TOPEKA—The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene by videoconference at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, to review applications for a district judge vacancy.
The judicial vacancy will be created when District Judge Mark Ward retires October 9.
The 6th Judicial District is composed of Bourbon, Linn, and Miami counties.
Applicants
- Joshua Albin, Andover, attorney, Adams Jones Law Firm, P.A.; city attorney, Burden
- James Crux, Pittsburg, Bourbon County attorney
- Madeline Jensen, Spring Hill, assistant county attorney, Bourbon County
- Jacklyn Paletta, Paola, municipal judge, Louisburg; county counselor, Linn County, Pascolo Law LLC
- Terra Tecchio, Ft. Scott, attorney, Tecchio Consulting, LLC and Baseley Law Office
Public access
The meeting is open to the public. It will be by videoconference and livestreamed on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel.
To comment:
- Call 1-845-361-8917
- Enter Conference Code 3872788
- Press #
Accommodation
Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the nominating commission meeting should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible: ADA@kscourts.gov, 785-296-2256, TTY at 711.
Eligibility requirements
To be considered for district judge, a nominee must be:
- at least 30 years old;
- a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and
- a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office.
Appointment process
The nominating commission seeks nominations and then meets to interview the nominees. Interviews are open to the public. The commission selects three to five people whose names are submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements.
The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.
Term of office
After serving one year in office, a new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.
Nominating commission
The 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Larkin Walsh as the nonvoting chair; Mark McCoy and Zackery Reynolds, Fort Scott; Patton Apple and Ronald Wood, Louisburg; Todd Schneider, Mound City; and Mary Stephenson, Paola.