Attorney James P. Deffet

When you’ve been seriously injured due to another person or company’s negligence, or are facing Missouri state felony or misdemeanor charges, you need an experienced attorney. The lawyer you hire to represent you should not only have a long track record of success in their fields of practice, but also be someone you can trust with your most sensitive information, and who cares enough about your situation—and you as a person—to work to resolve your case in a way that actually improves your life. Fortunately, that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Law Offices of James P. Deffet LLC.

From Personal Injury to Criminal Defense in Missouri, I’m Here to Help

I’m Jim Deffet, a longtime personal injury and criminal defense attorney based in beautiful Smithville, Missouri. My deep-seated commitment to helping others when they need it the most is what drove me to be the first person in my family to become a lawyer (though not the last—my brother, Timothy J. Deffet, deftly handles Illinois personal injury and workers’ compensation cases). Whether you’re considering pursuing compensation for injury-related losses or need a skilled attorney to mount a vigorous defense against criminal accusations or charges in Missouri, my firm may be able to assist you.

Education, Background, and Insight

Here’s what you should know about my background: I graduated from Drake University Law School in 1993 and, in the years since, I’ve had the privilege of working as a city and state prosecutor, defending insurance companies in litigation and, my true passion, seeking justice for personal injury victims and criminal defendants. In my career, I’ve tried cases in city, state, and federal courts, as well as in state and federal courts of appeals, and before the United States Supreme Court.

My past work as a prosecutor and defense attorney for big insurers provides me with exceptional insight from both sides of the aisle. I know how insurance companies and prosecutors operate, how they think—and, most importantly, I know what it takes to successfully represent clients against them. I’m ready to put my knowledge and experience to work for you. I personally handle each case from start to finish, so you never have to worry about your vital legal matter being handed off to an inexperienced paralegal or associate.