816-451-0909

Johnson County Kansas

Johnson County, Kansas

Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Johnson County, Kansas

Facing criminal charges in Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, or anywhere in Johnson County? The Hartley Law Firm is licensed in Kansas and fights for clients across the state line every week.

Book a Free Consultation Or call now — 816-451-0909

Overview

Johnson County is the most populous county in Kansas and home to some of the busiest criminal courts in the Kansas City metro. With a population exceeding 600,000, the Johnson County District Court in Olathe handles a high volume of felony, misdemeanor, DUI, drug, and domestic violence cases every day.

The Hartley Law Firm is licensed to practice in both Kansas and Missouri, which means we handle cases on both sides of the state line. When you're charged in Johnson County, you get the same attorney — Alec Hartley — who handles your case from start to finish.

Courts We Appear In

Johnson County Courts

  • Johnson County District Court (150 W Sante Fe St, Olathe) — Handles all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, DUI/DWI, and protection orders for the county.
  • Overland Park Municipal Court — Handles city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and misdemeanors within Overland Park city limits.
  • Olathe Municipal Court — City-level criminal and traffic matters for Olathe residents and incidents.
  • Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, and other municipal courts — We appear in municipal courts throughout the county for misdemeanor, DUI, and traffic defense.

Cases We Handle in Johnson County

Kansas criminal law differs from Missouri in important ways — different statutes, different sentencing guidelines, different diversion programs, and different court procedures. Having an attorney who understands these differences is critical. We handle the full range of criminal charges in Johnson County, including:

Practice Areas

  • DUI Defense — Kansas DUI laws carry mandatory jail time even for first offenses. We challenge field sobriety tests, breathalyzer results, and the legality of the traffic stop.
  • Drug Crimes — Possession, distribution, trafficking, and paraphernalia charges under Kansas statutes. Kansas drug penalties can be more severe than Missouri's for certain offenses.
  • Assault and Domestic Violence — All levels of assault, battery, domestic violence, and protection order violations.
  • Theft and Property Crimes — Shoplifting, burglary, criminal damage to property, and theft of all levels.
  • Weapons Charges — Criminal possession of a firearm, aggravated assault with a weapon, and weapons enhancements.
  • Traffic Offenses — Driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, fleeing and eluding, and other serious traffic matters.
  • Diversion Programs — Johnson County offers diversion for certain first-time offenders. We help clients determine eligibility and navigate the application process.

Key Differences Between Kansas and Missouri Criminal Law

If you've previously dealt with the criminal justice system in Missouri, Kansas will feel different in several important ways:

What's Different in Kansas

  • Sentencing guidelines — Kansas uses a structured sentencing grid based on crime severity and criminal history. Missouri uses broader statutory ranges with more judicial discretion.
  • DUI penalties — Kansas imposes mandatory jail time for first-offense DUI (48 hours minimum). Missouri does not require mandatory jail for a first DWI.
  • Diversion availability — Johnson County has well-established diversion programs for first-time offenders that can result in charges being dismissed entirely. Eligibility and terms differ from Missouri's SIS/SES options.
  • Expungement rules — Kansas expungement eligibility, waiting periods, and qualifying offenses are different from Missouri's expungement statute.

Cities We Serve in Johnson County

We represent clients from across Johnson County, including Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Prairie Village, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Fairway, Roeland Park, Gardner, DeSoto, Spring Hill, and Edgerton. No matter where in the county your case originates, we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is diversion in Johnson County?
Diversion is a program offered by the Johnson County District Attorney's Office and municipal courts as well for certain first-time offenders. If you complete the program requirements — which may include community service, counseling, and restitution — the charges are dismissed and you avoid a criminal conviction on your record. Not every charge qualifies, and the prosecutor's office has discretion on who is offered diversion.
How is a Kansas DUI different from a Missouri DWI?
Kansas DUI carries mandatory minimum jail time even for a first offense (48 hours), while Missouri first-offense DWI does not require mandatory jail. Kansas also has an administrative license suspension process through the Kansas Department of Revenue that runs separately from the criminal case. The timelines and procedures for challenging a license suspension are different from Missouri's, making it important to have an attorney who knows both systems.
Where is the Johnson County courthouse?
The Johnson County District Court is located at 150 W Santa Fe Street in Olathe, Kansas. This is where all felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, DUI cases, and other criminal matters are heard for the county.
Can I get my Kansas criminal record expunged?
Kansas does allow expungement of certain criminal convictions, but the eligibility requirements, waiting periods, and qualifying offenses differ from Missouri's expungement statute. We can review your record and advise you on whether your Kansas conviction qualifies for expungement.
How does Kansas sentencing work?
Kansas uses a structured sentencing grid that determines your presumptive sentence based on two factors: the severity level of the offense and your criminal history score. This is different from Missouri, where judges have broader discretion within statutory ranges. Understanding where your case falls on the grid is essential to evaluating plea offers and trial strategy.

Charged with a Crime in Johnson County?

Don't wait. Call The Hartley Law Firm today for a free consultation with an attorney who is licensed in Kansas and practices in Johnson County courts every week.

Book Your Free Consultation Or call now — 816-451-0909