District magistrate judge selected for Barber County

TOPEKA—The 30th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Candace R. Lattin of Iuka to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Barber County.

The commission conducted public interviews of nominees for the position today in Medicine Lodge. Five people had applied for the opening.

Lattin's new position will be effective upon her swearing-in. She is a practicing attorney in Pratt County.

The 30th Judicial District is composed of Barber, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner counties.

The vacancy was created when District Magistrate Judge Richard Raleigh vacated the position July 6.

Kansas law requires that a magistrate judge:

• be a resident of the county at the time of swearing-in and while serving;

• be at least 30 years old;

• have graduated from a high school, secondary school, or the equivalent; and

• either be a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or pass an examination given by the Kansas Supreme Court and become certified within 18 months.

After serving one year in office, the new magistrate judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

Supreme Court Justice Carol Beier is the nonvoting chair of the 30th Judicial District Nominating Commission. Members are Sidney Burkholder, Harper; Lance Dixon, Kingman; Robert Eisenhauer, Pratt; Elaine Esparza, Harper; Alan Goering, Medicine Lodge; Gregory Graffman, Kingman; Melvin Matlock, Belle Plaine; Jason Roberts, Pratt; Richard Swayden, Medicine Lodge; and Phillip Unruh, Harper.