Elizabeth Hafoka, supervising city prosecutor in Lawrence Municipal Court, has been selected as the court’s next judge following a national search, the city announced Thursday.
Hafoka earned her law degree from KU in 2007. She worked in the Douglas County and Johnson County district attorney’s offices prior to her work with the city.
“Serving the Lawrence community has been the focus of my career, and I am honored to step into the role of Municipal Court Judge,” Hafoka said in the city’s news release. “I am committed to ensuring every person who comes before the court is treated with fairness, dignity and respect. I look forward to supporting an efficient, accessible court and continuing to build trust within our community.”
Hafoka has “appeared as a prosecuting attorney in more than 700 evidentiary hearings, including bench trials and jury trials,” according to the city’s release.
“A significant portion of her work has involved cases with defendants who are unrepresented by legal counsel,” the release continued. “She places particular emphasis on ensuring they understand their constitutional rights and are treated fairly as they navigate the criminal justice system.”
Previous judge Chris Kopecky in January announced plans to retire. He had served as judge since October 2022.
Hafoka will begin in the role on April 22.
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