John Burnett - Lawyer in Independence, MO

John Patrick Burnett

DUI and DWI Attorney at Independence, MO

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Resume

Great to work with!

Definitely recommend their services.

About John

Learn John’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

DUI and DWI

45%

Represented hundreds of drivers charged with alcohol offenses. From first offenses to multiple felony cases. Experienced in breathalyzer refusal as well as administrative suspension. Served in MO House during the recent revisions to State Law about DWIs.
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45 years, 999 cases
Speeding and traffic ticket

35%

Traffic court practice since 1978 in all the traffic courts in the Metro KC Area.

45 years, 9,999 cases
Criminal defense

20%

45 years, 999 cases

I have been practicing law since 1978. From 2002 to 2010 I also served in the Missouri House of Representatives. I helped write the DWI laws that are now in effect in Missouri. I was recognized and given an award by the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys for my work on behalf of injury victims during the "tort reform" debates in 2005. I have represented hundreds of injury victims and thousands of drivers in traffic courts. I now practice in Independence Missouri.

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Licensed for 44 years

State MO

Status Good Standing, Active

Acquired 1978

Updated 01/01/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact John

Burnett Law Offices LLC

201 North Spring St

Independence, MO, 64050

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

35 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

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2 Star

1 Star

Posted by anonymous | October 17, 2017

Great to work with!

Mr. Burnett took on a situation that had were steadfast in getting the solution they knew I deserved. Be patient! The process may take time but you will be more than satisfied with the outcome! I feel the price he charged me was more than fair. Thank you Mr. Burnett and your team!

Posted by Brian | July 31, 2017

Definitely recommend their services.

I recently got a ticket for a red light cam. I got this ticket in the mail, contacted John and spoke to him personally - he got my ticket dismissed and I was very pleased. prices are reasonable and I would recommend this firm to anyone. Being a paralegal for over 13 yrs now I know what good service is when I get it. This office was very professional and communicated with me every step of the way.

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Posted by Hillary D | July 28, 2017

Speeding violation ticket

I never had problems with the law before, but after an unfortunate pass on the highway I got a pretty bad speeding ticket. John Burnett was able to solve it. He is very responsive, helpful and he knows his stuff. If you get into a tight spot I strongly recommend talking with John. Thanks again for all your help!

Posted by Phillip Jacobs | July 21, 2017

I appreciate his hard work!

He was great! I was a bit nervous about using a lawyer to fight my moving violations tickets, especially since I found John Burnett randomly online (no referral or recommendations), but when I called him the week before my proceeding, he not only showed up, he also showed out; he didn't even need my testimony to prepare his defense. He did an awesome job and I will definitely use him again for future tickets... better yet, I hope I don't need to use for future tickets, but if another one comes my way, he will definitely be the one I call to represent me.

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Posted by Anthony | April 24, 2017

DUI case

John has been great to work with. I'm currently battling a DUI case coupled with an accident and John has been on top of everything. He keeps me informed throughout the process and answers any questions I may have. Being that this is my first offense, there are a lot of questions to answer. His knowledge and expertise has definitely kept me calm during these high stress situations. I would highly recommend John Burnett should you have any legal issues and in need of someone to be on your side.

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Posted by James Scott | April 18, 2017

Very efficient lawyer

Got a speeding ticket a couple of months ago and had Mr. John taking care of it. He managed to dismiss the case and saving me $500 in fines and a couple of points on my driving license not to mention insurance hike. John did an amazing job behind it! He was very responsible and efficient with all the questions I had during those period. And he constantly keeping me updated with the process. I am very happy with it! Thank you so much!

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Posted by Chris Wayne | April 13, 2017

Speeding ticket

I got a ticket for speeding with a possible 6 point penalty. John Burnett managed to get my ticket dismissed thankfully! John was very easy to work with and kept me in the loop as needed. I didn't have to go to court of set up any special meetings! It was all done via email and one or two calls tops. I will definitely be using John Burnett again (assuming I get into another ticket... Hopefully not soon!) And am highly recommending him to friends and family. You will not be disappointed!

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Posted by William Arnold | April 7, 2017

Speeding ticket

I hired John to help me contest a speeding ticket I received. He was extremely fair, knowledgeable and set the right expectations from the get-go. He kept me informed throughout the process and always responded quickly to my questions/emails. Needless to say, I was thrilled when he emailed me to say my case had been dismissed. Well worth the money!

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Posted by David Thomas | March 30, 2017

Excellent lawyer

I had the unfortunate experience of getting a third DUI and was referred by a friend to John. He was able to get the DUI and all charges dismissed, I couldn't believe it. This was the first time I hired a lawyer for a DUI and wish I had the first and second times, especially if it was John. He doesn't sugarcoat anything or make any guarantees, so you won't have any false expectations, but when decision time comes from the Judge this is the guy you want in your corner. He was excellent in court and carries a very professional demeanor. I can't say enough about having John for representation, he saved me from a lot of time, money, and trouble dealing with the judicial system.

