Kansas Court of Appeals
Kansas Court of Appeals | |||
Court information | |||
Judges: | 14 | ||
Salary: | Associates: $163,156[1] | ||
Judicial selection | |||
Method: | Assisted appointment | ||
Term: | 4 years | ||
Published opinions |
The Kansas Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court in Kansas. The judges of the court ordinarily do not conduct trials. They decide appealed cases by reading the record of the trial, reviewing briefs filed by the parties, and hearing oral arguments from lawyers. They research and review the law involved in the case and then write an opinion that is usually published in bound volumes.[2]
The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal appeals from the Kansas district courts, with the exception of appeals made directly to the Kansas Supreme Court, and has original jurisdiction in habeas corpus actions.[3]
Cases on appeal are heard by a three-judge panel at courts located throughout the state. The chief judge of the court assigns both the judges to each panel and the cases that are to be heard by each panel. The main location of the Kansas Court of Appeals is the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka, Kansas. Decisions of the Kansas Court of Appeals are filed weekly, usually on Friday mornings.[2]
Judges
Judge | Tenure | Appointed By |
---|---|---|
April 22, 1993 - Present |
Joan Finney |
|
2013 - Present |
Sam Brownback |
|
December 5, 2003 - Present |
Kathleen Sebelius |
|
May 2, 2003 - Present |
Kathleen Sebelius |
|
March 4, 2011 - Present |
Mark Parkinson |
|
July 14, 2010 - Present |
Mark Parkinson |
|
May 29, 2019 - Present |
Laura Kelly |
|
June 3, 2011 - Present |
Sam Brownback |
|
January 29, 2015 - Present |
Sam Brownback |
|
May 17, 2022 - Present |
Laura Kelly |
|
March 23, 2021 - Present |
Laura Kelly |
|
April 30, 2021 - Present |
Laura Kelly |
|
February 26, 2021 - Present |
Laura Kelly |
|
April 27, 2023 - Present |
Laura Kelly |
Senior judges
Judicial selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Kansas
The fourteen judges on the Kansas Court of Appeals are appointed by the governor with every nomination subject to confirmation by the Kansas State Senate. Newly appointed judges serve for at least one year, after which they must stand for retention in the next even-year general election. If retained, the judge serves a four-year term and must stand for retention every four years after that point to remain in office.[4]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must:[5]
- have at least 10 years of active and continuous law practice in the state;[6]
- be at least 30 years old; and
- be no older than 75. If a sitting judge turns 75 while on the bench, he or she may serve out the term.
Chief judge
The chief judge for the court of appeals is selected by the supreme court.[7]
Vacancies
If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, the position is filled as it normally would be had the vacancy occurred at the end of a judge's term. The governor appoints a new judge, who must be confirmed by the Kansas State Senate. He or she then serves at least one year following his or her initial appointment and must stand for retention at the next statewide general election to remain in office.[4]
Elections
2024
The terms of seven Kansas intermediate appellate court judges will expire on January 13, 2025. The seven seats are up for retention election on November 5, 2024. The filing deadline was August 5, 2024.
