Gove County Jail Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Gove County Kansas
Gove County Courts in Gove, Kansas
Criminal cases are filed at the courthouse at 420 Broad St. in the town of Gove, even though defendants held in custody wait in another county's jail. The county sits in the 23rd Judicial District, which is anchored in Hays. The clerk's number is 785-938-2310, and case records are open on Kansas CaseSearch.
1. Which courts hear Gove County cases?
- Gove County District Court: Gove County Courthouse, 420 Broad St., P.O. Box 97, Gove, KS 67736; 785-938-2310; fax 785-938-2312. It hears all state crimes, traffic and juvenile matters.
- Municipal courts: under K.S.A. 12-4104 a city may run a court for its own ordinances.
2. Warrants from the courthouse in Gove
Bench warrants from the district court in Gove are served by the Gove County Sheriff's Office, which has no warrant list online but answers questions at 785-938-2250. Searching warrants statewide isn't possible in Kansas, though the county's case files are on Kansas CaseSearch. The county's prisoners go to the Trego County Jail in WaKeeney (785-743-5721) or the Thomas County Jail in Colby (785-460-4570), so ask the sheriff which one before a lawyer arranges your surrender. The district court clerk works at 420 Broad St. and can be reached at 785-938-2310 about a new date.
↑ Back to the question list3. Who is the judge?
A district magistrate judge is assigned to Gove County and handles first appearances, misdemeanors and traffic. The 23rd District's two district judges sit in Ellis County and take the felony trials, which means felony dates in Gove depend on their travel, and a hearing might be by video from the holding jail.
↑ Back to the question list4. What are the steps in a case?
- First appearance: charges read, bond and counsel addressed.
- Preliminary hearing in a felony.
- Arraignment and plea.
- Discovery and motions.
- Plea agreement or trial.
- Sentencing.
5. How do I look up a case or check for a warrant?
Search Kansas CaseSearch and choose this county from the list. For a warrant question, call the sheriff in Gove at 785-938-2250 with the full name and birth date.
↑ Back to the question list6. How is a public lawyer appointed?
At the first appearance, the defendant asks for counsel and swears to a financial statement. If the judge approves, the state pays for counsel through the Board of Indigents' Defense (785-296-6631).
↑ Back to the question list7. Where is a defendant kept before trial?
In a contract jail; the sheriff names the Trego County Jail, 525 Warren Avenue, Wakeeney, KS 67672 (785-743-5721) and the Thomas County Jail, 275 N. Court, Colby, KS 67701 (785-460-4570). Ask Gove at 785-938-2250 which applies. Our Gove County bail page covers release, and our inmate search page covers VINE.
↑ Back to the question list8. Where do federal cases go?
To the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas; the Wichita clerk's office is at 401 N. Market, Room 204, Wichita, KS 67202, 316-315-4200. A federal magistrate decides detention. Search the BOP locator for federal prisoners.
↑ Back to the question list9. Was the defendant sentenced to KDOC?
Look them up in KASPER. Our Kansas state prisons page lists each prison's phone.
↑ Back to the question list10. Does an immigration detainer end the case?
No. The local case continues. Meanwhile the detainer gives the jail as much as 48 additional hours of custody, with and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays fall within that time. Should ICE take the person, defense counsel tells the judge. The ICE locator shows the detainee's location.
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