Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 20-334 (2026)

Qualifications of judges of the district court

✓ current as of May 2026

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20-334. Qualifications of judges of the district court. (a) Subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 20-2909, and amendments thereto, any person who is elected, retained in office or appointed as a district judge shall:

(1) Have been regularly admitted to practice law in the state of Kansas;

(2) be a resident of the judicial district for which elected or appointed to serve at the time of taking the oath of office and shall maintain residency in the judicial district while holding office; and

(3) for a period of at least five years, have engaged in the active practice of law as a lawyer, judge of a court of record or any court in this state, full-time teacher of law in an accredited law school or any combination thereof.

(b) Any person who is elected, retained in office or appointed as a district magistrate judge shall:

(1) Be a graduate of a high school or secondary school or the equivalent thereof;

(2) be a resident of the county for which elected or appointed to serve at the time of taking the oath of office and shall maintain residency in the county while holding office; and

(3) if not regularly admitted to practice law in Kansas, be certified by the supreme court, in the manner prescribed by K.S.A. 20-337, and amendments thereto, as qualified to serve as a district magistrate judge.

History: L. 1976, ch. 146, § 14; L. 1978, ch. 111, § 2; L. 1979, ch. 82, § 1; L. 1980, ch. 94, § 7; L. 1986, ch. 115, § 37; L. 1999, ch. 159, § 3; July 1.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 2 cases, 1978–2001 · leading case: Sinclair v. Schroeder, 586 P.2d 683 (Kan. 1978).

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Sinclair v. Schroeder, 586 P.2d 683 (Kan. 1978). · cites it 3× “and who has not been regularly admitted to practice law in Kansas, as required by subsection (c) (3) of K.S.A. 1976 Supp. 20-334, shall be issued a temporary certificate permitting such judge to commence upon the duties of office, conditioned that such judge becomes certified as…”

Newberry v. Befort, 20 P.3d 1281 (Kan. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 5× “” K.S.A. 20-334(a)(1). However, a district magistrate judge does not have to be an attorney.”

— K.S.A. § 20-334(a)(1) — 1 case

Newberry v. Befort, 20 P.3d 1281 (Kan. Ct. App. 2001). “” K.S.A. 20-334(a)(1). However, a district magistrate judge does not have to be an attorney.”

— K.S.A. § 20-334(b) — 1 case

Newberry v. Befort, 20 P.3d 1281 (Kan. Ct. App. 2001). “” K.S.A. 20-334(a)(1). However, a district magistrate judge does not have to be an attorney.”

— K.S.A. § 20-334(c) — 1 case

Sinclair v. Schroeder, 586 P.2d 683 (Kan. 1978). “and who has not been regularly admitted to practice law in Kansas, as required by subsection (c) (3) of K.S.A. 1976 Supp. 20-334, shall be issued a temporary certificate permitting such judge to commence upon the duties of office, conditioned that such judge becomes certified as…”

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