Leavenworth County Court Records
What Is Leavenworth County Court Records
Court records in Leavenworth County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Pursuant to Kansas Statutes § 45-217(g)(1), court records are classified as public records maintained by public agencies for official purposes.
Court records differ from other public records such as property records (deeds, mortgages, liens) and vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates). The distinction lies in their creation and maintenance within the judicial system rather than administrative government offices.
In Leavenworth County, court records are maintained by several courts:
- District Court (general jurisdiction)
- Municipal Courts (limited jurisdiction)
- Probate Court (specialized division)
- Family Court (specialized division)
- Small Claims Court (limited jurisdiction)
These records document proceedings across civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. The Kansas Judicial Branch maintains standards for record-keeping across all courts in the state, including those in Leavenworth County.
Are Court Records Public In Leavenworth County
Court records in Leavenworth County are generally public under the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq.), which establishes the presumption that government records, including court records, should be accessible to the public. Additionally, the Kansas Supreme Court has affirmed the public's right to access court records through Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196.
Public court records typically include:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
- Final dispositions
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the District of Kansas are governed by federal access policies rather than state laws. These records are accessible through the federal PACER system.
Certain records may be restricted from public access, including:
- Juvenile proceedings (except as provided in K.S.A. § 38-2309)
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Cases sealed by judicial order
- Records containing sensitive personal information
The Kansas Judicial Branch provides guidance on public access to court records throughout the state.
How To Find Court Records in Leavenworth County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Leavenworth County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:
- Visit the Leavenworth County District Court in person:
Leavenworth County District Court
601 S. 3rd Street, Suite 3051
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913) 684-0700
Leavenworth County District Court
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Submit a written request to the Clerk of the District Court using the Records Request Form. Requests should include:
- Case number (if known)
- Names of parties involved
- Approximate date of filing
- Type of case
- Specific documents requested
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Access the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal at https://www.kansas.gov/countyCourts/ to search for case information.
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For criminal history records, utilize the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's online record check service at Kansas Criminal History Record Check.
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Contact the specific court where the case was filed:
- For municipal court records, contact the respective city court
- For probate matters, contact the probate division of the District Court
- For traffic cases, contact either the District Court or Municipal Court depending on jurisdiction
Pursuant to K.S.A. § 28-170, fees may apply for copies of court records. Currently, standard copy fees are $0.25 per page for paper copies and additional certification fees may apply.
How To Look Up Court Records in Leavenworth County Online?
Leavenworth County offers several online resources for accessing court records electronically:
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The Kansas District Court Public Access Portal provides case information for Leavenworth County District Court cases. This system is accessible at https://www.kansas.gov/countyCourts/ and allows users to:
- Search by case number
- Search by party name
- View case status and events
- Access docket information
- View scheduled hearings
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The Kansas Courts eCourt system provides electronic access to court records for participating counties. Users can:
- Register for an account
- Search for cases by name or case number
- View non-confidential documents
- Track case progress
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For criminal history information, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation maintains an online portal where users can conduct name-based searches of the Kansas Criminal History database for a fee.
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The Leavenworth County Register of Deeds provides online access to land records, which may include court judgments affecting property.
When searching online, users should have the following information ready:
- Full legal names of parties involved
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range
- Case type
How To Search Leavenworth County Court Records for Free?
Kansas law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in K.S.A. § 45-218(a), which states that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any person." While copying fees may apply, inspection itself is free.
Free options for accessing Leavenworth County court records include:
- In-person inspection at the courthouse during regular business hours:
Leavenworth County District Court
601 S. 3rd Street, Suite 3051
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913) 684-0700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Leavenworth County District Court
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Basic case information searches through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal, which provides free access to:
- Case numbers
- Party names
- Filing dates
- Case types
- Hearing dates
- Case status
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Public access terminals located at the courthouse provide free on-site access to electronic court records with more detailed information than the public website.
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The Leavenworth County Law Library offers free access to legal research materials and may assist with locating publicly available court records.
What's Included in a Leavenworth County Court Record?
Leavenworth County court records typically contain the following components, though content varies by case type:
For Civil Cases:
- Complaint or petition
- Summons and proof of service
- Answers and counterclaims
- Motions and responses
- Discovery documents (if filed with the court)
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts (if prepared)
- Appeal documents (if applicable)
For Criminal Cases:
- Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
- Arrest warrant or summons
- Bond information
- Plea documents
- Motions and responses
- Evidence lists
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (may be confidential)
- Sentencing orders
- Probation/parole documents
- Appeal documents (if applicable)
For Family Law Cases:
- Petitions for divorce, custody, or support
- Financial affidavits
- Parenting plans
- Child support worksheets
- Temporary orders
- Final decrees
- Modification requests
- Enforcement actions
For Probate Cases:
- Petitions for probate
- Inventories of assets
- Wills and codicils
- Letters of administration
- Notices to creditors
- Final accountings
- Distribution orders
Each case file also contains a register of actions (docket sheet) that chronologically lists all events and filings in the case, as required by Kansas Supreme Court Rule 106.
How Long Does Leavenworth County Keep Court Records?
