Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Springfield

John grew up in Polk County, Missouri, and graduated from Bolivar High School in 1987. He received his undergraduate degree from Southwest Baptist University in 1992 and his Juris Doctorate from the Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1995.

John’s primary areas of private practice were Family Law and Criminal Law until he was elected as Polk County Prosecuting Attorney in 1998. He served as the elected prosecuting attorney in and for Polk County until February of 2006 when he was appointed by Governor Matt Blount to serve as Associate Circuit Judge for Polk County. John chose not to seek reelection in 2022 and re-entered private practice with Cole & Martin, LLC in 2023. John’s areas of practice primarily involve family law cases including dissolutions of marriage, modifications, paternity actions, and criminal defense.

John is married to the Honorable Jill Porter who is in her second year as one of two Associate Circuit Judges in Polk County. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters to go along with their three dogs.

Education:

• Bolivar High School class of 1987
• Southwest Baptist University class of 1992
• Oklahoma City University School of Law - Juris Doctorate class of 1995