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Posted by George | March 12, 2017

Dui case

I must say I am extremely impressed with John and his ability to work with my case. I was convicted of a dui and I was looking for a lawyer to represent me. He is literally a life saver especially for the situation I was in and where it would put me if I was convicted. I am so happy I was able to find John Burnett and one amazing thing is he follows up just to see how you're doing unlike other lawyers. I would definitely suggest John for any Dui case.

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Posted by Robert | March 9, 2017

Absolutely recommended!

Extremely happy with the outcome of my case. John Burnett was able to reduce my DUI charge to a Wet Reckless, reduce the fees & penalties, and excuse me from community service and jail time. Considering I was involved in a major collision, this is pretty rare and I consider myself very fortunate. John is friendly, genuine, easy to talk to, and he went above and beyond to help me get the best sentence possible. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone I know in need of representation.

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Posted by Raymond | March 3, 2017

Great experience of my DUI case

John Burnett is an amazing attorney. I was facing a DUI and he fought my case until he was able to get the best result. He was always there for me every step of the way. He really cares about your case and treat me more like a friend than a client. He went beyond my expectations. I felt very comforted by his humbleness and down to earth attitude yet still very professional. I loved the fact that he wanted to know and listened to all my concerns. My phone calls and text messages were responded in reasonable timing. He is genuinely concerned and extremely effective at what he does and I was grateful to have him in my corner. I would recommend this lawyer if you are looking for results.

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Posted by Carl | February 21, 2017

Best legal service

I've had my fair share of interactions with a variety of lawyers and there are very few of them that have impressed me with their dedication and determination to go the extra mile to serve their clients. I must say John Burnett was one of those very few attorneys. I reached out to him a week before to schedule an appointment and he responded promptly. John provided us right away with the information and guidance we needed for our two DUI cases. He went the extra mile and worked as a team with our immigration lawyer to ensure my wife and I had the best possible chance to have a successful case. What really stood out to me the most was John's transparency, honesty and expertise. He is not in to take your money, he actually takes the time to build a rapport with his clients and provide them the best service possible.

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Posted by Daniel | February 2, 2017

He helped me right away!

I called Mr. John last minute because I was being charged with a DUI. I was really stressed and needed help right away. John answered the phone and explained my rights and options to me. I was looking at a potential 3-6 month jail sentence. Mr. John fought for me, convinced the judge to give me electronic monitoring/house arrest which allowed me to save my job and my apartment. He even convinced the judge to let me walk my dog twice a day while on house arrest. He was patient, understanding, and charged me a very reasonable fee. Thank you John!

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Posted by Jonathan Walker | January 26, 2017

Made my case painless

Recently, I got a DUI. A lot of stuff comes your way and it seems almost unbearable. I talked to about fifteen different lawyers before finally coming across John. He is a constant professional. He's not going to lecture you on your decisions, he is there to help you through a very confusing and time consuming process, where if you don't know what you're doing, you can end up paying a much worse punishment than you deserve. John made the legal proceedings of my DUI so painless and easy, that it actually helped me get my life back on track faster. I would recommend him to anyone in a similar situation to the one I am now coming out of. In fact, I already have.

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Posted by Jessica | January 19, 2017

Really grateful and pleased!

My husband was pulled over and given a DUI for prescription medication for making a moving violation due to a medical diagnosis called Prion Disease. John Burnett made every effort on our behalf to defend my husband and ultimately was able to get the entire case dismissed. We are so grateful for the prompt response, immediate assistance and guidance John provided us and cannot thank him enough for his relentless work in ensuring dismissal. In six months, we barely had to lift a finger and was provided regular and ongoing updates as needed. We never even had to appear in court. It was the most distressing experience for my husband to get this untenable violation, however, John did a superior job of defending my husband and making us feel we were in the most secure hands. We are so pleased with his hard work in ensuring the prosecution drop the case and provided the needed justice we felt my husband deserved.

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Posted by Allison | January 16, 2017

Positive experience

My experience with John Burnett was a very positive one. I talked with him about my Dui case and he gave me great advice about my situation before I even hired him. He made the process smooth and easy. He answered any questions that I had promptly and handled my case in a matter of a few weeks. I must say I am extremely satisfied with the outcome and cannot thank John enough. I will definitely seek John’s help in the future.

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Posted by George | January 12, 2017

I truly appreciate the efforts!

