TOPEKA—Chief Justice Marla Luckert appointed Spence Koehn to fill unexpired terms on two Kansas commissions.
Koehn joined the Kansas Supreme Court's Office of Judicial Administration in March as court services officer specialist. He will serve on the Kansas Sentencing Commission and the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission.
Koehn has more than 24 years of experience in probation. He previously was a court services officer in Franklin County in the 4th Judicial District. He also has been a CSO in Miami County and an intensive supervision officer in Johnson County. He previously was a surveillance officer and intensive supervision officer for 4th Judicial District Community Corrections. He holds a bachelor's degree in human services from Ottawa University.
Kansas Sentencing Commission
Koehn will serve a term ending June 30, 2020, on the Kansas Sentencing Commission. He succeeds Chris Mechler, who retired from the Office of Judicial Administration in December.
The Legislature established the commission to evaluate sentencing guidelines and advise and recommend changes to the secretary of corrections and legislators.
Commission members represent the judicial branch, attorney general, public defenders, defense counselors, district attorneys, the secretary of corrections, the state parole board, community corrections, legislators, and the general public.
Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission
Koehn will serve a term ending December 1, 2020, on the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission, succeeding Mechler.
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.
Commission members represent the judicial branch, legislature, law enforcement, prosecution and defense counsel, law schools, addiction and health care professionals, and the faith-based community.