TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district judge vacancy in Geary County created by the January 1 retirement of Judge Maritza Segarra.
The 8th Judicial District is composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion, and Morris counties.
Justice Marla Luckert, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 8th Judicial District, said individuals can apply or be nominated, but nominations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.
A nominee for district judge must be:
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at least 30 years old.
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a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school.
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a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.
Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the court administrator of the 8th Judicial District in Junction City; the clerks of the district court in Dickinson, Geary, Marion, or Morris counties; or the Kansas judicial branch website.
One original and nine copies of the completed nomination form and supporting letters must be submitted by noon October 10, 2018, to:
Edwin Wheeler Jr., commission secretary
801 N. Washington, Suite D
Junction City, KS 66441
The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 9 a.m. October 29 in the Geary County Courthouse, 138 E. Eighth, Junction City. Interviews are open to the public.
The commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the judicial district. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.
After serving one year in office, the new 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 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Luckert as the nonvoting chair; Darrel Bryant, Council Grove; Carolyn Gaston, Milford; Kevin Harris, Abilene; James Hefley, Hillsboro; Arvid Jacobson, Junction City; Darrell Miller, Dwight; Douglas Thompson, Abilene; and Wheeler, Marion.