Amy Harth new chief judge of 6th judicial district

TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss announced today that Amy Harth will become chief judge of the 6th judicial district for a one-year term that starts January 12, 2015.

The 6th judicial district includes Bourbon, Linn and Miami counties.

“Chief Judge Harth is well-respected in her district, by her fellow judges, and by court employees,” Nuss said. “I look forward to Chief Judge Harth's leadership in her three-county district and in the Kansas judicial branch of state government.”

Harth is succeeding Chief Judge Richard M. “Dick” Smith, who will retire January 12, 2015.

“I look forward to serving the people of the 6th judicial district, and working with my fellow judges and court employees, in this new role,” Harth said.

Harth has been a district court judge since 2004 and has presided over all types of cases.

Before becoming a judge, Harth worked as a prosecutor in Miami County and as a public defender. She is a 1994 graduate of Washburn University School of Law.