Classes of judges; judge of the district court defined; jurisdiction, power and authority

20-301a. Classes of judges; judge of the district court defined; jurisdiction, power and authority. There shall be two classes of judges of the district courts established pursuant to K.S.A. 20-301: District judges and district magistrate judges. As used in this act, "judge of the district court" means any of such judges. Such judges shall have the jurisdiction, powers and duties prescribed by this act and otherwise prescribed by law. The judicial power and authority of a judge of the district court in each judicial district may be exercised anywhere within such judicial district and may be exercised anywhere within any other judicial district when assigned to hear any proceeding or try any cause in such judicial district, as provided in K.S.A. 20-319, and amendments thereto. History: L. 1976, ch. 146, § 10; L. 1986, ch. 115, § 31; January 12, 1987. Cross References to Related Sections: Application in wiretap cases, see 22-2516. Attorney General's Opinions: Election expenses of candidates and organizations; reporting of receipts and expenditures by certain organizations. 81-5. Clerk of district court; board of trustees of county law library. 82-124. Clerk of the district court; board of trustees of county law library. 84-64. Classes of judges of district court. 85-183. District magistrate judges; election due to vacancy; length of term. 88-38. Residence requirements for district court judges; 20th judicial district. 92-30. Residence requirements for district court judges. 93-26. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Applied in construing K.S.A. 22-2516a; district judge outside county in which telephone and monitoring devices located without power to authorize interception. State v. Adams, 2 Kan. App. 2d 135, 137, 576 P.2d 242. 2. Applied in construing K.S.A. 20-337; constitutional order declaring office of magistrate judge vacant upheld. Sinclair v. Schroeder, 225 Kan. 3, 6, 586 P.2d 684. 3. Whether court had jurisdiction to order pen register and wiretap when component located in adjacent county examined. State v. Gibson, 255 Kan. 474, 478, 482, 874 P.2d 1122 (1994). 4. A district magistrate judge has jurisdiction to conduct felony arraignments and accept pleas. State v. Valladarez, 288 Kan. 671, 206 P.3d 879 (2009). Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026