Johnson County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Former Johnson County Prosecutors Defending Your Case in the Same Courts

When you’re facing criminal charges in Johnson County, the attorneys at Garretson & Toth, LLC bring something most defense firms can’t offer: we built cases for the other side. Our attorneys are former Johnson County Assistant District Attorneys and Section Chiefs. We know how the District Attorney’s office constructs its cases because we constructed them. Our office sits directly adjacent to the Johnson County Courthouse, and we appear in Johnson County District Court and in municipal courts throughout Overland Park, Leawood, Shawnee, and Lenexa every day.

Our partners bring over 60 years of combined experience in criminal law and have tried more than 115 jury trials in state and federal courts. Criminal charges in Johnson County can be filed at the municipal, state misdemeanor, or felony level, each carrying different penalties and procedures. The earlier you have defense counsel involved, the more options remain available.

If you’re facing criminal charges in Johnson County, don’t wait. Call an attorney at Garretson & Toth, LLC today for a free consultation at (913) 971-0296 or reach out online. We return all calls the same day.

Comprehensive Defense for All Criminal Charges

Our firm handles criminal matters at the municipal, state misdemeanor, felony, and federal levels. In Kansas, felony offenses are classified in severity levels under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, which set presumptive sentences based on offense severity and criminal history. Kansas drug laws remain among the more aggressively enforced in the region; the state has not decriminalized marijuana possession. Whatever the charge, we build a defense around the specific facts, the applicable law, and what is actually at stake for you.

Types of Cases We Handle

DUI Offenses

First-time DUI
Repeat DUI
Drug-impaired driving
CDL and license implications

Drug Charges

Possession of controlled substances
Possession with intent to distribute
Marijuana charges
Prescription drug offenses

Theft & Property Crimes

Shoplifting
Burglary
Auto theft
Vandalism

Assault & Violent Crimes

Domestic battery
Simple assault
Aggravated assault or battery
Gun charges

Sex Crimes

Sexual battery
Indecent liberties with a minor
Rape charges
Internet sex crimes

White Collar Crimes

Embezzlement
Fraud
Identity theft
Forgery

Federal Criminal Cases

Federal drug offenses
Federal fraud and financial crimes
Federal court representation in Kansas and the Western District of Missouri

Whether you’re charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, our attorneys can step in quickly to protect your rights and build a plan for your defense.

How We Build Your Defense

Every case at Garretson & Toth, LLC is handled directly by a partner. We don’t hand files to associates. From your first consultation through the resolution of your case, you work with an attorney who has decades of trial experience and who knows the Johnson County District Court from both sides of the aisle.

Prosecution Insight Guides Every Defense

Our prosecution background shapes how we approach each defense. As former Johnson County ADAs and Section Chiefs, we know what charging decisions look like from the inside, which means we can identify weaknesses in how the state has assembled its case against you. That work includes examining police reports, assessing the legality of a stop or search under the Fourth Amendment, challenging the admissibility of evidence, and evaluating witness credibility. We work through all of it before we advise you on next steps.

Trial Readiness & Negotiation

Trial readiness isn’t a last resort here. Our founding partners have tried more than 115 jury trials, and we treat the right to a jury trial as a genuine option in every case, not a fallback. A plea agreement is only entered after exhaustive negotiations and after every alternative has been evaluated. We maintain an on-site legal library, private conference rooms, and a full-time administrative staff to support that work at every stage.

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"Thank you!!"
Lannie,
We just wanted to send an extra thank you for everything you have done for us. When I think back to April when we hired you, I never felt any judgement from you — you were very professional. We appreciate how you fought for us to not have to come down to Kansas for any court cases and only to do them via Zoom, how you were able to take S. to the airport so he could get home, all the phone calls/texts to help keep us informed and helping us connect with S. so S. could do the evaluation and have this case dismissed.
We owe you an extra debt of gratitude for all you have done for us and our family, and really do appreciate everything. We will never forget how you helped us during this difficult time and helped get our lives back!!

- S & J
"Tyler was able to achieve the near impossible."
Tyler Garretson Amazing, profesional, clear, and direct are a few ways to describe him. Tyler was able to achieve the near impossible. If you have an important case he is the right attorney for you. He is worth every single dollar. Mr. Garretson, thank you for giving my son his life back, I will be forever grateful. It was not easy, but you did it. He has something that he did not have for a long time: HOPE. Thank you, again.

