CODE FOR MUNICIPAL COURTS; APPEARANCE AND CONDITIONS OF RELEASE

K.S.A. ch. 12, art. 43

in effect

K.S.A. 12-4301 Appearance bonds; methods of securing appearance; driver's license as security, penalty.

12-4301. Appearance bonds; methods of securing appearance; driver's license as security, penalty. A person having the right to post bond for appearance shall, in order to do so, execute in writing a promise to appear at the municipal court at a stated time and place. Such appearance bond shall be in an amount as determined by the municipal judge. Unless the judge makes a specific finding otherwise, every bond for a person charged with an offense that would be a person offense pursuant to state law shall have a condition of release prohibiting the person from having contact with the alleged victim of such offense for a period of at least 72 hours. Such bond may be secured by any one of the following methods, and when so secured, such person shall be released from custody. The methods of securing the appearance of an accused person are as follows: (a) Payment of cash, except that the municipal judge may permit negotiable securities or a personal check in lieu of cash. (b) The execution of an appearance bond by a responsible individual residing within the state of Kansas, as surety with the approval of the municipal judge. (c) A guaranteed arrest bond certificate issued by either a surety company authorized to transact such business within the state of Kansas, or an automobile club authorized to transact business in this state by the commissioner of insurance, except that such "guaranteed arrest bond certificate" must be signed by the person to whom it is issued and must contain a printed statement that the surety guarantees the appearance of such person and, in the event of failure of such person to appear in court at the time of trial, will pay any fine or forfeiture imposed upon such person not to exceed an amount to be stated on such certificate. (d) In lieu of giving security in the manner provided by subsections (a), (b) and (c) above, if the arrest is for the violation of a city ordinance relating to the operation of a motor vehicle the accused person may deposit with the arresting law enforcement officer or the clerk of the municipal court a valid Kansas driver's license in exchange for a receipt therefor issued by the law enforcement officer or the clerk of the municipal court, the form of which shall be approved by the division of vehicles of the state department of revenue. Such receipt shall be recognized as a valid temporary Kansas driver's license authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle by the accused person to the date of the hearing stated on the receipt. Such driver's license and written copy of the notice to appear shall be delivered by the law enforcement officer to the municipal court as soon as reasonably possible. If the hearing on any such charge is continued for any reason, the municipal judge may note on the receipt the date to which such hearing has been continued, and such receipt shall be recognized as a valid temporary Kansas driver's license until such date, but in no event shall such receipt be recognized as a valid Kansas driver's license for a period longer than 30 days from the date for the original hearing. Any person who deposited a driver's license to secure such person's appearance, in lieu of giving a bond as provided in subsections (a), (b) and (c) above, shall have such driver's license returned upon the giving of the required bond pursuant to (a), (b) and (c) above or upon final determination of the charge. In the event the accused person deposits a valid Kansas driver's license with the municipal court and fails to appear in court on the date set for appearance, or any continuance thereof, and in any event within 30 days from the date set for the original hearing, the municipal judge shall forward the driver's license of such person to the division of vehicles with an appropriate explanation attached thereto. Upon receipt of the driver's license of such person the division of vehicles shall suspend such person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state until such person appears before the municipal court, or the municipal court makes a final disposition thereof, and notice of such disposition is given by the municipal court to the division, or for a period not exceeding six months from the date such person's driver's license is received by the division, whichever is earlier. Any person who applies for a replacement or new driver's license prior to the return of such person's original license, when such license has been deposited in lieu of the giving of a bond as provided in this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in K.S.A. 8-2116 , and amendments thereto. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4301; L. 1975, ch. 33, § 4; L. 1982, ch. 81, § 1; L. 1994, ch. 24, § 8; L. 2001, ch. 177, § 1; July 1. Cross References to Related Sections: Similar provisions in uniform act regulating traffic on highways, see 8-2107. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 10 (1973). "2001 Legislative Wrap-Up," Paul T. Davis, 70 J.K.B.A. No. 7, 14 (2001). Attorney General's Opinions: Traffic violation arrests; citations, procedures and penalties; appearance bond. 83-137. Appearance and conditions of release; appearance bonds. 83-138. Municipal courts; traffic violations; failure to appear. 84-43. Act regulating traffic; arrests, citations, penalties; failure to comply with citation; suspension of license. 85-66. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Execution of appearance bond means it needs to be signed. City of Dodge City v. Reyes, 35 Kan. App. 2d 756, 759, 133 P.3d 1291 (2006).

