FAQs

If you wake up sick the day you are to appear as a prospective juror please call the Clerk of the District Court at 8:00 a.m., ahead of the summoned time. We do not want to you come for jury service if you are truly ill; however, we do need to know so we can excuse you, if needed, and send a summons for a later date. (Remember a juror needs to be available two times or appear once before their service is complete for at least one year.)rnrnIf you are summoned in Lyon County call 620-341-3280 or 620-341-3283.rnrnIf you are summoned in Chase County call 620-273-6319.

Jurors should dress comfortably but appropriately for the courtroom. Torn jeans, shorts, and halter tops are not acceptable. Courtrooms are often cool, so you might want to bring a jacket or sweater.

A telephone answering service is available to keep you informed of the latest information we have concerning your jury service. Call the number below anytime after 5:00 p.m. the day before you are to appear. If you are summoned for a Monday trial, the message is turned on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and will be on until 8:00 a.m. Monday morning. If the line is busy, please try again later. In the event the trial has been cancelled and a message is recorded at the above number, you will not be paid juror fees or mileage if you appear at the courthouse. The Clerk of the District Court will not call you in the event of a cancellation. It is your obligation to call as directed above to see if you are needed as summoned.rnrnIf you are summoned in Lyon County call 620-341-3400.rnrnIf you are summoned in Chase County call 620-273-6319.

The following persons shall be excused from jury service (K.S.A. 43-158 as amended provides). Persons unable to understand the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to respond to a jury questionnaire form prepared by the commissioner;rnb. Persons under adjudication of incompetency. Persons who within ten (10 ) years immediately preceding have been convicted of or pleaded guilty, or nolo contendere, to an indictment or information charging a felony;rnd. Persons who have served as jurors in the country within one (1 ) year immediately preceding; andrne. A mother breastfeeding her child. Jury service shall be postponed until such mother is no longer breastfeeding the child.rnIn addition the court may excuse the following persons (K.S.A. 43-159 provided):rna. Persons so physically or mentally infirm as to be unequal to the task of ordinary jury duty. Persons whose presence elsewhere is required for the public welfare, health, or safety. Persons for whom jury service would cause extraordinary or compelling personal hardship. Persons whose personal relationship to the parties or whose information or interest in the case to be tried is such that there is a probability such persons would find it difficult to be impartial.

People are not automatically excluded from jury duty because of their age. Often these individuals make really good jurors and enjoy serving. In Lyon and Chase County people who are 65 years of age or older, who are unable to serve or wish not to serve, can request to be removed from the the prospective juror list by contacting the Clerk of the District Court office.

At the time you appear for jury service a Certificate of Jury Service will be given to you. It will need to be completed and turned in to the district court at the end of your service. Payment for jury service is $10.00 for the first day and $40.00 for any additional days. Jurors that live outside the  city limits can also include one round trip per day and the total miles will be figured at the state rate. Payment will be mailed to you following your jury service. Reimbursement is made by the county 4-5 weeks later. (This will be explained in detail at the time you are summoned.)rnrnPlease note that it is your responsibility to know your employer's policy in regard to Jury Service reimbursement. Some employers request that the jury service payment go to their business, other employers say that it is ok for the juror/employee to receive the payment, and a few employers request that neither the employer nor the juror/employee receive the Jury Service payment. This is separate from any mileage that the juror may be entitled to.

It is up to the individual discretion of each judge. In general, it is not permitted. The judges feel it is important that jurors focus their attention on witnesses and information rather than on taking notes.

If the prospective juror has a situation making it difficult to serve during a given time, it is the responsibility of that juror to contact the Clerk of the District Court. A request to be excused from a summoned date should be considered denied unless a written communication granting the request is received from the court. Written requests should be submitted to Lyon County District Court. We realize situations occur that can make it difficult to serve during a summoned date. When possible, we make an effort to work with our jurors. If notified in advance of dates involving vacation, medical, or business trips, etc., we make every effort to not use that person during the given time-frame. However, keep in mind, jurors must be available two times or appear once as summoned before service is complete for at least one year. Jury Service is the duty of all citizens, including employers and employees. Employers must not reprimand you for jury service. If needed, district court will provide documentation of your attendance for your employer. At the end of your jury service an Employer Excuse for Jury Duty-Time can be issued, upon request, by the Clerk of the District Court. This is only one excuse for the whole trial, given at the end of the trial, not one for each day.rnrnIf you are summoned in Lyon County call 620-341-3280 or 620-341-3283. you are summoned in Chase County call 620-273-6319.

The Fifth Judicial District primarily uses the list of licensed drivers provided by the state. A computer randomly selects a pool of prospective jurors. If your mailing address is incorrect on the summons, it is usually because the information on the driver’s license list is incorrect. Sometimes a person may have more that one entry if the last name has changed or had been spelled incorrectly. The Clerk of the District Court tries to catch duplicates; however, it would be helpful if you notice that you have received two different questionnaires in a short time to notify our office.