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Why Johnson County Clients Choose Garretson & Toth, LLC

Choosing the right representation is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make after an arrest. Clients throughout Johnson County choose Garretson & Toth, LLC for reasons that are specific and verifiable.

Direct Partner Representation
Every client is represented by a partner from the initial consultation through resolution. We don’t delegate cases to less experienced attorneys.

Former Johnson County ADA & Section Chief Backgrounds
Our attorneys previously served as Johnson County Assistant District Attorneys and Section Chiefs. That means we understand prosecution decision-making and charging patterns in the same courts where your case can be heard, not just courts like them.

115-Plus Jury Trials
Our founding partners have tried more than 115 jury trials in state and federal courts. When a plea isn’t in your interest, we’re prepared to take your case to a jury.

Recognized Legal Standing
Tyler Garretson is a former President of the Criminal Law Section of the Kansas Bar Association. Our attorneys are consistently recognized as Super Lawyers and hold membership in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

Daily Presence in Local Courts
We maintain a daily presence in Johnson County courts and have built working relationships with local prosecutors and court personnel over more than two decades of practice here.

Same-Day Callback Commitment
We return all client calls the same day. Our full-time in-house staff supports that commitment. You won’t be waiting for answers when the stakes are high.

Garretson & Toth, LLC was established in 2001 and has represented clients facing criminal charges in Johnson County for over 20 years. That continuity of presence in local courts isn’t something a newer or more generalized practice can replicate.

Speak with a Johnson County Criminal Defense Attorney Today

A criminal charge can affect your employment, your housing, and your future well beyond any sentence. Don’t face the Johnson County legal system without counsel who knows it from the inside. We offer free consultations and return your call the same day you reach out.

Contact us today at (913) 971-0296 or schedule your free consultation online. Our attorneys are ready to review your case and can help you understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do Right After Being Charged with a Crime in Johnson County?

Exercise your right to remain silent and contact a criminal defense attorney before making any statements to law enforcement or prosecutors. Statements made before you have counsel can significantly limit your options later. Call Garretson & Toth, LLC at (913) 971-0296 for a free consultation. We return all calls the same day, and early involvement can allow us to address evidence preservation and charging decisions before they become fixed.

Why Does Local Experience Matter When Hiring a Defense Attorney?

Local experience means more than general familiarity with Kansas criminal law. It means knowing the procedures, expectations, and practical timelines specific to Johnson County District Court, understanding how individual judges approach particular charge types, and knowing how local prosecutors handle specific cases. Our attorneys appear in Johnson County courts daily and have built that knowledge over more than two decades of practice in this jurisdiction.

How Does a Former Prosecutor Help My Defense?

A former prosecutor understands how charging decisions are made, what evidence the state prioritizes, and where cases tend to be weakest. Our attorneys served as Johnson County Assistant District Attorneys and Section Chiefs. That experience lets us anticipate the strategies the state is likely to use and identify vulnerabilities in the case assembled against you, whether that means challenging the legality of a stop or search, contesting the admissibility of evidence, or preparing for the specific arguments a local prosecutor is likely to raise at trial.

Does Your Firm Handle Federal Criminal Cases?

Yes. Federal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office rather than the county District Attorney and are governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which differ substantially from state court procedures. Garretson & Toth, LLC handles federal criminal defense in Kansas federal court and in the Western District of Missouri. If your charges have been filed federally, or you have reason to believe they may be, contact us promptly.

How Do I Schedule a Consultation?

Consultations are free. Call us at (913) 971-0296 or reach out through our online contact form. We’ll discuss your situation, answer your questions, and outline what a defense could look like for your specific case. Our goal at the first meeting is to give you clarity on where things stand and what your options are.

Ready to talk? Call (913) 971-0296 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with a Johnson County criminal defense lawyer today.

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Why Do Clients Choose Our Firm?

We Are Dedicated To the Success of Our Clients

We Are Former Prosecutors, Armed With Invaluable Insights
Our Team Is Committed to Obtaining the Best Possible Outcome for Our Clients
We Are Accessible to Our Clients and Will Return All Calls the Same Day
Our Firm Provides a Confidential Free Case Consultations
We Provide a Unique and Specialized Experience for Each Client Facing Criminal Charges
Aggressively Defending Our Clients for Over 60 Years