Dan Boyle Wants to Fully Dedicate Himself to Florissant

Personal Information

Name: Dan Boyle

Patch: Tell us about your educational background.
Dan Boyle: I graduated from the Washington University School of Law in 2001.  In 1996, I completed my undergraduate studies at Greenville College in Greenville, IL, with a degree in Business Administration.  Prior to that, I attended Ferguson-Florissant public schools and graduated from McCluer North High School in 1992.

Patch: What can you tell us about your family?
Boyle: My parents are Patrick O. and Jane Boyle. I have one sister, Laura Stevens. She and her husband, Kurt, have four daughters. I enjoy spending time with my wonderful nieces.

Patch: Can you tell us about your current position?
Boyle: My father and I have a private practice of law together, the Boyle Law Firm, LLC, located in Old Town Florissant. I am on the board of directors for several local organizations including North County Incorporated, Florissant Valley Sheltered Workshop and the Florissant Parks Foundation. I am an active member of Florissant Old Town Partners, acting as co-chair of the Wednesday Night Out.   I also co-chair the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce. 

Candidate Information

Patch: What made you decide to run for Florissant municipal court judge?
Boyle: One of the reasons I attended law school was because I was interested in one day serving as a judge. I want to use my education and training to give back to our community as your elected judge. While serving as the Florissant provisional judge, I was able to see firsthand how my efforts could help to improve this community.

Patch: What would you do differently from late Judge Tim Kelly?
Boyle: Tim Kelly was a public servant for many years. He found ways to be a good judge and to stay involved with the community, such as by serving as a coach for countless youth sports teams. He looked for ways to manage more serious crimes and to keep youth out of trouble. As the Florissant judge, I would continue those efforts. I would also update the courts with more use of technology and review the various court dockets and settings and make adjustments, as necessary, to address the current needs of the community.  I would bring new energy and a different perspective to the courts given my experience and background. 

Patch: What is your level of experience as it relates to the position?
Boyle: I served as the provisional judge for Florissant from August 2006 until April 2011. As provisional judge, I handled the largest municipal court docket in St. Louis County. During that time, I decisively presided over every type of docket in the city of Florissant, and successfully managed those dockets that were assigned to me by the elected judge. In my capacity as provisional judge, I observed ways to improve the efficiency of the court to make it work more effectively. During my four years as provisional judge, I received nothing but positive feedback as to how the court was handled.

Patch: What sets you apart from your opponent, Kevin Kelly?
Boyle: I am focused on Florissant. This is the community in which I have invested my time and efforts to do what I can to help improve the community through service in various organizations. I am invested in Florissant as my place of business is located in this city. Florissant is the only municipality for which I am seeking to be judge. Thus, I will have the availability to meet the scheduling demands of this position. I have served as the provisional judge in Florissant for the past several years and am familiar with the dockets and the community. If elected, I will continue to maintain my full-time law practice in Florissant and look for ways to expand my contribution back to this city.

Patch: What’s your top priority as Florissant municipal judge?
Kelly: My top priority is to maintain the independence of the judicial branch of Florissant. The city council writes the laws, and the mayor, through the police and the prosecutor, enforces the laws. When you or your family members come before the court, you want to know that you will receive a fair hearing under the law. As the judge in this city, I would make sure the courts are run in a fair and impartial manner.

Patch: How would you enhance the judicial system of Florissant?
Boyle: I would move to modernize the courts and reduce the amount of paperwork involved in the process. I will review all court dockets to make sure that they are run efficiently and that they are meeting their stated purpose. Finally, I would move problem properties through the courts and do so in more expedient manner.

Patch: Why should residents vote for you?
Boyle: For the next judge of Florissant, the community deserves a public servant focused on Florissant, a judge who has invested in the community through service and commitment. I believe that my experience as provisional judge, and my commitment to this community, would allow me to serve Florissant well for years to come.