The Kansas Senate unanimously confirmed Kansas Court of Appeals nominee Rachel Pickering despite alarms set off by Republicans about judicial criticism leveled against her decisions as appellate defense counsel in a 15-year-old criminal case.
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert in her State of the Judiciary speech Wednesday asked lawmakers for support of specialty courts, behavioral health services, and pay raises for judges and court employees.
The ACLU of Kansas argues the Kansas Supreme Court incorrectly interpreted federal law when it ruled race wasn’t a factor in the map drawn by the Republican-dominated Kansas Legislature.
An attorney who used to handle appointments in Douglas County District Court criminal cases is on probation for violating professional rules of conduct.
Kansans voted to keep all six state Supreme Court justices up for retention on the November ballot. The justices were returned with more than 60% voter support, including two who voted in favor of abortion rights.
Kansas Supreme Court Justice Melissa Taylor Standridge said the legislative and executive branches of government were distinct from the judicial branch because judges and justices were required to cast aside personal politics when making decisions.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt is eager to alter selection of Kansas Supreme Court justices; incumbent Gov. Laura Kelly prefers the status quo; and the Kansas attorney general candidates are split on direct election of justices.
In November, six of Kansas’ seven Supreme Court judges are up for retention votes, and two constitutional amendments will be decided.
Six of the seven Kansas Supreme Court justices face retention during the Nov. 8 election. Conservatives who disagree with the ruling that concluded the state constitution includes the right to an abortion could try to change the court.
The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld the Court of Appeals ruling that reversed Carrody Buchhorn’s conviction in the 2016 death of 9-month-old boy at the Eudora child care center where she worked.
