Zach Thomas, Attorney at Law

10/02/2021

I had an absolute blast playing in the Association for Women Lawyers golf tournament yesterday. Thanks for a great time!

09/08/2021

Olathe is lucky to have officers like Officer Hardman. Thank you Officer!!!

Even off duty, officers continue to protect and serve. Well done Officer Hardman.

09/01/2021

Our community lost a young and enthusiastic police officer this week. Officer Castro, his family, friends, and the Overland Park police department are all in my prayers. I’m so sorry for your loss.

05/03/2021

Mike was a damn good cop but an even better person.

03/25/2021

I don’t think Hobbs is going to last long at the firm with these kinds of work habits. (The picture doesn’t include his snores either)

03/24/2021

Happy to report the law firm is growing. I have added a temporary guard dog to the office. He’ll be here till Sunday. Stop on by and say hi to Hobbs!!!

03/02/2021

Do you know someone who is over the age of 65 who has not received the COVID vaccine? Hy-Vee has entered the fray. They currently have open appointments. Just click below to see what's available. As of this post, the Olathe location had openings.

Experience the very best customer service from your Hy-Vee Pharmacy. Conveniently fill out a vaccine consent form where you already love to grocery shop.

09/07/2020

I wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day! Special thanks to our armed forces and first responders who are tasked with working regardless of holidays. THANK YOU!

08/19/2020

We can't sit idle while the rest of the country moves forward with new ways of prosecution. The need for adaptation is not and should not be considered political. Sadly my opponent disagrees. This movement, to address the underlying issues troubling so many within the incarcerated population, is based upon evidence and facts. That's why this is a bipartisan approach used by both Democrats and Republicans all across the country; however, more importantly, all across Kansas.

It's time we remove politics from the prosecutor's office. It's time Johnson County moves forward along with the rest of the country. It's time for change. Vote for me in November and together, we'll pave a better way forward for Johnson County.

I talk a lot about Mental Health Court and Drug Court. But some of you might be asking, "What are Mental Health and Drug Courts, and why do we need them here in Johnson County?"

Mental Health and Drug Courts are non-adversarial, problem-solving courts. In place of a courtroom battle, a Drug/Mental Health Court Judge works directly with defendants and health workers to order treatments that aim to solve the underlying health problem that drives the negative behaviors. The judge is empowered to reward success and punish failures, and the defendant is held accountable. But because the lawyers are removed, the process is efficient and productive, and aimed toward rehabilitation.

(Nothing against my profession, but if you’ve ever heard two lawyers argue, you know that it’s not always the most productive use of time.)

Our court system was terribly backlogged, even before COVID. Now we’re 100 jury trials behind, according to recent testimony by District Court Administrator Katherine Stocks. Slow justice is a growing problem, and the pandemic has only made it worse. During our conversations with local community members, my team met a woman whose son was murdered. One of the suspected conspirators was released on bail, and more than a year later, that conspirator still hasn’t faced trial.

While it isn’t unusual for a murder trial to take more than a year, imagine the anguish of the family of a victim of violent crime who must wait for justice behind a backlog of lesser crimes like drug possession.

We need A Better Way Forward. Since Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts are “problem-solving” courts, whose purpose is to operate independently of the prosecutor, these courts will help to free up prosecutor time, jail space, and money for dealing with serious offenders. That money can also be put toward further rehabilitation efforts, creating a deep reduction in repeat offenses, and creating a net savings of around $6000 per participant, according to a recent Department of Justice study.

Mental Health and Drug Courts have broad, bipartisan support nationally and locally. For example, Hays, Kansas has a drug court that was seeded by federal grant money obtained by Senator Jerry Moran. Why not Johnson County?

Spread the word - It’s time for Johnson County to catch up with the 3000 districts throughout the country who have already implemented Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts. It’s time to create an efficient, modern justice process, aimed at accountability and rehabilitation for low-level offenders. It’s time to free up prosecutor time and attention to focus upon the most serious crimes, and shrink the backlog of cases to bring closure and justice to the families of victims. Tell your friends - it’s time for A Better Way Forward.

05/13/2020

Thoughts and prayers to the Mosher Family as well as the entire Overland Park Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 21 family. 💙🖤💙

Today, thousands gather to pay their respects to a fallen hero.

Officer Mike Mosher's service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. His dedication to ensuring a better quality of life for not only those he worked alongside, but also for those he served will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

We continue to stand beside the men and women of the Overland Park Police Department as they prepare to lay to rest their colleague and friend. Please take a moment this morning to say a prayer for the family and friends of Officer Mosher and all those impacted by this tremendous loss to not only the City of Overland Park, but Johnson County as a whole.

Rest in Peace, #917.

05/10/2020

I would like to wish my mom, and all other mother’s a very special and happy Mother’s Day!