K.S.A. » Chapter 20
Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 20-302b (2026)

District magistrate judges; jurisdiction, powers and duties; record; appeals

✓ current as of May 2026
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20-302b. District magistrate judges; jurisdiction, powers and duties; record; appeals. (a) Subject to assignment pursuant to K.S.A. 20-329, and amendments thereto, a district magistrate judge shall have the jurisdiction and power, in any case in which a violation of the laws of the state is charged, to conduct the trial of traffic infractions, violations of the wildlife and parks laws of this state or rules and regulations adopted thereunder, cigarette or tobacco infractions or misdemeanor charges, to conduct felony first appearance hearings and the preliminary examination of felony charges and to hear misdemeanor or felony arraignments. A district magistrate judge shall have jurisdiction over uncontested actions for divorce. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section, a district magistrate judge shall have jurisdiction over actions filed under the code of civil procedure for limited actions, K.S.A. 61-2801 et seq., and amendments thereto, and all other civil cases, and shall have concurrent jurisdiction, powers and duties with a district judge. Except with consent of the parties, or as otherwise specifically provided in this section, a district magistrate judge shall not have jurisdiction or cognizance over the following actions:

(1) Any action, other than an action seeking judgment for an unsecured debt not sounding in tort and arising out of a contract for the provision of goods, services or money, in which the amount in controversy, exclusive of interests and costs, exceeds $10,000. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to actions filed under the code of civil procedure for limited actions, K.S.A. 61-2801 et seq., and amendments thereto. In actions of replevin, the affidavit in replevin or the verified petition fixing the value of the property shall govern the jurisdiction. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the power of a district magistrate judge to hear any action pursuant to the Kansas probate code or to issue support orders as provided by subsection (a)(6);

(2) actions against any officers of the state, or any subdivisions thereof, for misconduct in office;

(3) actions for specific performance of contracts for real estate;

(4) actions in which title to real estate is sought to be recovered or in which an interest in real estate, either legal or equitable, is sought to be established. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the right to bring an action for forcible detainer as provided in the acts contained in K.S.A. 61-3801 through 61-3808, and amendments thereto. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the power of a district magistrate judge to hear any action pursuant to the Kansas probate code;

(5) actions to foreclose real estate mortgages or to establish and foreclose liens on real estate as provided in the acts contained in article 11 of chapter 60 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto;

(6) contested actions for divorce, separate maintenance or custody of minor children. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the power of a district magistrate judge to:

(A) Except as provided in subsection (e), hear any action pursuant to the Kansas code for care of children or the revised Kansas juvenile justice code;

(B) establish, modify or enforce orders of support, including, but not limited to, orders of support pursuant to the Kansas parentage act, K.S.A. 23-2201 et seq., and amendments thereto, the uniform interstate family support act, K.S.A. 23-36,101 et seq., and amendments thereto, articles 29 or 30 of chapter 23 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, K.S.A. 39-709, 39-718b or 39-755 or K.S.A. 23-3101 through 23-3113, 38-2348, 38-2349 or 38-2350, and amendments thereto; or

(C) enforce orders granting visitation rights or parenting time;

(7) habeas corpus;

(8) receiverships;

(9) declaratory judgments;

(10) mandamus and quo warranto;

(11) injunctions;

(12) class actions; and

(13) actions pursuant to K.S.A. 59-29a01 et seq., and amendments thereto.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), in the absence, disability or disqualification of a district judge, a district magistrate judge may:

(1) Grant a restraining order, as provided in K.S.A. 60-902, and amendments thereto;

(2) appoint a receiver, as provided in K.S.A. 60-1301, and amendments thereto; and

(3) make any order authorized by K.S.A. 23-2707, and amendments thereto.

(c) (1) Every action or proceeding before a district magistrate judge regularly admitted to practice law in Kansas shall be on the record if such action or proceeding would be on the record before a district judge.

