Seward County Law Enforcement Center Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Seward County Kansas
Seward County Courts in Liberal, Kansas
The Seward County District Court sits at 415 N. Washington Ave., Suite 103, in Liberal, phone 620-626-3375, handling felonies, state misdemeanors, civil, family and juvenile cases. Liberal Municipal Court, a block south at 325 N. Washington, hears city ordinance and traffic cases.
1. District court
Seward County District Court, 415 N. Washington Ave., Suite 103, Liberal, KS 67901; 620-626-3375, fax 620-626-3302.
↑ Back to the question list2. If a judge in Liberal issued a warrant
Bench warrants from the Liberal courthouse are served by the Seward County Sheriff's Office. Deputies don't post warrants online, but they'll answer questions at 620-309-2000. Warrants aren't searchable statewide in Kansas; Kansas CaseSearch carries this courthouse's filings. Your lawyer can call the Seward County Jail and line up a surrender at a time you choose and talk with the court about bond first. Court dates are reset by the district court clerk, 415 N. Washington Ave., Suite 103, at 620-626-3375.
↑ Back to the question list3. Municipal court
Liberal Municipal Court, 325 N. Washington Ave., Liberal, KS 67901; 620-626-0143; Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dockets run Monday afternoons, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and afternoons, with contested matters on Thursday. Fines can be paid by phone at 844-635-0457; diversion, probation and community service are available on city cases.
↑ Back to the question list4. 26th Judicial District
The 26th Judicial District is a six-county southwest district (Seward plus Grant, Haskell, Morton, Stanton and Stevens); its chief judge is based in Liberal, with district judges also in Morton and Stevens.
↑ Back to the question list5. First appearance
In Suite 103 the defendant learns the complaint, bond is confirmed or changed, and counsel is discussed (K.S.A. 22-2901). Felony preliminary hearings are due within 14 days unless delayed for cause (K.S.A. 22-2902).
↑ Back to the question list6. Appointed counsel
Ask the judge, then complete the financial affidavit; the Board of Indigents' Defense Services (785-296-6631) funds the lawyer.
↑ Back to the question list7. Case search
District cases appear on Kansas CaseSearch; pick the county from the list or call 620-626-3375. City tickets are not on CaseSearch, so call 620-626-0143. Nebraska also has a Seward County; its records are unrelated.
↑ Back to the question list8. Custody
Defendants held for either court stay at the Seward County Jail, 501 N. Washington Ave., Liberal, KS 67901, 620-309-2012. Bond steps are on our bail page.
↑ Back to the question list9. Federal court
Federal charges from the Liberal area go to Wichita: U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, 401 N. Market, Room 204, Wichita, KS 67202; 316-315-4200. U.S. Marshals, Wichita: 316-765-6339.
↑ Back to the question list10. Immigration
A detainer does not stop the state case, and the jail can keep someone "up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released" (8 CFR 287.7(d)). ICE Chicago: 872-351-3990; ICE locator. Deposits: our money page.
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