31st Judicial District Commission to interview nominees for two district magistrate positions

TOPEKA—The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 6, to interview nominees for two district magistrate judge vacancies. 
 
One position is in Allen County and the other in Neosho County. 
 
One position was created by Judge Tod Davis’ appointment as district judge. The other was among the positions 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. 
 
The 31st Judicial District is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties. 

Public access 
  
Interviews are open to the public. They will take place at: 
  
Judicial Center 
Second floor courtroom 
102 S Lincoln Ave.  
Chanute, KS 
  
The interview schedule will be announced once it’s finalized.   
  
The nominees are: 

• Charles Apt III, Iola, attorney, Apt Law Offices LLC 

• Melissa Dugan, Chanute, attorney, Dugan Law LLC 

• Harry Edward Frock, Miami, Oklahoma, previous Scott County district magistrate judge 

• Zelda Schlotterbeck, Yates Center, attorney, Young Williams Child Support Enforcement 

Accommodation 
  
Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the nominating commission meeting should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible: 
  
ADA Coordinator 
ADA@kscourts.org 
785-296-2256 
TTY at 711 
  
Eligibility requirements 
  
A nominee for district magistrate judge must be: 

• a resident of Allen County (for the Allen County position), and Neosho County (for the 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. 

Kansas statute requires one resident judge per county. This mandate may affect residency requirements. 
  
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.