HPF City Defense · Wichita Municipal Court
YOUR DEFENSE.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Hartenstein Poor & Foster LLC is contracted to serve as City Public Defender in the Municipal Court of the City of Wichita. If the court has appointed us to your case, you’ve got a full team of experienced criminal defense lawyers in your corner — the same people who handle more drug, alcohol and criminal defense work than anyone in Sedgwick County.
RULE #1: DON’T MISS COURT.
If you show up, we can solve almost any problem. Write down your case number and court date and keep them with you.
HERE’S THE THING.
WE SEPARATE THE PERSON FROM THE PROBLEM.
Nobody ends up in municipal court because things are going good. A traffic stop went sideways. An argument got out of hand. A bad night turned into a charge. We don’t define anyone by their worst day.
Municipal cases carry real consequences: fines, jail time, and outcomes that can affect your job, your driving privileges and your right to own a firearm. We handle every case with compassion, seriousness and professionalism, and we fight for the best possible outcome.
We also know the court date isn’t the whole story. As part of HPF’s trauma-informed, multi-disciplinary practice, we can point you toward community resources for recovery, mental health, employment and housing, and help you look ahead to things like driver’s license reinstatement and expungement.
GETTING A CITY PUBLIC DEFENDER.
HOW APPOINTMENT WORKS.
We can only represent you after the court appoints us. We can’t give advice or take your case before that happens.
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GO TO YOUR HEARING.
Appear at your scheduled court date. Every courtroom gives you the chance to ask the judge for a court-appointed attorney.
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ASK & APPLY.
Ask the judge for a public defender and fill out the financial affidavit you’re given. Qualification is based on income.
WHO’S MY LAWYER?
We work as a team. Instead of one attorney, you’re represented by our whole City Public Defender group, and you might see different lawyers from our team at different hearings. Every one of them knows your case and is working on it.
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COURT APPROVES.
If the judge signs off, you’ll receive our contact information. Your court documents will show that our office has been appointed.
WHAT IF THERE’S A CONFLICT?
Sometimes we can’t ethically represent someone, for example if we already represent another person in the same incident. When that happens, an independent, highly qualified conflict attorney will be appointed and you’ll be given their contact information.
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CONNECT WITH US.
Call us to get on our calendar. We’ll also try to reach you by phone, so make sure we have a number that works.
does it cost anything?
When your case is resolved, the court may order a fee to reimburse the City of Wichita for the cost of appointed counsel. That’s separate from any fines, court costs or lab fees. For what you owe, check with the Municipal Court Clerk.
WORKING WITH US.
YOUR FIRST MEETING & YOUR PART.
WHAT TO BRING.
Every piece of court paperwork you have, including your citation, notices and bond papers
Your case number and next court date
Proof of insurance, if your case involves driving
Medical records that relate to the case
Photos, videos, texts or messages that relate to what happened
Anything showing you didn’t do what you’re accused of, such as receipts, timecards or names of witnesses
Bring copies and keep your originals. First meetings are about 30 minutes; if we need more time, we’ll schedule a follow-up. Phone or video meetings may be available. Just ask when you call.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU.
Keep your phone number, address and email current with us. If we can’t reach you, we can’t help you.
Know your court dates. You are responsible for being at every hearing, on time.
Call early. We schedule appointments first-come, first-served. Contact us well before your court date, and at least one week before any trial.
Tell us everything. The good, the bad and the parts you’d rather not say. What you tell us stays confidential.
CAN MY FAMILY CALL YOU?
Yes, family members are welcome to call, and they’re welcome to come to meetings and court with you. We can share basic scheduling information like dates and times. But we cannot discuss the details of your case with anyone, including parents or spouses, unless you give us permission. If you want us to talk with someone, let us know and we’ll have you sign an authorization.
COURT DAY.
SHOW UP READY.
Our lawyers are in the municipal courtrooms every day, and our office is on the 3rd floor of Wichita City Hall.
