Johnson County Criminal Defense Blog
by Patrick Lewis
There are few experiences in life like standing in front of a jury and arguing why your client must be set free. It is absolutely exhilerating to hear those words "NOT GUILTY." I have read that fear of public speaking is the number one fear in America. Although I can understand why some people would not enjoy addressing large crowds I have never experienced such a feeling. From the time I was in grade school I found it exciting to attempt to sway a group of people to my way of thinking. From simple childhood arguments to debate at Lawrence High School, there was probably little doubt that I would end up a lawyer.
My college degrees in political science and journalism, with an emphasis on public relations, at Kansas University in Lawrence, only served to deepen my love of persuasive presentation of arguments. A law student learns a little bit about a wide variety of legal topics. Everything from contracts to wills and divorces to water law in in the cirrulum. I quickly realized that the best place to spend my professional life was in the courtroom. Law school taught me how to use evidentiary and procedural rules to my client's advantage. I enjoyed courtroom presentations and arguments so much that after law schoo I went for further education. I earned an advanced degree in Litigation from Emory University in Atlanta Georgia. There, through coursework, trial simulations, and actual representation of clients, I gained the equivalent of several years practice in one very intense year.
I returned home to Kansas and began work with the Public Defender in Wichita. This allowed me immediate and constant exposure to the courtroom. I handled my own clients and cases. I honed my presentation skills and was able to free many individuals from their charges so that they could resume their normal lives. Transfering to Johnson County Kansas in 1993, brought my wealth of knowledge about the courtroom, juries and criminal law to the Kansas City area. I have very happily and successfully defended thousands of clients from Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, and cities all over the Kansas City Metro area.
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