The Law Office of James L. Spies, P.A.

09/05/2025

aggressivecriminallaw.com/blog/what-the-kansas-city-chiefs-can-teach-you-about-building-a-winning-defense

When you think of the Kansas City Chiefs, you probably picture Patrick Mahomes slinging impossible passes, Travis Kelce finding space where none exists, and Arrowhead Stadium roaring with the loudest fans in football. Behind all of that is something that connects championship football to criminal de

08/15/2025

A big win today in Shawnee County District Court!

When is a guilty verdict a victory? When it’s guilty of involuntary manslaughter rather than intentional second degree murder. The difference is that my client is now facing 3 1/2 years in prison rather than 17 years.

08/02/2025

When local news stations need expert legal commentary, they turn to The Law Office of James L. Spies, P.A.

Shawn Harris, the suspect accused of killing Deputy Elijah Ming, is not listed on the KBI’s Public Offender Registry, and some say he should be.

12/14/2024

When local news stations need expert legal commentary, they call on the Law Office of James L. Spies to provide years of experience defending criminal cases.

Body camera video from a fatal shooting by a police officer in Kansas City, Kansas, has been made public nearly two years after the incident took place.

08/01/2022

What's the difference between 23 1/2 years in prison and 22 months in prison? Besides a helluva lot of time, the difference is the attorney who tried the case. My client faced a tremendous amount of time in prison had he been convicted of armed robbery, but he put his trust in The Law Office of James L. Spies, and it paid off. The case proceeded to trial on Monday July 25, 2022, with the State presenting evidence from the victim as well as a ne're-do-well "accomplice" who tried to pin the robbery on our client. When the dust settled, the jury convicted our client of one count of theft and one count of interference with law enforcement - which we CONCEDED in closing argument. The end result is a sentence of less than two years in custody, not 23. Finally, our hats off to the prosecutor who delivered an excellent opening statement and closing argument.

If you are faced with serious criminal charges, you need an attorney who has the experience to take your case to trial and win! If you're charged with a crime, call the Law Office of James L. Spies before it's too late.

04/05/2022

March was a busy and successful month at the Law Office of James L. Spies, as Mr. Spies had two separate second degree murder trials. In early March, Mr. Spies tried a case that resulted in a hung jury in October of 2021. Despite eyewitness testimony that his client shot the victim at close range multiple times in the chest, the jury nonetheless convicted his client of the lesser charged of Voluntary Manslaughter. Rather than facing 50 years in prison, his client is now facing 20 years – a significant difference!

During the last week of March, Mr. Spies tried the high-profile case involving the death of Captain Christopher Arnold of the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s office. The State charged Captain Arnold’s son with Murder in the Second Degree. The jury convicted him of the lesser offense of Involuntary Manslaughter. The end result is likely to be a sentence of time served for the 31 months his client sat in jail during the COVID-19 pandemic waiting for his case to proceed to trial!

While not every case results in an outright acquittal, securing a lesser charge at trial often means the difference between years in prison and freedom. Mr. Spies’ 27 years of trial experience and 100+ jury trials is reflected in his aggressive defense of every client, and the results he obtains in court.

10/05/2021

Yet another trial, yet another victory for the Law Office of James L. Spies! Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree loves to make a big splash in the news when he charges "corrupt" law enforcement officers with a crime. But does he ever make a press release when his office loses these cases at trial? I don't think so...

In January of this year Mr. Dupree held a televised press conference announcing charges against three officers involved in a hit-and-run accident and an alleged cover-up arising out of it. I am ecstatic to announce that my client, Andrew Carver, was acquitted today after a two-day trial in Wyandotte County District Court. In fact, we did not even have to present a defense. The Court granted our motion for judgment of acquittal after the State rested its case. That means the State presented insufficient evidence! Congrats to Andrew, an honest and respected officer committed to the citizens of this community.

08/05/2021

After nearly a year and a half of no jury trials, The Law Office of James L. Spies is back with a vengeance! I jumped right into a Murder in the Second Degree trial for a man who has waited over a year to have his day in court. The jury took only 30 minutes to say NOT GUILTY!!! Justice never rests!

04/05/2021

When local news stations need legal commentary, they turn to The Law Office of James L. Spies!

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/investigations/man-charged-in-deadly-christmas-day-crash-in-kck-has-previous-criminal-record

06/30/2020

Be sure to watch Fox 4 KC tonight at 9 pm for an appearance by yours truly commenting on a possible civil rights violation by a local DA’s office. (original 5 pm time got pushed back to make room for breaking news).

06/20/2019

Do I smell victory in the air? Yes I do! Client was charged with First Degree Premeditated Murder (Life in prison, Hard 50) and Aggravated Battery. A Wyandotte County jury convicted her of Voluntary Manslaughter and acquitted her of the Aggravated Battery. Now she's looking at about seven years in prison instead. BOOM! And better yet, she even proposed a plea offer to Voluntary Manslaughter, which the State rejected.