Court Rules


Rule 6 - Assignment of Judges, Cases, and Transfer of Cases

Rule 6.2.1 - Judge Assignment

Rule 6.2.1 – Judge Assignment

1. Assignment of circuit judges shall be made by the presiding judge, on a calendar year basis, except when circumstances warrant a change in assignment at other times during the year. Initial assignments shall be made at least six months in advance of the effective date of the assignments. The Presiding Judge shall have the discretion to determine the allocation of judges between the civil/criminal and family court assignments. All assignments by the presiding judge shall be posted on the court’s website within five days of the date of the scheduling order.

2. The Presiding Judge shall enter an initial administrative order which may be amended if necessary, by July 1 of each even-numbered year scheduling twelve-week cycles for the following two calendar years. Each week shall be numbered one through twelve, with the exception of the week of the Judicial Conference, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week. The Presiding Judge will designate which division(s) are authorized to schedule civil, domestic and criminal trials each week. A division must not schedule a type of case for trial unless authorized to do so pursuant to the schedule adopted by the Presiding Judge or unless specifically authorized to do so pursuant to a written exception granted by the Presiding Judge, provided, however, each division may be given an optional week during which either civil, domestic or criminal cases may be scheduled for trial, at the division’s discretion.

3. The Presiding Judge shall designate one judge as the Family Court Administrative Judge at least six months in advance of the effective date of the assignment. The Family Court Administrative Judge shall perform those duties specified in Local Rule 6.2.5 or as otherwise assigned by the Presiding Judge, by statute or by local rule.
4. The Presiding Judge shall assign a judge as the Criminal “A” judge in Kansas City for a designated period. The judges assigned as the Criminal “A” judges shall conduct arraignments and supervise the assignment of cases to all circuit judges with combined assignments for disposition. The Presiding Judge shall also designate a judge or judges in Independence to conduct arraignments and supervise the assignment of cases. The Presiding Judge may also designate a judge or commissioner in Kansas City and a judge in Independence to preside over drug cases.