Judge Chambers of Reno County to sit with Kansas Supreme Court September 18

TOPEKA—Judge Timothy J. Chambers of the Reno County District Court has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear an attorney discipline case on the court’s 9 a.m. docket Friday, September 18.

After hearing the case, Chambers will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and opinion drafting.

“I am so glad that Judge Chambers is taking time from his duties in the 27th judicial district to sit with the Supreme Court,” said Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss. “It’s a great help to our court and we look forward to his contributions deliberating this case.”

Chambers has served as a district judge in Reno County since 2001.

“I look forward to the opportunity to sit with the Supreme Court,” Chambers said. “I consider it an honor to have been asked to serve in this capacity.”

Before he became a judge, Chambers served as Reno County Attorney and District Attorney from 1983 to 2001. In 1991, he was named Kansas Prosecutor of the Year.

All Supreme Court oral arguments are webcast live through the Watch Supreme Court Live! link in the right-hand column of the Kansas Judicial Branch website at www.kscourts.org.

The case Chambers will hear is the last one scheduled on the 9 a.m. docket Friday, September 18:

Appeal No. 113,578: In re Wendell Betts

Original Proceeding Related to Attorney Discipline: (Two-year suspension) This disciplinary proceeding arises out of a domestic dispute between Betts and his wife; convictions for driving under the influence; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; transporting an open container of alcohol; and, violating probation. Betts has not attempted to practice law since his arrest in July 2013. The Supreme Court suspended his license to practice law September 18, 2013, for failing to complete the required continuing legal education requirement. The hearing panel found violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. The hearing panel found as an aggravating factor that Betts has been disciplined on five prior occasions. The panel did find mitigating factors. The panel recommended that Betts’ license to practice law be suspended for two years, that he be required to undergo a Rule 219 hearing prior to consideration of a petition for reinstatement, and that he meet certain conditions. Betts has not taken exceptions.