Judges with expiring terms
Candidates and results
Arnold-Burger's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Karen Arnold-Burger's seat
Karen Arnold-Burger is running for retention to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
|||||
No |
|||||
Total Votes |
|
Warner's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Sarah Warner's seat
Sarah Warner is running for retention to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
|||||
No |
|||||
Total Votes |
|
Bruns' seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, David E. Bruns' seat
David E. Bruns is running for retention to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
|||||
No |
|||||
Total Votes |
|
Atcheson's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, G. Gordon Atcheson's seat
G. Gordon Atcheson is running for retention to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
|||||
No |
|||||
Total Votes |
|
Pickering's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Rachel Pickering's seat
Rachel Pickering is running for retention to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
|||||
No |
|||||
Total Votes |
|
Coble's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Angela Coble's seat
Angela Coble is running for retention to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
|||||
No |
|||||
Total Votes |
|
Gardner's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Kathryn Gardner's seat
Kathryn Gardner is running for retention to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
Yes |
|||||
No |
|||||
Total Votes |
|
2022
Candidates and election results
Cline's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Amy Cline's seat
Amy Cline was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 68.8% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
✔ | Yes |
68.8
|
580,472 | ||
No |
31.2
|
262,901 | |||
Total Votes |
843,373 |
|
Green's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Henry Green's seat
Henry Green was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.4% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
✔ | Yes |
69.4
|
581,926 | ||
No |
30.6
|
256,797 | |||
Total Votes |
838,723 |
|
Hill's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Stephen Hill's seat
Stephen Hill was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.5% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
✔ | Yes |
69.5
|
588,865 | ||
No |
30.5
|
258,303 | |||
Total Votes |
847,168 |
|
Hurst's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Jacy Hurst's seat
Jacy Hurst was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 68.5% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
✔ | Yes |
68.5
|
573,829 | ||
No |
31.5
|
264,160 | |||
Total Votes |
837,989 |
|
Isherwood's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Lesley Ann Isherwood's seat
Lesley Ann Isherwood was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.3% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
✔ | Yes |
69.3
|
585,458 | ||
No |
30.7
|
259,376 | |||
Total Votes |
844,834 |
|
Malone's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Thomas E. Malone's seat
Thomas E. Malone was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.3% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
✔ | Yes |
69.3
|
581,830 | ||
No |
30.7
|
258,187 | |||
Total Votes |
840,017 |
|
Schroeder's seat
Kansas Court of Appeals, Kim R. Schroeder's seat
Kim R. Schroeder was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 72.3% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
✔ | Yes |
72.3
|
609,039 | ||
No |
27.7
|
233,862 | |||
Total Votes |
842,901 |
|
Judges not on the ballot
- Tony Powell (retention election canceled after Powell retired on June 30, 2022)
2020
Candidates and results
Warner's seat
General election candidates
- Sarah Warner (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
Bruns' seat
General election candidates
- David E. Bruns (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
Atcheson's seat
General election candidates
- G. Gordon Atcheson (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
Arnold-Burger's seat
General election candidates
- Karen Arnold-Burger (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
Gardner's seat
General election candidates
- Kathryn Gardner (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔
2018
Candidates and results
Hill's seat
General election
General election for Kansas Court of Appeals
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Stephen Hill (Nonpartisan) | 74.7 | 681,026 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 25.3 | 230,633 |
Total votes: 911,659 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Schroeder's seat
General election
General election for Kansas Court of Appeals
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Kim R. Schroeder (Nonpartisan) | 75.5 | 684,477 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 24.5 | 222,665 |
Total votes: 907,142 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Green's seat
General election
General election for Kansas Court of Appeals
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Henry Green (Nonpartisan) | 74.3 | 666,933 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 25.7 | 231,022 |
Total votes: 897,955 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Powell's seat
General election
General election for Kansas Court of Appeals
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Tony Powell (Nonpartisan) | 73.3 | 659,701 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 26.7 | 240,517 |
Total votes: 900,218 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Malone's seat
General election
General election for Kansas Court of Appeals
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Thomas E. Malone (Nonpartisan) | 74.2 | 666,342 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 25.8 | 232,151 |
Total votes: 898,493 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Buser's seat
General election
General election for Kansas Court of Appeals
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Michael Buser (Nonpartisan) | 66.7 | 597,509 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 33.3 | 298,030 |
Total votes: 895,539 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Standridge's seat
General election
General election for Kansas Court of Appeals
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Melissa Standridge (Nonpartisan) | 69.2 | 620,903 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 30.8 | 276,479 |
Total votes: 897,382 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
2016
Judges who faced retention
■ Steve Leben
■ Joseph Pierron
■ David E. Bruns
■ G. Gordon Atcheson
■ Karen Arnold-Burger
■ Kathryn Gardner
Election results
November 8 general election
Steve Leben was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Leben's Seat election with 59.81% of the vote.
Kansas Court of Appeals, Leben's Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Yes votes | |
Steve Leben | 59.81% | |
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results |
Joseph Pierron was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Pierron's Seat election with 59.47% of the vote.
Kansas Court of Appeals, Pierron's Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Yes votes | |
Joseph Pierron | 59.47% | |
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results |
David E. Bruns was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Bruns' Seat election with 71.90% of the vote.