(2) In accordance with the limitations and procedures prescribed by law, and subject to any rules of the supreme court relating thereto, any appeal permitted to be taken from an order or final decision of a district magistrate judge:

(A) Who is not regularly admitted to practice law in Kansas shall be tried and determined de novo by a district judge, except that in civil cases where a record was made of the action or proceeding before the district magistrate judge, the appeal shall be tried and determined on the record by a district judge; and

(B) who is regularly admitted to practice law in Kansas shall be to the court of appeals.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (e), upon motion of a party, the chief judge may reassign an action from a district magistrate judge to a district judge.

(e) Upon motion of a party, the chief judge shall reassign a petition or motion requesting termination of parental rights pursuant to K.S.A. 38-2266 and 38-2267, and amendments thereto, from a district magistrate judge to a district judge.

(f) This section shall apply to every action or proceeding on or after July 1, 2014, regardless of the date such action or proceeding was filed or commenced.

History: L. 1976, ch. 146, § 13; L. 1977, ch. 112, § 2; L. 1979, ch. 92, § 12; L. 1979, ch. 80, § 2; L. 1983, ch. 140, § 3; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 31; L. 1985, ch. 115, § 30; L. 1986, ch. 115, § 32; L. 1986, ch. 137, § 1; L. 1986, ch. 137, § 2; L. 1990, ch. 212, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 312, § 30; L. 1995, ch. 193, § 11; L. 1996, ch. 214, § 23; L. 1998, ch. 148, § 1; L. 1999, ch. 159, § 1; L. 2000, ch. 171, § 3; L. 2001, ch. 157, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 71, § 6; L. 2006, ch. 169, § 92; L. 2007, ch. 195, § 10; L. 2011, ch. 26, § 40; L. 2012, ch. 162, § 30; L. 2014, ch. 71, § 1; L. 2015, ch. 53, § 1; L. 2023, ch. 7, § 18; July 1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 24 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1979–2022 · leading case: State v. Valladarez, 206 P.3d 879 (Kan. 2009).
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State v. Valladarez, 206 P.3d 879 (Kan. 2009). · cites it 9× “K.S.A. 20-302b does not allow a Magistrate Judge to hear a plea of guilty or no contest.”
Brown v. Zimmerman, 506 P.3d 300 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 24× “5 For his part, Brown argues that the district court properly applied K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-302b. Brown acknowledges Zimmerman's claim that as an overall rule, specific statutes ordinarily control over general statutes.”
Ben J. v. City of Salina, 208 P.3d 739 (Kan. 2009). · cites it 2× “Had this process not be guaranteed, the nature of appellate review would change or even be impossible.”
J.B.B. v. J.L.B., 495 P.3d 1036 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 10× “If the appeal is an action within the jurisdiction of a district magistrate judge, the appeal shall be under K.S.A. 20-302b, and amendments thereto." Turning then to K.”
In the Interest of L.C.W., 211 P.3d 829 (Kan. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 3× “Whether its review is on the record or based on a new trial, the district court is to make a de novo determination, and the procedure is governed by K.S.A. 20-302b(c) and K.S.A. 2008 Supp. 60-2103a.”
State v. Derusseau, 966 P.2d 694 (Kan. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 6× “” K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 20-302b governs the powers of and appeals from district magistrate judges: “(c) In accordance with the limitations and procedures prescribed by law, and subject to any rules of the supreme court relating thereto, any appeal permitted to be taken from an order…”
Schroeder v. Kochanowski, 311 F. Supp. 2d 1241 (D. Kan. 2004). “K.S.A. 20-302b (Supp.2001). 57 . Bradley v.”
In Re the Est. of Kempkes, 603 P.2d 642 (Kan. Ct. App. 1979). · cites it 4× “Although a magistrate judge and a district judge have certain concurrent jurisdiction, including probate actions (K.S.A. 1978 Supp. 20-302b[a]), it is statutorily provided that an appeal from a decision or order of a magistrate judge be tried and determined by a district judge…”
State v. Kleen, 896 P.2d 376 (Kan. 1995). · cites it 3× “*914 The State argues that K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 20-302b(c) and K.S.A. 1994 Supp.”
