Kansas Public Records /Kansas Court Records Online

Kansas Court Records Online

Are Court Records in Kansas Open to the Public?

Yes, court records in Kansas are generally open to the public under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA). This law grants individuals the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records created or maintained by state and local government authorities, except where restricted by another law. In Kansas, a public record is defined as any recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, which is made, kept, or possessed by any public agency.

To receive these records, requesters must provide specific information to facilitate the search, such as the case number, names of the parties involved, or the date of the hearing. Some records may be exempt from disclosure if they contain confidential information or if their release is prohibited by judicial rule or federal or state law.

What Information Appears in a Kansas Court Records Search?

A Kansas court records search may reveal the following information:

Case number
Names of parties involved
Court decisions and final judgments
Case timelines and hearing dates
Court budgets
Certified oaths of office
Transcripts and case files

How To Find Court Records in Kansas

To obtain court records in Kansas, start by identifying the courthouse where the case was filed. Kansas court records are maintained by Clerks of Courts in both electronic and paper formats.

Requesters can access these records by:

Visiting the local courthouse in person to obtain a paper copy or use a public access terminal for electronic copies.
Accessing the Kansas Courts or the local courthouse website for remote electronic access, where available.

Some jurisdictions may charge a fee for accessing these records. For example, online searches through the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration portal cost $1.50 per search and an additional $1.50 per case retrieved.

Public Access to Kansas Court Records

Online access to court records from Kansas District Courts is available through the Kansas eCourt Public Access Portal. This centralized case management system provides case information for several judicial districts. Users can perform searches by case number, name, attorney name, and other advanced filters.

Searching Kansas Court Records by Name

To search Kansas court records by name, individuals can use the Kansas Appellate Courts Case Inquiry System. By entering the case name in the search box, users can view all cases associated with that name.

Alternatively, the Court Record and Public Access Portals allow searches by party or company name. Public computers at local courthouses also provide access to these records. Requesters must provide identifying information such as case number, party name, or attorney name to facilitate the search.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in Kansas

The Kansas Appellate courts offer a free online search tool via the Appellate Case Inquiry System. Users can access this by navigating to the Cases & Decisions menu on the Kansas Judiciary homepage and selecting the search appellate cases option.

For District Court records, low-cost search options are available through the Court Record and Public Access Portals, with fees starting at $1.50 per search. Bankruptcy records can be accessed through PACER at a cost of $0.10 per page, but public terminals at courthouses offer free viewing.

Exemptions for Kansas Court Case Lookup

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under the Kansas Open Records Act. These include:

Adoption records
Juvenile records
Grand jury proceedings
Expunged criminal records
Criminal investigation records
Sealed cases and records

These confidential records are restricted to the subjects of the records, their attorneys, and government agents. Access to these records requires a court order.

Finding a Court Docket in Kansas

Court dockets in Kansas list each case to be heard, the hearing time, and the allotted time for attorneys' arguments. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals dockets can be found on the Kansas Judicial Branch website. Users can view past and upcoming dockets by scrolling through the docket pages.

What Information Is Found in Kansas Judgment Records?

Kansas judgment records typically contain:

Names of litigants
Judge's name
Judgment date
Case description
Court's decision and issued judgment

These records are public and can be obtained by visiting the clerk's office in person and submitting a formal request.

Are Bankruptcy Records in Kansas Publicly Accessible?

Yes, Kansas bankruptcy records are publicly accessible. Requesters must provide identifying details such as the debtor's name or case number. These records can be obtained by querying the record custodian in the judicial district where the filing was made and may require a nominal fee for copying.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in Kansas

Bankruptcy records can be requested at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Kansas office or through the PACER tool for $0.10 per page. In-person requests can be made at the court's Clerk's Office, where public terminals are available for searches. Paper copies and certified copies incur additional fees.

For closed bankruptcy records not available online, the National Archives Records Administration (NARA) office provides access. Requests can be made through the Clerk's Office, and payment can be made via cash, money order, or personal check for attorneys.

Different Types of Courts in Kansas

Kansas judicial system includes:

Supreme Court: Highest court, sets legal precedents.
Court of Appeals: Intermediate appellate court for civil and criminal cases.
District Courts: Trial courts with general jurisdiction over various cases.
Municipal Courts: Handle city ordinance violations, traffic, and minor offenses.
Specialty Courts: Problem-solving courts, including Drug Courts, Veterans Treatment Courts, Behavioral Health Courts, and Youth Courts.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in Kansas

Kansas civil cases are heard in District Courts when the amount in controversy exceeds $200,000. These cases can involve property disputes, restraining orders, and name changes.

Small claims courts handle disputes involving amounts up to $4,000. These courts provide a rapid, low-cost forum for resolving simple claims. Attorneys are not allowed to represent parties before judgment, except in specific circumstances. Small claims cases are filed in the District Court where the defendant resides or the incident occurred. Appeals from small claims decisions are heard in District Courts, requiring new court fees for the appeal.

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