The Commission has adopted Rules of Procedure which give specific details of the process.  The basic process for merit selection of judges is as follows:

  • Vacancy declared by Chief Justice
  • Commission convened by Chair to determine meeting schedule
  • Post card sent to attorneys in the district and press release issued about opening
  • Background check of criminal and credit history completed on applicants
  • Applicant's disciplinary history investigated with both the Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications and the Office of the Kansas Disciplinary Administrator
  • Applicants to be interviewed selected by Commission
  • References, opposing counsel, judges and others contacted by non-lawyer & lawyer "teams"
  • Information from "teams" reported to Commission prior to interviews
  • Applicants interviewed in meeting open to the public
  • For district court judge openings, the three best qualified persons are submitted to the Governor who makes the final selection
  • For magistrate judge openings, the best qualified person is chosen

The Commission is governed by Kansas Statutes 20-2901 through 20-2916.  The Commission also follows Supreme Court Rule 1101 with respect to confidentiality of  records.