Kansas Court of Appeals, Bruns' Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Yes votes | |
David E. Bruns | 71.90% | |
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results |
G. Gordon Atcheson was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Atcheson's Seat election with 59.38% of the vote.
Kansas Court of Appeals, Atcheson's Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Yes votes | |
G. Gordon Atcheson | 59.38% | |
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results |
Karen Arnold-Burger was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Arnold-Burger's Seat election with 60.18% of the vote.
Kansas Court of Appeals, Arnold-Burger's Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Yes votes | |
Karen Arnold-Burger | 60.18% | |
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results |
Kathryn Gardner was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Gardner's Seat election with 72.87% of the vote.
Kansas Court of Appeals, Gardner's Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Name | Yes votes | |
Kathryn Gardner | 72.87% | |
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results |
2014
Retention
Judge | Election Vote |
---|---|
Stephen Hill | 59.5% |
Kim R. Schroeder | 61.6% |
Tony Powell | 66.1% |
Melissa Standridge | 60.6% |
Henry Green (Kansas) | 66.3% |
Patrick McAnany | 59.3% |
Michael Buser | 58.9% |
Thomas E. Malone | 67% |
- See also: Kansas judicial elections, 2014
2012
Judge | Incumbency | Division | Retention vote | Retention Vote % |
---|---|---|---|---|
David E. Bruns | Yes | 658,691 | 75% | |
G. Gordon Atcheson | Yes | 617,265 | 71% | |
Joseph Pierron | Yes | 654,838 | 74% | |
Karen Arnold-Burger | Yes | 625,724 | 71% | |
Steve Leben | Yes | 639,388 | 72% |
- See also: Kansas judicial elections, 2012
Ethics
The Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in Kansas. It consists of four overarching canons:
" |
|
” |
The full text of the Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.
Removal of judges
Judges in Kansas may be removed in one of two ways:
- The Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications hears allegations of misconduct, investigates, and may hold formal hearings on the allegations. The commission, if it finds that the judge committed the misconduct by clear and convincing evidence, may then admonish or issue a cease-and-desist order on the judge. The commission may also submit a recommendation to the Kansas Supreme Court that a judge be removed from the bench, publicly censured, compulsorily retired, or suspended.
- A judge may also be removed by impeachment and then conviction, pursuant to Article 2 of the Kansas State Constitution.[10]
State profile
Demographic data for Kansas | ||
---|---|---|
Kansas | U.S. | |
Total population: | 2,906,721 | 316,515,021 |
Land area (sq mi): | 81,759 | 3,531,905 |
Race and ethnicity** | ||
White: | 85.2% | 73.6% |
Black/African American: | 5.8% | 12.6% |
Asian: | 2.6% | 5.1% |
Native American: | 0.8% | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
Two or more: | 3.3% | 3% |
Hispanic/Latino: | 11.2% | 17.1% |
Bildung | ||
High school graduation rate: | 90.2% | 86.7% |
College graduation rate: | 31% | 29.8% |
Income | ||
Median household income: | $52,205 | $53,889 |
Persons below poverty level: | 15% | 11.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Kansas. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Kansas
Kansas voted Republican in all six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.
More Kansas coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Kansas
- United States congressional delegations from Kansas
- Public policy in Kansas
- Endorsers in Kansas
- Kansas fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The salary of the chief judge may be higher than an associate judge.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kansas Judicial Branch, "Court of Appeals," accessed May 31, 2015
- ↑ Kansas Judicial Branch, "Kansas Court of Appeals Purpose, Authority, and History," accessed May 30, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Our Kansas Courts, "Judicial Selection," accessed Sept. 24, 2021
- ↑ Supreme Court Nominating Commission, "Filling a Supreme Court vacancy," Aug. 6, 2020
- ↑ This may include work as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school.
- ↑ Kansas Judicial Branch, "Court of Appeals," accessed March 31, 2023
- ↑ Kansas Judicial Branch, "Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct," accessed May 31, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Center For State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Removal of Judges," accessed May 23, 2015
Federal courts:
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Kansas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Kansas
State courts:
Kansas Supreme Court • Kansas Court of Appeals • Kansas District Courts • Kansas Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Kansas • Kansas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Kansas
|