Shawnee County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Created in 1855 as one of the first original counties made by the territorial legislature, Shawnee County was named after one of the indigenous tribes that inhabited the area, the Shawnee Tribe. Its seat and most populous city is Topeka, which is also the state capital. With a population of over 178,600 people, Shawnee is the third-most populous county in Kansas. Its court system consists of a District Court and Municipal Courts. These courts handle a wide variety of cases, including both civil and criminal matters.

The District Court in Shawnee County is located in Topeka. This Court has broad authority to handle cases such as misdemeanors, felonies, divorce, domestic relations, probate, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health cases, matters involving minors, and small claims. Additionally, the cities of Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, and Topeka have Municipal Courts that operate at the city level. These Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over traffic violations, minor criminal offenses, and city ordinance violations. A Municipal Court can impose jail terms and fines of up to $2,500.

According to the Kansas Crime Index, Shawnee County experienced 7,226 crime incidents in 2022, including 1,354 violent crimes and 5,872 property crimes. The county's District Court also handles approximately 3,000 criminal cases and 22,000 civil actions annually. The Clerk of the District Court is the official custodian of all records generated in that court. These records are stored digitally or on microfilm. Court records in Shawnee County are generally accessible to the public unless restricted by law or court order. Examples of sealed court records in the county include juvenile, adoption, mental health, and domestic violence records. If access is needed to such records, an additional court order may be required, or special permission from authorized personnel can be granted at the County Clerk's Office. Residents may search for digital court records online or at the public access terminals in the courthouse. In addition to online access, interested persons may obtain copies of district court documents from the District Clerk by filling out the Records Request Form and paying the appropriate fees. Each Municipal Court maintains records of its proceedings.

In summary, the District and Municipal Courts make up Shawnee County's trial court system. These courts handle a wide variety of cases and ensure access to justice. Furthermore, by maintaining and granting public access to court records, Shawnee County enhances transparency in legal proceedings.