About

About us

Kansas City, MO state & FEDERAL criminal defense ATTORNEYs

 TheBatesMerryman-Logo - THE BATES & MERRYMAN LAW FIRM LLC TheBatesMerryman-Logo - THE BATES & MERRYMAN LAW FIRM LLC

our attorneys are dedicated trial attorneys who will fight for you

The Bates & Merryman Law Firm was born from two friends and colleagues with a passion for the practice of law and a desire to help their community. The Law Firm is based in the heart of Kansas City, MO by two attorneys born and raised in Kansas City, MO. We strive to provide each and every client with the same legal service we would want to receive for ourselves and our family. We pride ourselves on our ability and willingness to go to trial on any case. We have handled thousands of cases all throughout the KC metro area and look forward to the opportunity to work on your case for you. If you have been arrested or believe you may be the target of a criminal investigation, contact the criminal defense attorneys at The Bates & Merryman Law Firm today.

About Our Team

The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC has a singular passion: helping you resolve your legal issue swiftly and successfully. Matthew T. Merryman and Nicholas Bates come from unique backgrounds and diverse experiences and both are committed to providing clients with exceptional legal representation in and out of the courtroom.

Take a closer look at what motivates The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC to work hard on your behalf and why there is no other ally you want by your side when facing legal difficulties.

Two Colleagues on a Single Mission

Attorneys Matthew T. Merryman and Nicholas Bates are friends and colleagues who formed The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC after successful separate legal careers. As Kansas City natives, the attorneys have returned to their common hometown to serve and give back.
Both attorneys got their start in the Missouri Public Defender’s Office, fighting hard for the rights of the most vulnerable. There, they gained valuable courtroom experience that serves them and their clients to this day. This passion for helping those facing difficult legal challenges followed them as they undertook new challenges.

Attorney Merryman’s background includes working on complex litigation including CERCLA (“Superfund”) cost recovery and contribution cases. He also practiced criminal and appellate law as a solo practitioner, representing clients facing state and federal charges. Attorney Bates’ prior practice centered on representing criminal and personal injury clients in Missouri’s courts.

Though their careers took them in different directions, they are united in their unwavering commitment to helping those facing challenging legal circumstances. The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC is equipped with the education, background, experience and passion you and your case deserve. Though their careers took them in different directions, they are united in their unwavering commitment to helping those facing challenging legal circumstances. The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC is equipped with the education, background, experience and passion you and your case deserve.

A Personalized Approach

Some criminal defense attorneys view their role as trying to get their client the most favorable plea deal possible. Whether because they do not have the requisite skills or just don’t want to invest the time, these criminal defense lawyers may pressure their clients into accepting a plea bargain and may have even been former prosecutors themselves.

There are cases that can benefit from a well-negotiated plea bargain. Others, though, have valid defenses or mitigating circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to criminal defense. What works for one client may not work for you. You can rest assured that we will work hard to find the most effective way to address your charges.

As former trial lawyers with the Missouri Public Defenders Office, our attorneys are not afraid to defend you in a courtroom. We know how to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and establish reasonable doubt, and our attorneys understand what it takes to increase your chance of receiving a “not guilty” verdict.

Along the way, The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC will provide you with candid and informed advice about your legal options. We will not pressure you to accept a resolution that is not right for you or that does not align with your desires. We can and will fight aggressively for you at every step in your case. And we have never prosecuted a case in our life and we don’t intend to start now.

Giving Back to the Kansas City Community

Our dedicated criminal defense legal team recognizes the value of service to the Kansas City community. That is why we provide hundreds of hours of pro bono legal services every year, helping ensure that everyone has access to quality legal representation, regardless of income.

Areas We Serve

Our professional criminal defense lawyers can assist clients throughout Missouri. We represent clients in the following counties:

  • Platte
  • Jackson
  • Clay
  • Clinton
  • Cass
  • Ray
  • Lafayette

Not sure whether we serve your county? Give us a call to speak to our team.

You can also find us representing clients in the municipal courts of:

  • Liberty
  • Pleasant Valley
  • Pleasant Springs
  • Harrisonville
  • Claycomo
  • Gladstone
  • Excelsior Springs
  • Kansas City
  • Lee’s Summit
  • Raytown
  • Blue Springs
  • Platte City
  • Lexington
  • Gladstone

For clients in every area we serve, you can count on advocacy that always places your best interests first.

Your Advocates for a Range of Legal Issues

You can face state or federal charges in the greater Kansas City area. State charges are brought by the local elected district attorney and are heard in circuit court. United States attorneys’ offices file and prosecute federal charges, and these charges are heard in federal district courts. No matter which type of charge you face, we are able to help.

State and Local Criminal Charges

Both the State of Missouri and Kansas City area municipalities criminalize certain behaviors. Violating a state statute or city ordinance can lead to a local prosecutor filing charges against you. If the offense violates a local ordinance and happens within Kansas City, the City Prosecutor’s Office will typically file charges, and you will face them in the Kansas City Municipal Court.
On the other hand, if the crime occurred outside city limits or is severe, then the local county prosecutor decides what charges to file. Your case is then heard before a local circuit court judge for the county where the crime happened.
Attorneys Merryman and Bates are admitted to practice in the State of Missouri, which means that they can represent you in any city or circuit court in Missouri. If you are convicted and found guilty, The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC can also represent you before the Missouri appellate courts and challenge your conviction.
And if you are convicted of certain offenses our attorneys can represent you in expungement proceedings.

Federal Charges

Although facing charges for violating federal law is less common, the penalties associated with such crimes are often more severe. Federal prosecutors file these charges in the U.S. District Court that covers the territory where the crime occurred. These U.S. District Courts are scattered throughout the country, including two in Missouri alone. In Kansas City, Missouri federal cases are heard in Charles Evans Whittaker U.S. Courthouse and in Kansas City, Kansas federal cases are heard in Robert J. Dole Courthouse.
Our team can represent clients facing criminal charges in any federal district including the Western District of Missouri, the District of Kansas, the Southern District of Texas, and the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois. We can also represent clients before any federal appellate court including the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. This allows us to represent clients convicted of federal crimes in Missouri and other states on appeal and assist them in challenging their convictions.

Courtroom-Tested Trial Attorneys

Combined, attorneys Merryman and Bates have represented thousands of clients facing all levels of criminal offenses. From minor traffic offenses to sex offenses and other serious violent crimes, you can trust The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC to give your case the same level of professionalism and skill.

The experience our Kansas City criminal defense team brings comes from years of working in state and federal courtrooms. We know how to investigate the unique details of a case and defend effectively against criminal charges because we do it every day. When you retain our services, you receive the benefit of having a seasoned and knowledgeable team on your side.

Turn to The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC Today

From the beginning, attorneys Matthew T. Merryman and Nicholas Bates have focused their practices on helping people obtain justice in state and federal courtrooms. The lessons they have learned over the course of over 10 years and thousands of cases mean that your case will be handled from start to finish by a seasoned defense litigator.
If you have been formally charged with a criminal offense or are the subject of an ongoing investigation, let our passionate and skilled defense team protect your rights and freedoms. We are also your premier choice for personal injury cases. Turn to our team if you are injured in a car accident or other incident.
For representation you can trust, contact us to schedule a consultation today.

MEET YOUR EXPERIENCED TEAM

Passionate About Winning For Our Clients

Attorney

Matthew T. Merryman, Esq.

Attorney

Nicholas Bates, ESQ.