John A. Boyd

I went to law school to be a criminal defense attorney, and I fight to protect my clients' freedom every day.  I have seen first hand how lazy policework and false accusations can ruin lives.  For my clients who may have broken the law, I work hard to protect their rights and to obtain them fair treatment and mercy. I am a former Partner in the firm of Harris Kelsey, Chartered, where I practiced criminal defense law between 2011 and 2024.  I am currently the owner of my own law practice, the Law Office of John A. Boyd, LLC. 

I began practicing with the Johnson County Public Defender’s office, where I represented hundreds of felony defendants on charges ranging from forgery to first degree murder, and won a number of felony jury trials.  My colleagues awarded me the title of "Public Defender Champion" in recognition of my acheivements there.  My jury trial experience has continued in private practice, such as the three murder cases I took to verdict in 2018. I have presented continuing legal education classes to fellow lawyers on domestic violence law and DUI defense, and received the Legal Educator Award for my efforts to improve criminal defense representation for the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

I grew up in Salina, Kansas, and attended Kansas University, where I met my wife, Carri, and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2003.  I received a law degree at the Washburn University School of Law in 2006.  After college, my family moved to Ottawa in 2007 where I joined one of the oldest continuously run law firms in the State of Kansas, Harris Kelsey, which has provided legal services to our community for 150 years.  After 13 years of service with the firm, I decided to open my own law office down the Main Street, still in Ottawa, Kansas.

I am a former President of the Franklin County Bar Association, am former Chairman of the Planning Commission for the City of Ottawa and also a member of the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  I am licensed to practice in all state courts of Kansas as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

I primarily practice in the following Kansas Counties and Courts:

Franklin County District Court, Ottawa Municipal Court, Wellsville Municipal Court;

Douglas County District Court, Lawrence Municipal Court, Baldwin City Municipal Court;

Anderson County District Court, Garnett Municipal Court

Johnson County District Court, Olathe Municipal Court, Leawood Municipal Court, Lenexa Municipal Court, Overland Park Municipal Court, Shawnee Municipal Court, Prairie Village Municipal Court

Miami County District Court, Paola Municipal Court

Coffey County District Court, Burlington Municipal Court

Linn County District Court,

Allen County District Court, Iola Municipal Court 

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