TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Republic County created by the resignation of Judge Starla Nelson.
The 12th Judicial District is composed of Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties.
Justice Caleb Stegall, the Supreme Court departmental justice temporarily responsible for the 12th Judicial District, said nominees can apply or be nominated, but it must be on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.
Kansas law requires that the district magistrate judge be:
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a resident of Republic County at the time of taking office and while holding office;
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a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and
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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.
Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk of the district court in Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties; the clerk of the appellate courts at the Kansas Judicial Center; or the Kansas judicial branch website.
One original and 12 copies of the completed nomination form and supporting letters must be submitted by noon Thursday, December 26, to:
Justice Caleb Stegall, Departmental Chair
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka KS 66612-1507
The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees Thursday, January 16, 2020, in the Republic County Courthouse, 1815 M St., Belleville. Interviews are open to the public. The commission will then appoint a district magistrate judge.
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.
The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Stegall as the nonvoting chair, Carol Good of Barnard, William Navis of Belleville, Dwight Daniels and Jerry Harrison of Beloit, Dana Brewer and Bradley Lowell of Concordia, Tanner Johnson of Courtland, Daniel Metz of Lincoln, Rick Diamond and Darrell Miller of Mankato, and Bruce Meyer of Palmer.