31st Judicial District Nominating Commission to meet February 9

TOPEKA—The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet by telephone conference at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, February 9, to set the schedule for filling two district magistrate judge positions.

One position was created by Judge Tod Davis’ appointment as district judge. The other was among the positions certified by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2022-JA-020 after the Kansas Legislature passed and the governor signed 2022 House Substitute for Substitute for Senate Bill No. 267 to fund them.

The 31st Judicial District is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.

Public access

The meeting is open to the public. To listen:  

• call 845-361-8917

• enter guest passcode 3872788#

ADA accommodation
  
Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the nominating commission meeting should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible:
  
ADA Coordinator    
ADA@kscourts.org  
785-296-2256    
TTY at 711
  
District magistrate judge appointment process

To be considered for district magistrate judge, a nominee must be:

• a resident of the judicial district 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 to become certified within 18 months.

The nominating commission selects whom to appoint to fill magistrate judge positions. [Note: Kansas statute requires one resident judge per county. This mandate may affect residency requirements.]

Term of office  
 
After serving one year in office, a new 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 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Evelyn Wilson as the nonvoting chair; Richard Pringle, Chanute; Nancy Burns and John Chenoweth, Fredonia; Douglas Depew, Neodesha; Craig Mentzer, Neosho Falls; Shelia Lampe, Piqua; Donald Greg Taylor, Stark.