31st Judicial District Nominating Commission picks Tod Michael Davis to fill magistrate judge vacancy in Allen County

TOPEKA—The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Tod Michael Davis to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Allen County.

The commission conducted public interviews of applicants for the position Friday, July 15, in Iola.

Davis, of Chanute, currently is assistant public defender with the Southeast Kansas Public Defender Office. His new position as magistrate judge will be effective upon his swearing in.

The 31st judicial district includes Allen, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson counties. The vacancy was created by the July 3 retirement of District Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Saxton Jr.

Kansas law requires that a magistrate judge be a resident of the county at the time of swearing-in and while serving; be at least 30 years old; have graduated from a high school, secondary school, or the equivalent; and either be a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or pass an examination given by the Supreme Court and become certified within 18 months.

The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Lee A. Johnson as the nonvoting chair; John K. Chenoweth of Fredonia; James M. Immel and Ryan Sparks of Iola; Richard K. Pringle and Timothy E. Brazil of Chanute; Rochelle R. Chronister of Neodesha; Nick C. Hay of Yates Center; and James G. Keath of Stark.