outrageous and illegal, it is common for teens in particular to experiment with their budding sexuality. Add in the pervasiveness of cameras on phones and other technology, and a dose of old fashioned peer pressure, and kids are bound to due stupid things.

Yet police, prosecutors, and some parents in Kansas can overreact to these situations. You don’t want a stupid mistake to create a juvenile or adult criminal record, or result in a label as a sexual offender.

Most of this should absolutely not be criminal behavior and should be kept out of Kansas courts.

If you or someone you know is facing charges for sexting, or electronic solicitation in Kansas, please contact me to see how I can help.

The chemical substance known as GHB has become a popular party drug and even considered (inaccurately) to be a bodybuilding aid in some circles. Once known as the “date rape drug”, it’s usage and popularity have become widespread.  This man-made chemical solution is addictive, illegal, and deadly.

This article in the Kansas City Star details the stories of both a GHB party girl who lost her life to the drug and a rape victim who was unknowingly slipped GHB in her drink at a neighborhood party.

Whether the drug is taken knowingly or not, the effects are dramatic. Apparently one small capful is the equivalent of drinking 5 drinks instantly. This high level of intoxication is desirable among some partiers who push the line between what is safe and what is toxic.

When slipped unknowingly into someone’s drink, it doesn’t take much of the substance to cause the victim to be highly intoxicated and unable to control their muscles. Their memory of any events while under the influence can be hazy, at best.

The ignorance about this drug isn’t likely to last, however, as it becomes more common. Employee drug tests don’t test for the substance and neither do home testing kits as the mother of Alina Bostic realized after her daughter had succumbed to addiction.

To watch someone slip into the grips of addiction can be devastating. To be arrested for being in possession of a drug like GHB can be equally life changing, but may be the chance someone needs to get help.

If you are facing drug charges, I understand that doesn’t necessarily make you an addict. However, the state of Kansas has programs to assist first time drug offenders. These programs may help you avoid jail time.

Call me to tell me about the details of your case today. Whether you are charged with marijuana possession or distributing meth, I can help.

An accident that occurred on Monday left one woman dead and an Independence man in custody.

Eighty-four year old Rita Huscher was killed on Monday when her van was rear-ended, sending her to crash head on into a bridge support pillar according to the Kansas City Star. The accident occurred on Kansas 7 and 95^th Street in Lenexa.

Carl Montgomery of Independence left the scene of the accident and was later arrested. He is now being held on $100,000 in the Johnson County jail. He is charged with hit and run resulting in death and driving on a suspended license.

While we cannot know what was going through Mr. Montgomery’s mind immediately following the accident, it may have had something to do with fear of being caught driving without a license.

When you are involved in an auto accident, your adrenaline goes through the roof. He probably didn’t consider the ramifications of leaving the accident and thought he had a good chance of getting away.

Now he face more than just driving on a suspended license charge, he faces a serious hit and run charge as well.

His flight is not all that unusual. Many people who leave an accident scene do it because they aren’t supposed to be driving, are intoxicated, or have a fear that there may be warrants out for their arrest. In the majority of cases, however, these people are eventually caught.

A hit and run charge can be quite serious depending on the results of the accident. For instance, because this particular accident resulted in death, Mr. Montgomery is likely facing Class 9 felony charges and a potential 5-17 months in prison.

This doesn’t include his suspended license charge which could get him additional time as well as fines.

Your best bet when involved in an accident is to relax and avoid further problems like a hit and run charge. If you, however, are facing charges of hit and run or driving on a suspended license, you are going to want an attorney who has experience in these practice areas.

Call me today to discuss the specifics of your case.

Many people would be surprised at just how many homicides and assaults in the Kansas City Kansas area are domestic incidences. We hurt the ones we love the most is taken to a macabre extreme when we talk about domestic violence.

According to Sam Hartle at the Kansas City Kansan, a middle aged man was allegedly stabbed to death by a woman he had some sort of domestic relationship with. She was taken into custody at the scene.

It’s not clear what triggered the argument or what happened behind closed doors at the small house on N. 80^th Place seen here in these photos. Often in situations like this drugs or alcohol is involved and that may have been the case here.

In order for the KCK Police Department to classify an offense as being domestic in nature, one of the following relationship-s must exist between the alleged aggressor and the victim: spouse or ex spouse, parents, children, roommates, former roommates, people who have a child in common, or people with an unborn child in common.  No reports indicate what the relationship was between the two people involved in this particular case.

Luckily, most domestic violence cases don’t get to this level of violence. Domestic battery, however, is still a very serious offense. The crime of domestic violence is taken seriously by the police who investigate it and respond initially to the scene, by the prosecution who decides to go forward with charges, and the judge or jury who determines guilt.

When facing such serious charges, it pays to have an experienced local KCK attorney on your side. If you are facing charges of domestic violence you likely feel that no one is on your side. Call me today and let me know about your case. I understand that we all make mistakes. Maybe that is the case in your situation.

Whatever the circumstances, I would like to help. Please contact me for a legal consultation on Kansas criminal charges.