KANSAS - STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE

• NCJ Number: 55152
• Author(s): B A SCHULTE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 92 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-DF-99-0052; 76-DF-99-0026; 77-DF-99-0052
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American Bar Association
• Sale Source: National Ctr for State Courts
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE SERIES

Annotation

THIS REPORT, ONE IN A SERIES CONTAINING PROFILES OF NONFEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION OF STATE COURTS IN KANSAS.

Abstract

THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT REFORM ACT WAS PASSED BY THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE IN 1965. CONSOLIDATION RESULTING FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT CAUSED THE FOLLOWING COURTS TO ABOLISHED: PROBATE, JUVENILE, COUNTY, CITY, MAGISTRATE, COMMON PLEAS, AND SMALL DEBTORS COURTS. THERE IS ONE COURT OF JUSTICE ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT IS DIVIDED INTO THE SUPREME COURT, THE COURT OF APPEALS, THE DISTRICT COURT, AND MUNICIPAL COURTS. THE SUPREME COURT EXERCISES ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY OVER ALL COURTS, AND IS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT. THE MAJORITY OF CASES FROM THE DISTRICT COURT ARE APPEALED TO THE COURT OF APPEALS. THE DISTRICT COURT HAS APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER APPEALS FROM DECISIONS OF DISTRICT MAGISTRATE JUDGES, MUNICIPAL COURTS, AND CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES. STATUTES PROVIDE FOR A DISTRICT COURT IN EACH COUNTY OF THE STATE THAT HAS GENERAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION. THERE ARE 29 JUDICIAL DISTRICTS THAT FOLLOW COUNTY BOUNDARIES AND CONTAIN FROM 1 TO 7 COUNTIES. PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED: THE QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERM OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. THERE ARE NO PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS IN KANSAS COURTS AND NO UNIFORM RULES OR SELECTION PROCESSES FOR NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT, INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, DISTRICT COURTS, TRIAL COURT OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, JUDGES, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL, JUDICIAL POLICYMAKING AND ADVISORY BODIES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, COURT FINANCING, COURT RECORDS AND STATISTICS, AND COURT REFORM. SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED TO PREPARE THE PROFILE ARE LISTED. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF THE COURT ARE INCLUDED. DATA ON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE KANSAS COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RELATING TO COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)