TOPEKA—Chief Justice Marla Luckert issued a new administrative order today continuing to suspend statutes of limitation, statutory time standards, deadlines, and time limitations started under earlier orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Luckert's action follows the State Finance Council's decision today to extend the COVID-19 state of disaster emergency from November 16 through December 15.
Luckert said the health and safety of jurors, witnesses, litigants, members of the public, law enforcement officials, court employees, and judges drove her decision to continue the suspensions.
"Our courts are processing many cases remotely and many are resuming in-person trials and proceedings" Luckert said. "But health and safety concerns present barriers to access to justice and require a measured approach to resuming in-person jury trials."
Statutory speedy trial provisions in district courts
Administrative Order 2020-PR-113 continues the suspension of statutory deadlines and time limitations to bring a defendant to trial in district court. The order does not impact a criminal defendant's constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Judicial proceedings
The order also continues the suspension of statutes of limitations, statutory time standards, or deadlines that apply to conducting or processing judicial proceedings.
Under the order, no action may be dismissed for lack of prosecution or failure to meet a deadline, except when a judge, appellate judicial officer, or hearing officer exempts a case from the suspension.
Municipal courts
The order also continues the suspension of certain deadlines and time standards, including applicable statutory speedy trial provisions, for any municipal court closed or continuing trials because of COVID-19. The suspensions remain in effect until the court reopens and can reasonably place the case on its calendar, or until further order.
Duration of today's order
Today's order will remain in effect until further order or it expires under provisions in 2020 House Substitute for Senate Bill 102 as amended by 2020 Spec. Sess. House Bill 2016.
Case processing
Courts continue to process cases even while statutes of limitation and statutory time standards or deadlines are suspended. Judges hear many types of proceedings using videoconferencing technology, greatly reducing the need for in-person hearings. And in-person hearings, including jury trials, are also taking place with physical distancing and other precautions.
Court operations during pandemic
For all court actions related to the pandemic, visit Kansas courts response to COVID-19.