Our Mission

As the Johnson County District Attorney I pledge that my office will doing the following:

• Fairly apply the law to ensure the justice is served for all people;
• Support efforts to promote social justice and equality for all people;
• Hold offenders accountable to ensure a safer community;
• Develop policies that address the needs of the community;
• As “ministers of justice”, act professionally both inside and outside the courtroom;
• Treat victims and their families with compassion and respect;
• Continue to work with our partner agencies to aid victims and their families in obtaining necessary services;
• Work with our law enforcement community to help develop policies that meet the needs of the community and earn the public’s trust;
• Be good stewards of the taxpayer’s money.

Biography

Steve Howe is a native Kansan, growing up in Salina. Steve graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Criminal Justice and Political Science in 1985. Shortly after graduation, he entered Washburn Law School with a goal of becoming a prosecutor. This led to his internships in the office of then Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan and in the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office.

Steve graduated from the Washburn University School of Law in 1988. Following graduation, Steve honed his prosecutorial skills as an assistant district attorney in Shawnee County. Steve's record of performance in Shawnee County led to his becoming an assistant district attorney in Johnson County in 1991, where he prosecuted a myriad of cases touching on virtually all aspects of criminal law. During those 15 years, he supervised several units within the office and was instrumental in the establishment of the office’s consumer fraud/white-collar investigation unit in 2002. He is a widely recognized expert in the prosecution of those who abuse dependent and elder adults and his expertise in this area led to appearances before the Kansas Legislature while spearheading the successful passage of legislation protecting the most vulnerable in our community.

Steve left the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office in early 2007 and entered private practice with The Jones Law Firm in Overland Park, Kansas. Unable to shake his passion for justice, Steve continued to prosecute violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act through civil actions against those who seek to take advantage of his fellow Kansans. In 2008, with 18 years of experience as a prosecutor, scores of prosecutions and over 90 jury trials, Steve successfully ran for and was elected Johnson County District Attorney. After 4 years as District Attorney, Steve ran unopposed in both 2012 and 2016. Steve was re-elected in 2020 and is starting his fourth term. He is continuing to work with law enforcement and partner agencies to provide better services to victims and witnesses.

Steve has spearheaded several legislative changes to help make the people of Johnson County safe.
They include the push for changes to protect older adults and increase penalties for abuse.

In reacting to a U.S. Supreme Court decision, he helped lead a call for a special session of the Kansas Legislature, which helps keep murderers who have received a “Hard 50” sentence behind bars.

Steve and members of his staff take pride on spending time at various public outreach events and fundraisers.  In 2013, Steve was asked to chair a capital campaign to expand Safehome’s domestic violence shelter.  Steve was an active member of MOCSA’s advisory board.  A full list of Steve’s activities are on the “Programs and Initiatives” page.  Steve also speaks frequently to a wide range of public and private groups on a variety of topics.  You can contact Melody Webb, the office’s Public Information Officer, at 913-715-3015 if you would like Steve to speak with your group.

A Johnson County resident since 1991, Steve resides in Lenexa.  Steve raised four children who attended Johnson County schools.