State v. Farmer, 909 P.2d 1154 (Kan. 1996). · cites it 2× “2d 376 (1995), that "K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 20-302b(c) provides for a de novo appeal before a district judge from a district magistrate judge `in accordance with the limitations and procedure presented by law.”
State v. Wilson, 808 P.2d 434 (Kan. Ct. App. 1991). “While the district court’s appellate review is de novo under K.S.A. 22-3610(a), the filing of a timely notice of appeal is necessary to invoke the district court’s jurisdiction.”
State v. Thomas, 246 P.3d 678 (Kan. 2011). “Given our conclusion, we need not resolve the parties' dispute on whether the judge who accepted Thomas' waiver was a magistrate judge; whether under K.S.A. 20-302b(a) magistrate judges in the 8th judicial district may actually hear "felony arraignments subject to assignment…”
Show all 24 citing cases →
— K.S.A. § 20-302b(a) — 5 cases
State v. Valladarez, 206 P.3d 879 (Kan. 2009). “K.S.A. 20-302b does not allow a Magistrate Judge to hear a plea of guilty or no contest.”
J.B.B. v. J.L.B., 495 P.3d 1036 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021). “If the appeal is an action within the jurisdiction of a district magistrate judge, the appeal shall be under K.S.A. 20-302b, and amendments thereto." Turning then to K.”
State v. Thomas, 246 P.3d 678 (Kan. 2011). “Given our conclusion, we need not resolve the parties' dispute on whether the judge who accepted Thomas' waiver was a magistrate judge; whether under K.S.A. 20-302b(a) magistrate judges in the 8th judicial district may actually hear "felony arraignments subject to assignment…”
Brown v. Zimmerman, 506 P.3d 300 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “5 For his part, Brown argues that the district court properly applied K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-302b. Brown acknowledges Zimmerman's claim that as an overall rule, specific statutes ordinarily control over general statutes.”
State v. Oliver, 186 P.3d 1220 (Kan. Ct. App. 2008).
— K.S.A. § 20-302b(a)(6) — 3 cases
State v. N.R., 451 P.3d 877 (Kan. Ct. App. 2019).
In the Interest of K. J., 737 P.2d 874 (Kan. Ct. App. 1987).
In Re Kj, 737 P.2d 874 (Kan. Ct. App. 1987).
— K.S.A. § 20-302b(c) — 12 cases
Ben J. v. City of Salina, 208 P.3d 739 (Kan. 2009). “Had this process not be guaranteed, the nature of appellate review would change or even be impossible.”
In the Interest of L.C.W., 211 P.3d 829 (Kan. Ct. App. 2009). “Whether its review is on the record or based on a new trial, the district court is to make a de novo determination, and the procedure is governed by K.S.A. 20-302b(c) and K.S.A. 2008 Supp. 60-2103a.”
State v. Kleen, 896 P.2d 376 (Kan. 1995). “*914 The State argues that K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 20-302b(c) and K.S.A. 1994 Supp.”
In Re the Est. of Kempkes, 603 P.2d 642 (Kan. Ct. App. 1979). “Although a magistrate judge and a district judge have certain concurrent jurisdiction, including probate actions (K.S.A. 1978 Supp. 20-302b[a]), it is statutorily provided that an appeal from a decision or order of a magistrate judge be tried and determined by a district judge…”
State v. Farmer, 909 P.2d 1154 (Kan. 1996). “2d 376 (1995), that "K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 20-302b(c) provides for a de novo appeal before a district judge from a district magistrate judge `in accordance with the limitations and procedure presented by law.”
— K.S.A. § 20-302b(c)(2) — 3 cases
Brown v. Zimmerman, 506 P.3d 300 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “5 For his part, Brown argues that the district court properly applied K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-302b. Brown acknowledges Zimmerman's claim that as an overall rule, specific statutes ordinarily control over general statutes.”
J.B.B. v. J.L.B., 495 P.3d 1036 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021). “If the appeal is an action within the jurisdiction of a district magistrate judge, the appeal shall be under K.S.A. 20-302b, and amendments thereto." Turning then to K.”
Smith v. Anguiano (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 20-302b(c)(2)(A) — 1 case
Brown v. Zimmerman, 506 P.3d 300 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “5 For his part, Brown argues that the district court properly applied K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-302b. Brown acknowledges Zimmerman's claim that as an overall rule, specific statutes ordinarily control over general statutes.”
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