Sedgwick County District Judge John Kisner Jr. to retire

TOPEKA—Sedgwick County District Judge John Kisner Jr. will retire January 14, 2019, after more than 15 years on the bench.

Kisner was appointed to fill a judge vacancy in the 18th Judicial District, which is composed of Sedgwick County, in July 2003. He currently is assigned to the criminal division. Kisner previously served as presiding judge of the criminal division and as judge for the drug court program.

"It has been an honor to serve as a district court judge," Kisner said. "I will forever appreciate the importance of the judicial system to each and everyone one of us. My own experiences have led me to recognize that Kansas has a lot of fine people who have and continue to fulfill the vision that Madison, Washington, Hamilton, and the others had for our judicial system. I hope in the years ahead, those placed in positions of power in our state will give more consideration to the needs of this system."

Kisner earned a bachelor's degree from Wichita State University and a law degree from Washburn University School of Law.

Before being appointed to the bench, he was special counsel for the Kansas Corporation Commission and assistant district attorney and then deputy district attorney for the 18th Judicial District.