(It sounds like the rest of the items, while undesirable, are not sue-worthy, so to speak).So ask yourself this -- you have a landlord who is basically not doing what he's supposed to from your vantage point, and you want to sue.

I understand the draw for "The worst town to live in, KS" is all the hootin' & hoolerin' and bullets shot into the refrigerator, the mud, the blood & the beer but what about other less lively places? 

I've had it up to 80 at night to dry drywall mud for the morning.

Something like: "We do not rent to lawyers, law students, drug dealers, <other undesirable but unprotected groups>" How do you phrase your rejection letter to a lawyer and what if that lawyer is also a member of a protected class?

Yes, good lots are hard to find now, there are some around 150k, but are undesirable sloppy lot.

If you think the neighborhood is rough and generally undesirable, that is likely the kind of tenant you are going to be able to attract. 

@david weintraub kids range from early 40s to mud 50s.. there are a few of them from what i can see.

Jude's expansion, the convention center revamp, Pinch and Uptown district improvements, and redevelopment of Mud Island River Park and the riverfront.

Even though they can cash flow, the market demographic can be very undesirable and unstable.

What I find helpful is to outline your qualification criteria (household income 3x times rent, 1 year of continuous employment, a certain credit score, etc.) on the application, that way undesirable tenants can screen themselves by not applying or if you happen to turn down a candidate, you have documentation supporting your case and why you did so.Another point in regards to your "verifiable income for a year question" is: you can have the candidate list employer references, which will allow you to contact their supervisor/manager and ask about their employment status and in this case their employment history.