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress like it matters, because it does. Business or business-casual is best.
Not allowed in the courtroom: shorts, short skirts, tank tops, revealing clothing or hats.
Phones & devices
You can’t take a cell phone or any recording device into the courtroom. There is a desk where you can check them while you’re in court.
HOW TO ACT
Be on time, be polite and be patient. Court can take a while. If you can, arrange childcare so you can focus on your case.
MISSED COURT? POSSIBLE WARRANT?
Don’t hide from it. Act within 24 hours.
STEP ONE: CALL US RIGHT AWAY.
Contact the City Public Defender office or stop by our office on the 3rd floor of City Hall. The sooner we hear from you, the more we can do.
STEP TWO: WALK-IN DOCKET.
Walk-in dockets are held Monday through Thursday at 1:00 p.m. This is usually how a warrant for a missed date gets addressed. Plan to be there. More information on the walk-in docket can be found here.
STEP THREE: BRING PROOF.
Bring written proof of why you missed. Courts generally accept serious reasons, such as hospitalization or being held in another jail. Transportation trouble, oversleeping or forgetting usually aren’t enough.
Need to move a court date?
Call us as early as possible. Only the judge can grant a continuance. Your lawyer can ask, but can’t promise it. You are expected at every hearing unless the court says otherwise. If you’re facing a true emergency, like a medical crisis or hospitalization, let us know immediately so we can help.
WHO TO CALL?
US, OR THE COURT CLERK?
Rule of thumb: questions about money and paperwork go to the clerk. Questions about your case come to us.
CALL THE MUNICIPAL COURT CLERK
How much do I owe?
Making payments on fines and costs
Turning in a diversion application or other filings
Looking up docket and courtroom information
CALL US
What am I charged with, and what could happen?
Can I get diversion? Should I take a plea?
Am I having a trial?
I missed court or think I have a warrant
I need to move my court date
STRAIGHT ANSWERS.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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It’s on your court paperwork. Municipal Court is held at Wichita City Hall. If you’ve lost your paperwork, us the court’s case lookup (see Resources below), call the Municipal Court Clerk, or call us.
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Your court documents will show that the City Public Defender has been appointed. If you’re not sure, call our office.
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Not as your lawyer. We can only represent you after a judge appoints us. Go to your hearing and ask the judge for a public defender.
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Cases in Wichita Municipal Court are prosecuted by the City of Wichita. Don’t talk to the prosecutor about your case. Let your lawyer do that.
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Diversion is an agreement with the City of Wichita that lets you complete certain conditions, like classes, treatment, or community service, over a set period. If you finish successfully, the charge is dismissed. Not every case or person qualifies, and applications have deadlines. Ask us whether it’s an option for you before you apply.
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Don’t decide until you’ve talked to us. A plea can affect your record, your license, your job and your rights. We’ll walk you through the evidence, your options and the likely outcomes so you can make an informed choice. It’s your decision, and we’ll make sure it’s an educated one.
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Most cases resolve before trial, but you always have the right to one. If your case is set for trial, you need to meet with us at least one week before the trial date so we can prepare together.
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In many cases, yes. Municipal court decisions can be appealed to the Sedgwick County District Court, but the deadlines are short and strict. If you’re thinking about an appeal, call us immediately after sentencing.
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It depends on the charge, your history and the facts of your case. Some municipal offenses carry mandatory penalties. We’ll give you a straight answer about what’s realistic once we’ve reviewed your case.
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No. Only the judge can continue a case, and everyday problems aren’t usually accepted as good reasons. Plan ahead: set reminders, line up a ride and arrive early.
RESOURCES.
HELPFUL LINKS
Court tools, plus community partners for the parts of life the law alone can’t fix.
STAY CONNECTED.
MAKE SURE WE CAN
REACH YOU.
If you’ve been appointed to our office, send us your current contact information so we can reach you about your case. Moved or got a new number? Update it here.
Call: (316) 221-3122
Visit: By Appointment Only