Kansas City’s Leading Criminal Defense
100+ Not Guilty Verdicts
Type of Cases We Take
How to Choose a Criminal Defense Attorney
It’s important that you take the time to consult with several lawyers before you make your choice. This provides insight into the difference between defense attorneys with law enforcement experience and those without it.
Top criminal defense lawyers in Kansas City all have one thing in common: they started their careers as prosecutors. Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a felony, don’t take a chance on a lawyer who lacks this important background.
Kansas City criminal defense attorney Gregory Watt spent years working in law enforcement and continues to train with the best, so you can rest easy knowing your lawyer is ready for anything.
Regardless of the amount seized by law enforcement, drug charges are serious. Which is why Watt and Young are consistently chosen by those demand the very best.
Kansas City criminal defense attorneys — Gregory Watt and Ali Young — are the top lawyers in this area and have been for years due to their willingness to listen, learn, and rise to occasion in each and every case.
Additionally, Gregory Watt was the first in Kansas City to pioneer two new approaches in this area of criminal defense: 1) He was the first in Kansas City to develop the necessary expertise to directly challenge the crime lab’s own technology; and 2) He broke new ground in the area of K-9 detection by purchasing a K-9 and training alongside one of the nation’s top law enforcement handlers.
If you have been charged with a drug crime, call Watt and Young. They are the strongest and most confident attorneys you will find, no matter how serious your case may be.
Regardless of the relationship — whether it’s a gay, straight, marital, or simply dating — all people experience relationship conflict at some point. If that conflict spirals badly enough, you will, in fact, find the police directly involved in the situation and you will inevitably face charges.
Put simply, domestic violence charges of any kind — misdemeanor or felony — are serious. There are social consequences, as well as legal consequences at play. Which is why Watt and Young are here to help.
Watt and Young bring years of experience to your domestic violence defense. They use all avenues to correct any injustice you may be facing and they are well known throughout Kansas City for stepping in when the stakes could not be any higher. If you want the very strongest attorneys in Kansas City by your side during this time, don’t wait, schedule a consultation immediately.
The cold reality is, success in this area only comes to those attorneys who are willing to step out of their comfort zone and slowly begin building their understanding of DUI/DWI from both a law enforcement perspective, as well as a scientific perspective. In other words, great DUI/DWI lawyers seek out specialized training in order to advance this area of expertise. This approach is one that easily takes over a decade to master, which is why there are so few attorneys in the Kansas City area objectively qualified to handle a DUI/DWI.
When it comes to DUI/DWI, Watt and Young has had more success — and won more trials — than any other firm, because of one simple reality: they are better trained. Compare credentials. You will find they are better trained in standard field sobriety testing, breath testing, blood testing, and how all of these aspects intersect during a DUI/DWI investigation on the roadway.
And finally, science wins cases. Watt and Young have taken the time to master the science so when it comes to presenting your case, they are able to show the Judge and Jury exactly why the science favors your side. For his expertise in forensic science, Gregory Watt is the only lawyer in Kansas City to have earned the designation of “ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist” by the American Chemical Society. There are less than one hundred lawyer in the nation with this title.
Federal criminal cases are complex, high-stakes matters, that require specialized knowledge and outright precision in application of that specialized knowledge. Gregory Watt has extensive experience in federal defense thus making him the first choice when people are facing decades in prison on a federal matter. He skillfully evaluates and negotiates proffer agreements to help clients make informed decisions early in the process. He then carefully calculates federal sentencing guidelines so all parties have a clear understanding of the legal landscape.
In addition, he thoroughly reviews pre-sentence investigation reports to uncover and challenge any errors that could unfairly affect sentencing. He drafts compelling sentencing memoranda that highlight all relevant mitigating factors to properly ensure your voice is heard in court.
Finally, Gregory excels in achieving downward variances at sentencing. By presenting clear, well-supported reasoning to the court, he routinely saves people from unnecessarily high punishment in federal matters. Strength is crucial, especially in federal cases, because it is in these situations the accused is oftentimes facing life in prison.
Property crimes, such as burglary, trespassing, vandalism, or arson, can carry serious penalties and long-term consequences that affect your record, employment, and reputation. If you’re facing these charges, it’s critical to work with a defense attorney who understands how to challenge the prosecution’s case at every angle.
Gregory Watt brings years of experience and courtroom success to property crime defense as a Kansas City criminal defense attorney. He begins by inspecting the evidence: Was there clear intent? Were you properly identified? Did law enforcement follow correct procedures? Every detail matters, and Gregory knows how to use them to your advantage.
Whether you’ve been accused of shoplifting or felony-level burglary, Gregory works to protect your rights, minimize penalties, and secure a favorable outcome. His strategic, evidence-based approach has helped countless clients avoid convictions, reduce charges, or receive alternative sentencing.
When your future is on the line, you need a defense lawyer with confidence, clarity, and proven results. The Watt & Young Law Firm delivers exactly that.
The U.S. Constitution says, in part: “[T]he right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Regardless of your interpretation of that Constitutional guarantee, Judges factor the presence of a gun in every sentencing decision they make.
In other words, when guns are used in the commission of a crime, or even present during the commission of a crime, the stakes are high and the potential consequences are severe. If you are facing a weapons charge, Watt and Young Law Firm is here to defend you.
Every gun crime is different, every gun crime is serious, and everyone who wants the best calls the Watt and Young Law Firm, first.
If convicted, an allegation of rape or sodomy can carry a sentence as bad, or worse, than homicide. When evaluating attorneys in this area, here are a few things to look for: 1) DNA background; 2) Understanding of rape shield law; and, 3) The ability to present expert witness testimony.
Undoubtedly, the highest stakes cases in present day America are sex offenses. The loss of freedom and the reality of being a registered sex offender, if convicted, leave no other option than to hire the best.
Watt and Young Law Firm is nationally known in sex crimes defense due to having the utmost sharpest credentials, as well as the strongest personal presence in the Courtroom.
Self defense law is perhaps one of the most widely misunderstood areas of law in the United States. It takes a deep understanding of firearms, black letter law, and case law to leverage self defense in favor of the accused.
The most important question to ask is whether your lawyer has successfully used self defense to exonerate people in cases similar to yours?
Watt and Young Law Firm has exonerated countless people using this area of law for three reasons: 1) They have a very sophisticated understanding of firearms; 2) They are well known in the firearms community and routinely consult with experts in that community when needed; and, 3) Because their firm has a proven track record of success in this area of law, they are routinely asked to teach other lawyers how to approach these types of cases.
Self defense is an excellent defense, but only when explained to the Judge and Jury with both understanding and passion. Put Watt and Young to work for you when you need the best in this area of law.
“In the face of accusation by the people, an accused has but one person in whom he can confide, his counsel, whose allegiance shall be undivided, his trust uncompromising, and his efforts tireless. Immersed in proceedings far too complex for the unacquainted, the accused blindly places faith in his attorney to protect him at every turn. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that those facing significant restraints on liberty invest whatever resources they have to retain the very best counsel available.”
United States v. Urbana, 770 F. Supp. 1552 (S.D. Fla. 1991)
Defense You Can Count On
Bringing Prosecution Experience To Your Criminal Defense Case
It’s important to not only know your rights—but to know who’s standing beside you. At The Watt & Young Law Firm, we bring vast experience, relentless dedication, and advanced legal training to every case. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony, our team is here to help you navigate court and fight for you every step of the way.