Leavenworth County follows the Kansas Judicial Records Retention Schedule established by the Kansas Supreme Court pursuant to K.S.A. § 20-159. Retention periods vary by record type:
Criminal Case Records:
- Capital murder cases: Permanent retention
- Other felony cases: 50 years after final disposition
- Misdemeanor cases: 10 years after final disposition
- Traffic infractions: 5 years after final disposition
Civil Case Records:
- Cases with monetary judgments: Until satisfaction of judgment plus 5 years
- Divorce cases: 50 years
- Other civil cases: 10 years after final disposition
- Small claims: 5 years after final disposition
Probate Records:
- Wills: Permanent retention
- Estate administration: 30 years after closing
- Guardianships/conservatorships: 30 years after termination
Juvenile Records:
- Juvenile offender cases: Until the individual reaches age 23, then reviewed for possible destruction
- Child in need of care cases: 10 years after the child reaches age 18
Court dockets and judgment indexes are maintained permanently. Electronic records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records. After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed according to approved procedures unless specifically designated for archival preservation.
Types of Courts In Leavenworth County
Leavenworth County's court system consists of several levels of courts, each with specific jurisdictions:
Leavenworth County District Court
601 S. 3rd Street, Suite 3051
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913) 684-0700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Leavenworth County District Court
Leavenworth Municipal Court
100 N. 5th Street
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913) 680-2600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Leavenworth Municipal Court
Lansing Municipal Court
800 First Terrace
Lansing, KS 66043
(913) 727-3233
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Lansing Municipal Court
Tonganoxie Municipal Court
321 Delaware Street
Tonganoxie, KS 66086
(913) 845-2620
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tonganoxie Municipal Court
Basehor Municipal Court
2620 N. 155th Street
Basehor, KS 66007
(913) 724-1370
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Basehor Municipal Court
The court hierarchy in Kansas proceeds from Municipal Courts (limited jurisdiction) to District Courts (general jurisdiction) to the Kansas Court of Appeals and finally to the Kansas Supreme Court. Federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, with appeals going to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and potentially to the U.S. Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Leavenworth County Courts Hear?
Leavenworth County courts adjudicate various case types according to their jurisdictional authority:
District Court handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases with claims exceeding $10,000
- Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate and estate matters
- Juvenile proceedings
- Appeals from municipal courts
- Real estate matters
- Tax appeals
- Mental health commitments
Municipal Courts handle:
- City ordinance violations
- Traffic infractions within city limits
- Limited criminal misdemeanors
- Code enforcement violations
- Parking violations
- Animal control violations
Small Claims Division (within District Court) handles:
- Civil claims not exceeding $4,000
- Simplified procedures for self-represented litigants
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Consumer issues
- Minor contract disputes
Specialized dockets within the District Court include:
- Drug Court
- Veterans Treatment Court
- Mental Health Court
- Family Court
The jurisdiction of these courts is established by Kansas statutes, primarily K.S.A. § 20-301 for District Courts and K.S.A. § 12-4104 for Municipal Courts.
How To Find a Court Docket In Leavenworth County
Court dockets in Leavenworth County can be accessed through several methods:
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Online Access:
- The Kansas District Court Public Access Portal provides docket information for District Court cases
- Search by case number or party name to view the register of actions
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In-Person at the Courthouse:
- Visit the Clerk of the District Court office during business hours
- Request to view docket sheets for specific cases
- Public terminals are available for electronic docket searches
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Daily Court Calendars:
- Current day's hearing schedules are typically posted near courtrooms
- Weekly court calendars may be available at the clerk's office
- Some hearing schedules are posted on the Leavenworth County District Court website
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By Written Request:
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of the District Court
- Include case number or party names and approximate date range
- Specify that you are seeking the docket sheet or register of actions
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For Municipal Courts:
- Contact the specific municipal court directly
- Docket information may be available through city websites or by phone
Docket sheets typically contain chronological listings of all filings, hearings, and court actions in a case, providing a roadmap of the case's progress through the court system.
Which Courts in Leavenworth County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Kansas, a "court of record" is defined by K.S.A. § 20-101 as a court that is required to keep a record of its proceedings and has the authority to fine or imprison. Courts not of record typically do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings and have limited authority.
In Leavenworth County, the following are not courts of record:
- Municipal Courts (unless they have specifically elected to become courts of record)
- Leavenworth Municipal Court
- Lansing Municipal Court
- Tonganoxie Municipal Court
- Basehor Municipal Court
- Linwood Municipal Court
These municipal courts handle ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and minor misdemeanors. Their proceedings are not typically recorded verbatim, though they do maintain case files and dockets. Appeals from these courts are heard "de novo" (anew) in District Court, meaning the case is essentially retried rather than reviewed based on a transcript.
The Leavenworth County District Court, by contrast, is a court of record. All proceedings are recorded, either by court reporter or electronic means, creating an official record that can be transcribed for appeal purposes. Appeals from District Court are based on the official record and legal arguments rather than new trials.
Lookup Court Records in Leavenworth County
Leavenworth County District Court Records