From our first phone call John instilled confidence in me when I was feeling the most frightened and hopeless. As this was my first dui, I appreciated having someone to walk me though every piece of paperwork and meeting so that I didn't miss anything or let the state take advantage of my unknowingness. He was honest and always available answer my questions. His approach is to not just to attempt to fight down the charges against you with technicalities, but to show the court that your character has improved because of this event. I very quickly felt like I was in good hands. I truly appreciate all his work and dedication from bottom of my heart.

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Posted by Jason | January 9, 2017

Handled my case with good approach

I was in much fear of dealing with my DUI but from the second I called the office it was nothing but good energy. John was also able to simultaneously take care of a bench warrant I had due to me previously not complying with the courts orders. I feel the price was affordable for a dui lawyer and according to the situation and he goes above & beyond for you. Will definitely be calling up John for whenever I got an issue again & will recommend to friends!

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Posted by Richard | January 6, 2017

Best possible outcome for my case!

This was my first experience with an attorney for Criminal defense. I picked him after talking to several attorneys regarding my case. John gave me the most no-nonsense breakdown of my options and possible outcomes while maintaining a very positive attitude. Throughout the case he maintained this attitude while navigating several setbacks that we faced. I commend him on his work ethic as he never slacked off or took the easy route. He was available during weekends and after hours when I needed him. The end result was the best possible outcome for my case. I am happy to recommend John Burnett to anyone that runs into any unexpected trouble.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.9 (Superb)

Work Experience

Owner
Burnett Law Offices LLC
2014 - Present

Partner
Burnett Evans Banks, LLC
2010 - 2014

State Representative
Missouri House of Representatives
2002 - 2011

Education

University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1978

Penn Valley Community College
N/A

University of Missouri, Kansas City
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A

Legal Cases

Carol Mann v NFI
Six figure settlement during appeal

Associations

Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
1981 - Present

Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
Member
1980 - Present

American Association for Justice
Member
1978 - Present

Missouri State Bar Association
Member
1978 - Present

View all associations

Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2018

Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Missouri for 2018
The American Society of Legal Advocates
2018

Lead Counsel Rating in Drunk Driving Defense
Lead Counsel
2015

Champion of Justice
Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
2007

View all awards

Publications

Journal of the Missouri House
House Bill No. 437 MIssouri House of Representatives
2007

Speaking Engagements

Missouri State Bar Association
Legislative Update
2017

Missouri State Bar Association
Missouri Bar Legislative Update
2016

Attorney endorsements

Received (13)

Given (34)

Endorse John

Cameron Cooper

DUI and DWI Attorney | Jan 12
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"John has a few decades of experience in criminal defense, DWI, and traffic matters. He knows how to get results in all state and municipal courts in the Kansas City area. If you talk to John about your problem, he absolutely will know what you need. He and I have worked opposite each other on DWI matters, but now work cooperatively on the same side, so now I have a greater understanding of the depth of experience that he brings to the table, and exactly why everyone in the area respects him so highly. I have never met anyone who knows him who couldn’t say good things about him. You want John on your case."

Joshua Dale

Speeding and traffic ticket Attorney | Sep 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is an exceptional lawyer. I would trust him with my own legal needs."

David Hinken

Unknown Attorney | Sep 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is an excellent attorney and a wealth of DWI and Traffic knowledge."

Howard Hoyt

DUI and DWI Attorney | May 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have know John for thirty years or so. He knows his way around the courtroom. He knows prosecutors as well. He knows how to practice law."

Paemon Aramjoo

Criminal defense Attorney | Apr 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I had the pleasure of meeting John while handling a municipal court matter. He took the time to help answer questions and ensure that there was no confusion. I can only imagine that he would do the same for all his clients."

J. Denise Carter

DUI and DWI Attorney | Apr 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer.john is well respected and competent attorney."

Nicholas Dudley

Speeding and traffic ticket Attorney | Mar 27
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"John is the best lawyer on all types of municipal cases in the city. He has mentored me from the beginning of my career, and his advice has proven invaluable to me and his clients over the years."

Susan Bond

Personal injury Attorney | Dec 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known John professionally for many years. He is well known and highly respected in the legal community, he is an excellent attorney and involved in bettering the community as well as the legal field. John is an outstanding attorney and I highly recommend him and his team."

Paul Davis

Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. John is a seasoned criminal defense attorney. He is knowledgeable and understands the system."

James Bell

DUI and DWI Attorney | Dec 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. not only does john get great results on dwi cases but he also handles all types of traffic matter will excellent results. he is also an accomplished personal injury lawyer."

John Boyd

Workers compensation Attorney | Dec 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is a friend of our office and is one of the most giving and generous lawyers I have had the personal pleasure of meeting. His time serving in the Missouri Legislature was an invaluable service to all Missourians, and he is a veteran of the armed services as well. I am proud to call him a friend and colleague."