31st Judicial District Nominating Commission selects two for magistrate judge positions

TOPEKA—The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Charles Apt III and Melissa Dugan to fill two district magistrate positions.  

Apt is currently an attorney for Apt Law Offices LLC. He fills a vacancy created by Judge Tod Davis’ appointment as district judge. 

Dugan is currently an attorney at Dugan Law LLC. She fills a new position that was among several certified by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2022-JA-020 after the Kansas Legislature passed and the governor signed 2022 House Substitute for Substitute for Senate Bill No. 267 to fund them.  

Their new positions will be effective on their swearing-in.  

The 31st Judicial District is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.  

Eligibility requirements  
  
A nominee for district magistrate judge must be:  

• a resident of Allen County (Allen County position) or Neosho County (Neosho County position) at the time of taking office and while holding office;  

• a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and  

• either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination to become certified within 18 months.    

The nominating commission selects whom to appoint to fill magistrate judge positions. 

Term of office 

After serving one year in office, a new 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. 

Nominating commission 

The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Evelyn Wilson as the nonvoting chair; Richard Pringle, Chanute; Nancy Burns and John Chenoweth, Fredonia; Douglas Depew, Neodesha; Craig Mentzer, Neosho Falls; Shelia Lampe, Piqua; Donald Greg Taylor, Stark.