J. Houston Bales

Criminal Defense Attorney

Our Services

01

Violent Crime

In Kansas, it is extremely easy to find yourself accused of a serious crime resulting from an otherwise minor altercation that carries serious consequences. Even saying the wrong thing at the wrong time canresult in a felony charge. And many violent felonies carry punitive post-conviction consequences, likeoffender registration. Prison time often looms behind the charge, making the stakes extremely high. Whether you are facing a Criminal Threat or a Kidnapping, trying to discern exactly which flavor ofAggravated Battery you’ve been…

02

Sex Crime

Few accusations are as serious as an accusation of a sex crime. Only murder carries a more severepenalty, and that’s before considering the impact that lifetime post-release and sex offender registrationhave on a person’s life. But unlike murder, investigations into sex crimes are simpler by the nature ofthe offense, with many crimes charged simply on a he-said she-said basis. Facing an accusation of a sex crime, you need to trust that your attorney can look past the accusationsto see the…

03

Drug crime

Opiates, marijuana, methamphetamine, fentanyl. Addiction attacks the most vulnerable in our society,and the criminalization of addiction feeds addicts into the machine of criminal justice to grind them topowder. While communities in Kansas and the state as a whole have taken measures to providetreatment to folks suffering from addiction, a drug charge requires an attorney sensitive not only to thecomplex legal issues relating to drug investigations, but also an attorney sensitive to the challengesfaced by addicts. I have represented many folks…

04

Domestic Violence

Whether you are charged in a municipality or in the county, no matter the specific crime, accusations ofdomestic violence are extremely stressful and carry impacts far beyond the simple sentence. No-contactorders destroy relationships, and the collateral consequences of a domestic violence conviction can be life-changing. In domestic violence cases, you need an attorney who understands the dynamics involved and can use the resources available to the defense to act quickly to minimize the impact on your life. You also need…

05

DUI

Driving Under the Influence and related crimes cover a broad spectrum of conduct: from simple countsof transporting an open container to depraved heart murder by DUI. The core challenges are similar:was the driver impaired, and was the case properly investigated? People often get wrapped up in thefirst issue without giving appropriate weight to the second. DUI cases need appropriate attention paid to both aspects, and a case strategy built around the attackthat bests suits your facts, whether that’s an attack…

06

Property Crimes

With roots stretching back to English law from the Dark Ages, property crimes include much more thansimple theft. From fraud to burglary, computer crime to blackmail, property crimes have big impactsbeyond prison time, with hefty restitutions, special sentencing rules, and high passions on all sides. If you have been accused of a property crime, regardless of the type, you need a lawyer who can helpyou navigate the complexities of the law and the emotions motivating the alleged victims. Give me…

07

Misdemeanors

“It’s just a misdemeanor. What’s the big deal?” Treating misdemeanors like anything other than a serious problem will lead to bigger problems downthe road. Misdemeanors in Kansas can alter criminal history, make you liable for felonies in the future,and create problems in your life. Misdemeanors can be deceptively tricky to defend. Without timely action from counsel, your rights andoptions may be constrained at early stages, and it is important to have an attorney who understands thenuances in misdemeanor defense. If…

08

Traffic Citations

Nobody likes getting pulled over, even if you only get a ticket. Citations begin as minor problems, butif ignored the problems can grow into jail time, license suspensions, and even misdemeanor charges.And this is before considering the impact on your license if you have a CDL. If you have recently received a traffic citation and want to explore what options you may have beyondpaying the ticket, give me a call. I’d love to help you figure out what options you…

09

Municipal Charges

Municipal trouble comes in many different shapes and sizes. Traffic tickets, misdemeanor charges,citations for environmental issues, pets not being properly cared for, and really anything against yourcity’s ordinances get settled in municipal courts. These more informal processes carry formalconsequences: fines, fees, probation, jail time, and real restrictions on rights and privileges can result ifthese processes are not handled correctly. The process doesn’t stop in municipal court. The right to appeal these convictions will take you intodistrict court, where the full…

10

Juvenile Accusations

When a child is accused of a crime, it is life-changing, even if they manage to avoid the conviction.What to do with a criminal charge is a decision that may impact a child’s future for much longer thanthe sentence they may receive. It is important for the accused child to receive accurate advice abouttheir options, the consequences of those options, and what the court will expect from the child movingforward. If you or a loved one is a child facing…

11

White Collar Crime

White collar crimes are property crimes committed usually through the manipulation of money orinformation. From bad checks to multi-million dollar embezzlement schemes, even the smallest ofwhite collar crimes involve complex sentencing provisions and nearly always require restitution. Often,these cases require expert witnesses to evaluate all manner of data, and an articulate advocate toexplain complicated issues to a jury. If you have been accused of a white collar crime, call or text me today. I would love to help youevaluate your…

12

Probation Violations

Getting on probation from a misdemeanor or felony charge should be the end of your journey throughthe court system. Unfortunately, many people find themselves unable to keep up with the demands oftheir probation or placed in unfortunate circumstances that derail their progress on probation. Probation violations are deceptively simple but carry severe consequences. I routinely teach otherlawyers how to navigate probation violations on behalf of their clients, and stay up to date on all thelatest developments in the law to…

13

Probation Modification

One thing the judge doesn’t usually tell you when a probation sentence is imposed: a probation can befreely modified at any time. The power of the judge to modify probation even extends to the underlyingsentence itself. If you want to adjust something specific about your probation conditions, end yourprobation entirely, or just explore what may be possible in your situation, please give me a call or textanytime. I would love to help you gain a measure of freedom back in…

14

Protection Orders

Like misdemeanors, protection orders are often dismissed as trivial matters when they are anything but.Protection from Abuse and Protection from Stalking orders are poorly understood and carry severeconsequences, such as the loss of certain rights and exposure to felony charges for even inadvertentviolations. On the other side, there are many people who need such orders. Navigating the court system is difficult,and the applications require reliving events the petitioner may not want to revisit. The assistance ofcounsel when seeking a protection…

15

Pre-Charging Representation

Trouble doesn’t always come out of the blue. Sometimes, you can see trouble coming from a long waysaway. Maybe you made a mistake. Maybe nothing at all happened, but someone else is saying it did. Inthe event that trouble seems like it might come your way, it’s helpful to have someone ready to guideyou through the early phases of the criminal process. Securing an attorney’s services before charges come your way doesn’t just get you a helping hand. Anattorney can…

16

Gang List

In 2024, the American Civil Liberties Union won a settlement from the Wichita Police Departmentregarding the WPD’s gang list. This list is a database built and managed by the WPD to determine andtrack gang membership in Wichita. Many people on the list did not even know they were on it.I assisted with the ACLU’s efforts to force the WPD to develop procedures for people who want to know their gang list status, and for people who are on the list…

17

Expungement and Rights Restorations

Once you have resolved your criminal matter, you may be eligible for expungement of your arrest, yourconviction, or both. Expungements aren’t perfect, but they can open a lot of doors that your convictionsmay have closed to you. If you want to talk about expungement, give me a call and we can exploreyour eligibility and how to get the expungement process started. Expungements aren’t the solution to everything. In particular, a Kansas expungement likely will notrestore gun rights lost as a…

Latest posts

This text can be changed in the section "Latest posts"

Google map

Our office is located at 505 S Broadway, Suite 207

Contact Us

This text can be changed in the section "Contact Us"

Our Office:

505 S Broadway Avenue, Suite 207
Office is by appointments only.
Please call or e-mail to schedule a time to visit!

Give us a call:

J. Houston Bales
Call or Text 316-377-2605
Or e-mail hello@ksdefender.com