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Trenton D. Garza

Trenton D. Garza

Garza Attorney Group, L.C.
  • Estate Planning, Business Law, Domestic Violence ...
  • Missouri
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Biography

Born & raised in rural Missouri, Attorney Trenton Garza brings an unrelenting work ethic into the practice of law. Guided by down-home values sharpened by professional experience, he serves clients' unique needs and simplifies complicated law into easy explanation.

Brought by family to the Texas Panhandle, Trenton attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas. At Baylor, he earned a reputation as an advocate, effecting anti-discrimination policy change and leading a statewide organization. He later represented a local community in school district decision-making, consulted community development groups, and was made a candidate for public office.

Trenton trained under a historic Texas Trial Lawyer and later returned home to Missouri to attend law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. In law school he was an editor of the UMKC Law Review and again demonstrated unparalleled advocacy across numerous organizations. He is the founder of the Garza Attorney Group, L.C.

Practice Areas
    Estate Planning
    Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
    Business Law
    Business Contracts, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
    Domestic Violence
    Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
    Consumer Law
    Gov & Administrative Law
    Election Law, Legislative & Government Affairs
    Personal Injury
    Car Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents
    Insurance Claims
    Bad Faith Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance
    Employment Law
    Employment Contracts
Fees
  • Free Consultation
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Missouri
The Missouri Bar
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Attorney & Counselor at Law
Garza Attorney Group, L.C.
- Current
Legal Assistant
Templeton Smithee Hayes Heinrich & Russell, L.L.P.
-
Education
University of Missouri - Kansas City
J.D.
Honors: Editor, UMKC Law Review | CALI Excellence for the Future Award, State & Local Government Law | Dean's Honor List
Activities: Representative, Chancellor's Advisory Council on Sexual Violence & Gender-Based Harassment | Representative, UMKC School of Law Curriculum Committee | President Pro Tempore, Student Government - Senator, Student Bar Association | Vice President, American Constitution Society | Vice President, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys | Exchequer, Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society | Board of Barristers | Hispanic Law Student Association
University of Missouri - Kansas City Logo
Amarillo College
Professional Certificate | Legal Studies
Honors: Panelist, Symposium on Paralegal Professions
Activities: Legal Aid of Northwest Texas Community Clinic
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Baylor University
B.A. | Political Science & Philosophy
Honors: CDA National Rising Star Award | Dissenter of the Year, Baylor Student Government | Dean's Honor List
Activities: President, Texas College Democrats | Senator, Baylor Student Government | President, Baylor Democrats
Baylor University Logo
Professional Associations
The Missouri Bar
Member
Current
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Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society
Current
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Speaking Engagements
Panelest, Symposium on Paralegal Professions, Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo College
Websites & Blogs
Website
Garza Attorney Group Website
Legal Answers
1 Questions Answered
Q. In the state of Missouri is it legal for a city worker to come into a privacy fenced backyard, when there are no meters
A: Generally, it would not be lawful for a city worker to enter your property without your permission, or to damage your fence. However, there are many circumstances where it is legal for them to enter your property - even against your direction. Having a meter is just one example where a city or utility worker may lawfully enter your property, but there are others such as city code or ordinance enforcement.

A city worker, such as a code enforcement officer, is a government agent subject to certain limitations. Any government agent discovering a code violation, conducting an investigation, or gathering evidence must operate within the limits of the 4th Amendment - namely the prohibitions against unreasonable searches & seizures. An agent entering your or neighboring properties, or observing your backyard is a search.

The legality of the search depends on whether it was reasonable. A search is reasonable if there is an administrative search warrant, or probable cause of an ongoing violation of law. An exception to the warrant requirement is the Plain View Doctrine, which means if there is evidence of a violation observable in plain view then there is probable cause enough to conduct a search without a warrant. What is observable in plain view is pretty broad, and is also determined by whether there was a reasonable expectation of privacy. Having a fence is recognized as establishing a reasonable expectation of privacy, but not a strong one. The US Supreme Court has held that looking through or over a fence, whether chain link or a 10-ft high wood privacy fence, is lawful and anything observed counts towards that plain view doctrine.

So, if a city worker had an administrative search warrant or observed anything indicating the possibility of any violation in plain view, they may have had the lawful ability to enter onto your property directly.
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Contact & Map
Garza Attorney Group, L.C.
108 W. 63rd St. No. 22351
Kansas City, MO 64113
Telephone: (816) 775-1923
Monday: 8 AM - 7:30 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 8 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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