K.S.A. 12-4302 Personal recognizance.

12-4302. Personal recognizance. Notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 12-4301 , a law enforcement officer may release an accused person from custody without requiring security for his or her appearance, and shall release such accused person without requiring security for the appearance, pursuant to any rule or order of the municipal judge. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4302; April 1, 1974. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 10 (1973). Attorney General's Opinions: Sheriff may charge cities for the costs of incarcerating prisoners jailed on municipal charges in an amount equal to the costs of incarceration of county prisoners. 2012-10.

K.S.A. 12-4303 Failure to appear.

12-4303. Failure to appear. In the event the accused person fails to appear at the time designated in the appearance bond, or at any subsequent time to which the appearance has been continued, the municipal judge shall declare the bond forfeited, except that, if it appears to the court that justice does not require the enforcement of the forfeiture, the court may set the same aside upon such conditions as the court may impose. Where the forfeiture of a bond has become final, the court shall direct the application of the funds or that suitable action be instituted for the collection from the sureties thereon or from the accused person. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4303; April 1, 1974. Source or prior law: 13-617, 14-809, 15-508. Cross References to Related Sections: See similar provisions in code of criminal procedure, 22-2807.

K.S.A. 12-4304 Appearance bond; posting; form.

12-4304. Appearance bond; posting; form. An appearance bond shall be deemed sufficient if it states substantially as follows: Appearance Bond. In the Municipal Court of __________, Kansas. The City of __________ vs. ______________, the accused person, as principal, and ______________, as surety, (where surety is used) acknowledge ourselves to be indebted to the City of __________, Kansas, in the sum of ______________ Dollars, secured as required by law, upon these conditions: That said accused person shall personally appear before the Municipal Court of __________, Kansas, on the ____ day of __________, 19__, at __________ o'clock a.m. and, if an appeal is taken, shall appear in the District Court of the county in which the city is located, and from time to time as required by the court to answer to the complaint, according to his or her promise to do so, which the accused person hereby makes then this bond shall be void; otherwise it shall remain in force. Dated this ____ day of __________, 19__. _______________________________ (Accused Person) _______________________________ (Address) ________________________________ (Surety) (Where Applicable) _________________________________ (Address) Receipt for cash surety Received from ______________, accused person, ______________ Dollars cash security on above bond this ____ day of __________, 19__. _____________________________________________________ (Clerk of Municipal Court or Law Enforcement Officer) OR Receipt for guaranteed arrest bond certificate security Received from ______________ a guaranteed certificate issued by ______________, as security on above bond this ____ day of __________, 19__. ______________________________________________________ (Clerk of Municipal Court or Law Enforcement Officer) OR Receipt for operator's license security Received from __________, accused person, operator's license issued by the state of __________, bearing number __________, issued to said accused person, as security on above bond this ____ day of __________, 19__. _____________________________________________________ (Clerk of Municipal Court or Law Enforcement Officer) OR Approval of surety Surety approved this ____ day of __________, 19__. _____________________________________________ (Municipal Judge) OR Bond without surety This bond approved without surety. _____________________________________________ (Municipal Judge or Law Enforcement Officer) L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4304; April 1, 1974. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 10 (1973).

K.S.A. 12-4305 Schedule of fines for municipal ordinance traffic infractions and certain other ordinances; violations excluded from schedule; fines upon plea of guilty or no contest; procedure.