You do not need to bring anything with you. You may want to bring a jacket, book, or something else to do during the brief period of waiting.

Children may not come to court with you. The district court does not provide daycare for jurors. You are responsible for arranging care for your children. Parents with children at home are not automatically excused from service.

A juror needs to be available two times, both of which were not deferred, or appear at the courthouse once before service is complete for at least one year. Appearance is required if the message, when called, says that the juror is needed on the date and time summoned. All jury panels are called to serve for one trial, which usually involves two or three days. Jury Service is one of the highest duties of citizenship and one that no good citizen should shirk. Your willingness to serve as a juror indicates your faith in the principle of free government. You should not ask to be excused except for serious and compelling reasons.

Emporia the parking spaces around the courthouse are timed. Please park in the lots east of Mechanic Street between the railroad tracks and 5^th Avenue.

Once the completed questionnaire is returned, District Court staff will review the information to see if you are qualified for future service. It is required by state law that each question be answered on the Confidential Jury Questionnaire. The questions asked in the questionnaire are questions that could be asked of you in open court by the judge and attorneys. You are given more privacy by answering them on the confidential questionnaire. Failure or refusal to answer these questions will subject you to citation for contempt of court as provided for by Kansas Law.

A Medical Statement from your physician is required to permanently remove you from the jury list. If you have a situation like pending surgery, immobility from a broken leg, etc., your service can be postponed for up to 6 months without a medical statement. You need to be specific and have communication with the Clerk of the District Court office.

Please notify court personnel at the end of your service if you need a letter verifying your jury service. The Clerk of the District Court will provide Employer Excuse for Jury Duty - Time upon request. This is only one excuse for the whole trial, given at the end of the trial, not one for each day.

Yes. Your address and phone number are only viewed by the jury coordinator.

Jury service in Lyon County involves two steps: First, a jury questionnaire will be sent that the prospective juror completes and returns; Second, a date specific summons will be sent to a qualified prospective juror including instructions to follow. Jury service in Chase County involves one step. You will receive a summons that includes the date you are to appear as well as the questionnaire that needs to be completed and returned to the court within seven days.

Please indicate the information on the jury questionnaire and return it. It is very helpful if we know approximately when the prospective juror will return to our area and be available for jury service. The Clerk of the District Court office can adjust the list to reflect either a permanent move or even postpone service a few years until they have returned to our area.

Please call 620-341-3400 and listen to the entire message.

On the questionnaire please indicate the county that you reside in and return it as requested. Some people live near county lines and will receive an incorrect jury questionnaire from our county.

"Forever Parenting" is a class for parents who are in conflict with parenting issues. The class must be court-ordered. The only cost is a small fee for the book used in the class.

Mediation must be ordered by the court.

No, this is a free service provided by the court.

No, only the parties involved in the case.

The Fifth Judicial District has three volunteer Citizens Review Boards who review juvenile court cases involving Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases. The boards make recommendations to the Court with the goal of providing safe, permanent homes to children, or probation recommendations for juvenile offenders. Cases are reviewed by the board periodically. Volunteers are appointed by the Court to serve on the Citizens Review Boards. The volunteers receive extensive training and must pass KBI background checks. CRBs conform to the rules of the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration, which provides oversight and funding.

No, your probation officer is assigned by the Chief Court Services Officer.

Please provide your court case number when making a payment. All payments can be made in person to the Clerk of the District Court on the second floor of the courthouse. Check or money order payments can be mailed to: Clerk of the District Court Lyon County Courthouse 430 Commercial Street Emporia, KS 66801 or Clerk of the District Court Chase County Courthouse 300 Pearl PO Box 529rn Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845 Traffic Payments to the Court may be made online at www.citepayusa.com/ks

There are several local treatment providers approved by the court to prepare alcohol/drug evaluations. Court Services has a list of these agencies and can assist with referrals.

Conditions of probation must be reviewed and signed with the Fifth Judicial Court Services Officer. After conditions have been signed and with the approval of the CSOs in both counties, supervision of your probation can be transferred to your county of residence.

Once the original license is returned to our office, you can request certified copies from the Kansas Department of Vital Statistics in the following ways:

1. Walk-in: Go to Curtis State Office Bldg., 1000 SW Jackson, Ste 120, Topeka, KS – hours open are   9 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays. Payment can be made by cash, check, money-order, or credit card.

2. Internet: Access www.vitalchek.com anytime. Payment made by credit card. See webpage for fees charged.

3. Telephone: Call 1-877-305-6315 available 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Payment made by credit card. Spanish interpreters available.

4. Regular/Priority Mail: Send request by regular mail or priority mail service. Payment made by check or money order. You can obtain the application on-line at:
https://www.kdheks.gov/vital/marriage_howto_regular_mail.html
Any questions please call: 785-296-1400

5. Download the App through your device app store. Search for “IKAN” (select IKan-State of Kansas). Payment made by credit card.