Carl Folsom

Partner

Location: Lawrence, Kansas

Phone: 785-371-4146

Fax: 888-886-6932

E-mail: E-mail Me

Before joining Bell Folsom, Carl Folsom worked for several years at the Kansas Appellate Defender Office in Topeka, Kansas. In that position, Mr. Folsom represented indigent criminal defendants on their appeals from felony convictions. He also handled cases that involved post-conviction collateral attacks, such as appeals from K.S.A. 60-1507 proceedings and appeals from motions to correct illegal sentence. Mr. Folsom has won many reversals of criminal convictions and sentences, both on direct appeal and on appeal from the denial of a K.S.A. 60-1507 motion.

As a Kansas Appellate Defender, Mr. Folsom handled nearly every type of felony case, from meth manufacturing offenses to first-degree murder cases. In 2007, he became a member of the office’s Jessica’s Law team after he litigated the first constitutional challenge to Kansas’ Jessica’s Law sentencing scheme. He also became well-versed in the constitutional and statutory law applicable in self-defense cases and in drug cases.

At Bell Folsom, Mr. Folsom’s practice is dedicated to criminal defense work. He currently represents clients on trial work and on appeals, in both state court and federal court. Mr. Folsom also maintains an active interest in the broader issues relevant to the criminal justice system. He is a member of the Legislative Committee of the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where he helps draft testimony on criminal law bills in the Kansas Legislature. He is also an active blogger on new and unique criminal law issues that are relevant to Kansas lawyers.

Carl is recognized throughout the region for his knowledge of criminal law. He is often sought out by other attorneys for help on particularly complex legal issues. He has taught other criminal defense lawyers numerous times at conferences regarding sex crimes and constitutional trial rights. Carl is also often appointed to represent indigent defendants before the Kansas Supreme Court in especially novel or complicated appeals. As a continuing legal education liaison with the Appellate Section of the Kansas Bar Association, Carl also helps to plan educational events for other attorneys. Carl makes his home in Lawrence, where his heart is broken alternatively by the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Jayhawk football.
Carl was recently Rated by Super Lawyers as one of the top 5% practicing lawyers in Kansas

Areas of Practice

Criminal Law

DUI/DWI

Litigation & Appeals

Bar Admissions

Kansas

U.S. District Court District of Kansas

U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri

U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Associations and Memberships

Douglas County Bar Association
Douglas County Criminal Defense Bar Association
Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Co-CLE Liaison, Appellate Section of the Kansas Bar Association
Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court