Amy Crawford-Coppola selected for district magistrate judge vacancy in Geary County

TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Amy Crawford-Coppola to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Geary County.

The commission conducted public interviews of nominees for the position December 21 in Junction City. Six people had applied for the opening.

Crawford-Coppola's new position will be effective on her swearing-in. She is a Salina attorney.

The 8th Judicial District is composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion, and Morris counties. The vacancy will be created by Judge Charles Zimmerman's January 11 retirement.

Eligibility requirements

Kansas law requires that this district magistrate judge be:

• a resident of Geary County at the time of taking office and while holding office;

• a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and

• either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months.

Term of office

After serving one year in office, the new magistrate judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

Nominating commission

The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Caleb Stegall as the nonvoting chair; Kevin Harris, Abilene; Ashley Iverson, Alta Vista; Douglas Thompson, Chapman; Darrell Miller, Dwight; Keith Henry, Junction City; Daryl Enos and Edwin Wheeler Jr., Marion; and Eric Coffman, Milford.