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Municipal Court & Prosecution
Overview
The Legal Department is dedicated to providing outstanding and ethical legal services on behalf of the City of Garden City. It includes the City Attorney's Office and Municipal Court. The legal counsel (prosecutor) position is a contract position held by Jennifer Cunningham with Doering, Grisell, and Cunningham.
City Attorney
The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice to the City Commission, boards, and administration. As general counsel, the Office drafts and reviews ordinances, contracts, legal opinions, and other documents. The office assists city officials with the development of projects, policies, and programs and represents the city in litigation.
The City Attorney's Office does not advise residents or members of the general public in private legal issues. Persons needing legal advice or other assistance should consider contacting a private attorney.
Municipal Court
The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over certain offenses committed within the city limits of Garden City.
The Municipal Court handles approximately 3,000 cases each year. Municipal Court cases are appealed to the District Court, and city prosecutors represent the city on appeal.
To view City Ordinances click here.
Case Policies
No Valid Driver’s License/Driving While License Suspended
- If you were charged with No Valid Driver’s License or Driving While License Canceled, Suspended, or Revoked and you now have a license, you may provide your license at the Garden City Municipal Court window to pay your case and avoid having to be present at your court date. Contact the GCMC office for the exact amount.
No Driver's License in Possession
- If this is the only violation on your citation and you present your license at the Garden City Municipal Court before your court date, your case will be dismissed.
Insurance
If you were charged with Failure to Provide Proof of Liability Insurance and you have insurance that was valid at the time of your citation, you can provide it to the Garden City Municipal Court within 10 days to dismiss that charge.
If insurance is provided after 10 days, contact the Municipal Court for options.
Child Passenger Restraint
If proof of owning a child passenger restraint system is provided to the court, the case will be dismissed upon payment of $75 court cost.
- I missed my court date. What do I do?
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- Contact the Garden City Municipal Court to see if a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest.
- If a bench warrant has been issued, you can call the office to schedule an in-person appearance. Your warrant will remain active until you appear in person and the judge decides to lift it.
- You can email the judge to request approval to vacate your bench warrant.
- You can turn yourself into the Finney County Jail and post a bond for release.
- How are municipal court fines and court costs set?
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The fines are set by City ordinance or in the Municipal Court fine schedule (PDF). The court costs are set by ordinance and are assessed for the Municipal Court's administrative costs, as well as costs required by the State of Kansas.
- How do I pay a municipal court fine and court costs?
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Municipal Court enforces violations of City ordinances for traffic and ordinance violations, such as nuisance, zoning, and fire code violations.
- What is the function of Municipal Court?
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Municipal Court enforces violations of City ordinances for traffic, misdemeanor, and other types of cases, such as fire, code, and parking violations.
- Do I need an attorney when I go to court?
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You always have the right to an attorney, but you are not required to have an attorney represent you.
- First time in court? Here's what you should know.
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People are seen in the order they arrive. If you are late, you will be allowed only one continuance at the window without the judge’s approval. Your items will be searched.
- Attorney Options
- Contract attorney – you always have the right to hire your attorney.
- Court-appointed attorney – if you cannot afford to hire an attorney and you are facing a jail sentence, you may apply for a court-appointed attorney in court. The judge will determine whether or not you qualify based on your income.
- Waiver – if you do not wish to have an attorney represent you, you may waive your right to an attorney.
- Plea Types
- Guilty – you are stating in which you agree you have committed the crime charged against you and you will be convicted.
- Not Guilty – you are asking the court to set the matter for trial and to require the City to prove it’s case against you beyond a reasonable doubt.
- No Contest – you neither admit nor deny the charges against you but by entering this plea you understand you will be convicted based on the City providing the court with a factual basis for a finding of guilt.
- Trial
- You have the right to a trial and to have the City prove its case against you beyond a reasonable doubt.
- You have the right to call witnesses on your behalf and to confront any witnesses against you.
- You have the right to remain silent. You are not required to testify at your trial. If you choose not to testify, your silence will not be used against you in determining whether or not you should be convicted.
- Appeal
- You have the right to appeal any convictions of the Garden City Municipal Court to the Finney County District Court. You can contact the Garden City Municipal Court for the appearance bond amount or any other instructions on this process.
- If you can’t make it to court, please send a request for a continuance here at municipal.court@gardencityks.us
- Attorney Options