Highest Court
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court consists of 7
judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Exclusive appellate jurisdiction in
serious felonies. (2) Exclusive original jurisdiction in any suite in law
or equity, and any controversy relating to the apportionment of representation
in the state legislature. (3) Exclusive appellate jurisdiction in cases
where a statute of Kansas or of the United States has been held unconstitutional.
(4) Appellate jurisdiction by right of constitutional issues previously
decided by the Court of Appeals. (5) Discretionary appellate jurisdiction
over all decision made by the Court of Appeals.
Intermediate Courts
Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals consists of
11 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) All appeals from District Court
except those reviewable by the District Court or in which direct appeal
to the Supreme Court is possible. (2) Writs of habeas corpus.
General Courts
District Court
The District Court consists of 233
district and 74 district magistrate judges. It has jurisdiction over (1)
General original jurisdiction in all civil matters. (2) General original
jurisdiction in all criminal matters unless provided by law. (3) Juvenile
jurisdiction. (4) Appeals from Magistrate judge may be heard by District
judges. (5) Appeals from Municipal Court and Administrative Agencies.
Limited Courts
Municipal Court
The Municipal Court consists of
257 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) City ordinance violations (less
than one year imprisonment) including traffic.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Additional Information
Terms
The Supreme Court shall convene
annually at the state capital on the first Tuesday in January and the first
Tuesday in July. Special and adjourned terms may be held at the discretion
of a majority of the judges. However, a notice of the time of a special
or adjourned term must be published in the Kansas register. (Kansas Statute
20-102)
Adjournments
In a situation when the majority
of the court is not in attendance on the first day of the term, the court
shall stand adjourned for three succeeding day. If, on the third
day, the court has yet to convene, all pending matters shall stand continued
until the next term, unless a special term be ordered and no action or
matter shall abate or be discontinued thereby. (Kansas Statute 20-103).
Syllabus of case
The judge who delivered the opinion
of a supreme court case shall file a brief written statement with the clerk
including the points decided in the case. These points shall constitute
the syllabus in the published reports of the case. (Kansas Statute 20-111).
Chief judge; designation by supreme
court; duties
The supreme court shall select
a district judge as a chief judge for each judicial district who will be
supervised by the supreme court. The chief judge shall have general
control of the assignment of cases within the assigned district The
chief judge shall also be responsible for and have general supervision
over the clerical and administrative functions over such court as established
by statute or rule of the supreme court or district court. (Kansas Statute
20-329)
Powers, rights and authority
of district judges in districts with more than one district judge
In judicial districts having more
than one district judge, the district judge shall have the same rights,
powers, and authority throughout the district as though that judge was
the only judge of the district. The powers, rights, and authority
may be exercised by the district judges in the same or different counties
in their district at the same time. (Kansas Statute 20-330)
Two classes of contempt
The contempts of court are divided
into two classes: direct and indirect. The contempts shall be proceeded
against only as hereinafter prescribed. (Kansas Statute 20-1201)
Classes of contempts defined
Direct contempts are defined as
the contempts committed during the sitting of the court or of a judge at
chambers, in its or his/her presence. All other contempts are non
as indirect contempts. (Kansas Statute 20-1202)
Same; joint law library; establishment
and maintenance
A joint law library may be established
and maintained in any suitable place or places when determined by election
of a majority of the attorneys of any county, with the mutual consent
of a majority from any other county or counties. The boards of county
commissioners of the said counties shall provide, maintain, and equally
share in the expense of keeping a library. The trustees so elected
shall determine which clerk of the district court shall act as treasurer.
No provisions of this act shall
be construed to place the operation of any county law library established
and maintained here under or under other enabling acts subject to any cash
basis law of this state. (Kansas Statute 20-3132).
