Five apply for judge vacancy in 6th Judicial District

TOPEKA—Five people applied to fill a judge vacancy in the 6th judicial district created by the January 2015 retirement of Chief Judge Richard “Dick” Smith.

The vacancy will be in Division 2 in Linn County.

The nominating commission will convene October 14 to interview candidates in the Linn County Courthouse. The interviews are open to the public, but the commission can adjourn to executive session during the meeting to discuss confidential matters.

The five applicants are:

• Darrell L. Smith, Olathe, who is in private practice as the Law Office of Darrell Smith.

• Sheila Marie Schultz, Olathe, who is in private practice with the firm Winkler, Domoney & Schultz, a part-time municipal judge for the city of Paola, a pro tem for Code’s Court in Miami County, and a part-time municipal judge for the city of Osawatomie

• Terri L. Johnson, Fort Scott, who is Bourbon County attorney and Bourbon County counselor.

• John Stephen Sutherland, Mound City, who is Linn County attorney, and city attorney for Blue Mound, LaCygne, and Prescott.

• Robert Ray Johnson, Olathe, who is assistant Miami County attorney.

The nominating commission will accept public comments about candidates’ ability to serve as a judge. Comments can be made to any member of the commission, but they must be made before October 14.

A judge must reside in the district, be at least 30 years old, have actively practiced law for at least five years, and be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

Kansas law requires the commission to submit at least two names, but not more than three, to the governor, who will choose one to appoint.

The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Lee A. Johnson as the nonvoting chair; and Richard M. Fisher Jr., Osawatomie; Alan D. Hurt, Mound City; Blake D. Hudson, Fort Scott; Pat Apple, Louisburg; Ronald P. Wood, Louisburg; and Mark McCoy, Fort Scott.