Three to represent judicial branch on criminal justice reform commission

TOPEKA—Three representatives from the Kansas judicial branch have been appointed to serve on the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission.

Under authority granted by state statute, Chief Justice Lawton Nuss appointed Chris Mechler, court services specialist in the Office of Judicial Administration.

Also under statutory authority, the Kansas District Judges Association appointed Chief Judge Glenn Braun and the Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association appointed District Magistrate Judge Marty Clark to the commission.

Braun serves in the 23rd Judicial District, which is composed of Ellis, Gove, Rooks, and Trego counties. Clark serves in Russell County of the 20th Judicial District.

The 2019 Legislature created the commission to study the criminal justice system as a whole and make recommendations about sentencing, diversion programs, specialty courts, specialized correctional facilities, offender supervision, criminal justice data management, and other matters identified by the commission.

Other commission members represent the legislature, law enforcement, prosecution and defense counsel, law schools, addiction and health care professionals, and the faith-based community.