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Explore Our Legal Resources
Review our general guide to police practices and a common-sense approach concerning what to do if an officer stops and questions you.
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- Miranda Rights
- Arrest Warrants
TV shows like to suggest that every case goes to trial. In reality, most end in plea bargains. Let us help you understand what to expect.
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- Different Types of Pleas
- Sentence Hearing Guide
If the police have arrested you or someone you know, or if you expect arrest, understanding the process can lessen the stress and prepare you for what comes next.
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- Step by Step Guide
- Booking & Bail
Defending a drug case involving K-9 detection demands specialized training.
Watt and Young Law Firm are national authorities when it comes to defending cases involving a K-9 and handler. No other law firm in the nation has more hours of police training in this area; therefore, no other law firm has had the the same level of success, either.
Accused of a crime? Get expertise from a former prosecutor!
Gregory doesn’t back down from any fight, in any Courtroom, against any Prosecutor.
“As a prosecutor, I developed a reputation as someone who didn’t hesitate to take a tough case to trial.
Clients of the Watt and Young Law Firm have come to rely on this level of confidence and experience in sorting through the difficulties a criminal matter can present.
The ability to work up a case and convey it to a judge and jury is not something every criminal defense attorney can do or wants to do. Since every prosecutor stands ready, able, and willing to take a case to trial, you should expect nothing less from your own attorney.”
– Gregory Watt


Watt and Young Law Firm In The News
Federal Drug Crimes Defense
As a criminal defense law firm in the Kansas City metro area, we understand that federal drug defense cases can be incredibly complex and require…
Read More
Federal Drug Distribution Defense in Kansas City
Federal Drug Manufacturing Offenses
Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
Why hire a Kansas City trial lawyer?
Charged With a Crime? It’s Not Over
Licensed to practice in Kansas and Missouri, Watt and Young Law Firm is located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri at 700 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO 64105.
If you want nationally known trial lawyers on your team during the toughest time in your life, look no further. The Watt & Young Law Firm brings elite credentials and extraordinary strength to every case, which is why they are called upon to defend the most important cases in the Kansas City area.

If you want nationally known trial lawyers on your team in the midst of the toughest time of your life, look no further.
Simply put, Watt and Young Law Firm brings elite credentials and extraordinary strength to each and every case which is why they are called upon to defend the most important cases in the Kansas City area.
Gregory Watt Featured On the News
Kansas City criminal defense lawyer Gregory Watt has been asked to contribute his opinion on many news stories over the last decade.
KSHB 5, Fox 4 News, Ask The Experts, KMBC — just to name a few — call Gregory Watt for his input on the most significant criminal justice issues of our time. News channels from all over the Kansas City area rely on his input because of his success in and out of the Courtroom, as well as the trust he has established with the people of Kansas City.
Selecting A Criminal Defense Attorney
Gregory Watt appears on “Ask The Expert” with Tana of Fox 4 news.
Gregory Watt discusses the qualifications it takes in order to handle most difficult criminal cases with precision.
At the Watt and Young Law Firm, his team comes together on each and every case with these goals in mind: to bring peace and closure; restore health and wellbeing; and, keep families together.