12-4305. Schedule of fines for municipal ordinance traffic infractions and certain other ordinances; violations excluded from schedule; fines upon plea of guilty or no contest; procedure. (a) The municipal judge shall establish a schedule of fines which shall be imposed for municipal ordinance violations that are classified as ordinance traffic infractions. Also, the municipal judge may establish a schedule of fines which shall be imposed for the violation of certain other ordinances. Any fine so established shall be within the minimum and maximum allowable fines established by ordinance for such offenses by the governing body. The following traffic violations are specifically excluded from any schedule of fines: (1) Reckless driving; (2) driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or both, or driving with a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 or more; (3) driving without a valid license issued or on a canceled, suspended or revoked license; (4) fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer; or (5) offense comparable to those prescribed by K.S.A. 8-1602 , 8-1603 and 8-1604 , and amendments thereto. (b) A person charged with the violation of an ordinance contained in a schedule of fines established under subsection (a) shall, except as provided in subsection (c), appear at the place and time specified in the notice to appear. If the person enters an appearance, waives right to trial, pleads guilty or no contest, the fine shall be no greater than that specified in the schedule. (c) Except as provided in subsection (c) of K.S.A. 12-4214 , and amendments thereto, prior to the time specified in the notice to appear, a person charged with an ordinance cigarette or tobacco infraction or a violation of an ordinance contained in a schedule of fines established under subsection (a) may enter an appearance, waive right to trial, plead guilty or no contest and pay the fine for the violation as specified in the schedule or in subsection (a) of K.S.A. 12-4214 , and amendments thereto. At the election of the person charged, such appearance, waiver, plea and payment may be made by mail or in person and payment may be by personal check. The complaint shall not have been complied with if a check is not honored for any reason, or the fine is not paid in full prior to the time specified in the notice to appear. When a person charged with an ordinance cigarette or tobacco infraction or an ordinance traffic infraction or other ordinance violation on a schedule of fines makes payment without executing a written waiver of right to trial and plea of guilty or no contest, the payment shall be deemed such an appearance, waiver of right to trial and plea of no contest. The municipal judge may authorize the clerk of the municipal court or some other person to accept by mail or in person such voluntary appearance, plea of guilty or no contest and payment of the fine imposed by the schedule or by subsection (a) of K.S.A. 12-4214 , and amendments thereto. The schedule of fines and persons authorized to accept such pleas shall be conspicuously displayed in the office where such voluntary appearance, plea of guilty and payment of fine occurs. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4305; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 30; L. 1985, ch. 48, § 10; L. 1985, ch. 78, § 4; L. 1986, ch. 84, § 3; L. 1993, ch. 259, § 17; L. 1996, ch. 214, § 22; L. 1998, ch. 192, § 2; May 28. Law Review and Bar Journal References: Intent is to allow guilty or nolo contendere pleas and payment of fines without going to court, "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 10 (1973). Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; jurisdiction over juveniles charged with cigarette and tobacco infractions. 96-83. Municipal courts; disclosure of records of juvenile charged with tobacco ordinance infraction. 1998-36.

K.S.A. 12-4306 Traffic violations; failure to appear, service of warrant and collection of bond.

12-4306. Traffic violations; failure to appear, service of warrant and collection of bond. (a) If a person who is a resident of this state is charged with a violation of a traffic ordinance of a city in this state and such person fails to appear after service of notice to appear, any law enforcement officer of any county or city of the state may serve the bench warrant issued for the person and may collect from the person a cash appearance bond in the amount stated in the warrant upon request of the law enforcement agency of the city in which the warrant was issued. In the event the violator waives actual in hand service of the bench warrant and the officer has verified by telecommunication that the bench warrant is in the actual possession of the law enforcement authorities of the jurisdiction issuing the same, the officer making the arrest may collect the appearance bond without actual in hand service of the bench warrant. (b) Any appearance bond collected pursuant to this section shall be forwarded forthwith to the clerk of the municipal court of the city in which the alleged violation was committed. (c) As used in this section: (1) "Highway," "street," "traffic" and "vehicle" have the meanings provided by article 14 of chapter 8 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated. (2) "Traffic ordinance" means any ordinance relating to the regulation of traffic on streets and highways or the operation of vehicles. (d) This section shall be part of and supplemental to the Kansas code of procedure for municipal courts. L. 1981, ch. 150, § 1; July 1. Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; traffic violations; failure to appear. 84-43.

Source: Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes (ksrevisor.gov)URL: https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/ksa_ch12.htmlFetched: 10/20/2026