CODE FOR MUNICIPAL COURTS; PROSECUTION AND ARREST

K.S.A. ch. 12, art. 42

in effect

K.S.A. 12-4201 Commencement of prosecution.

12-4201. Commencement of prosecution. The prosecution for the violation of municipal ordinances shall be commenced by the filing of a complaint with the municipal court. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4201; April 1, 1974. Source or prior law: 13-605, 14-804, 15-504. Cross References to Related Sections: See similar provisions in code of criminal procedure, 22-2301. Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; arrest and prosecution; complaint; issuance and service. 85-67. Code for municipal courts; fire department personnel; prosecution and arrest; cities' powers of home rule. 94-23. Expunged municipal court records may be released to "criminal justice agency" having legitimate need for such. 2002-14. The Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Act and the Agreement on Detainers do not apply to ordinance violations. 2002-48. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Filing of complaint mandatory in municipal court; no duplicate, amendment or refiling of that which never existed. Seaton v. City of Coffeyville, 9 Kan. App. 2d 760, 761, 688 P.2d 1240 (1984). 2. When the prosecution of a traffic citation commences examined. State v. Donlay, 253 Kan. 132, 137, 853 P.2d 680 (1993).

K.S.A. 12-4202 Complaint; requirements; form.

12-4202. Complaint; requirements; form. A complaint shall be in writing and shall be signed by the complainant. More than one violation may be charged in the same complaint. A complaint shall be deemed sufficient if in substantially the form of the complaint set forth in K.S.A. 12-4205 , and amendments thereto or in substantially the following form: IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF __________, KANSAS The City of __________________________, ____________________________, vs. (Accused person) The undersigned, complains that on or about the _________ day of ______________________, A.D., 19__, in the City of __________, County of _____________, and State of Kansas, _______________________________________________________________did then and there unlawfully ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ in violation of Section _____________________ of Ordinance No. ____ of the City of _______________________________ ___________________ Complainant *Sworn to positively before me, this ________________ day of ___________________________________, A.D., 19__ ______________________________________ Officer authorized to administer oaths (*This complaint is not required to be sworn if it is signed by a law enforcement officer.) L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4202; L. 1984, ch. 78, § 2; July 1. Source or prior law: 13-605, 14-804, 15-504. Cross References to Related Sections: See definition of complaint in code of criminal procedure, 22-2202. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 9 (1973). Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; arrest and prosecution; complaint; issuance and service. 85-67.

K.S.A. 12-4203 Complaint; service; notice to appear or warrant; failure to issue.

12-4203. Complaint; service; notice to appear or warrant; failure to issue. (a) A copy of the complaint shall be served, together with a notice to appear or a warrant, by a law enforcement officer upon the accused person, and forthwith, the complaint shall be filed with the municipal court, except that a complaint may be filed initially with the municipal court, and if so filed, a copy of the complaint shall forthwith be delivered to the city attorney. (b) If a city attorney fails either to cause a notice to appear or to request a warrant to be issued, on a complaint initially filed with the municipal court, the municipal judge may, upon affidavits filed with him or her alleging the violation of an ordinance, order the city attorney to institute proceedings against any person. Any such municipal judge shall be disqualified from sitting in any case wherein such order was entered and is further prohibited from communicating about such case with the municipal judge pro tem appointed by the municipal judge to preside therein. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4203; L. 2004, ch. 71, § 2; July 1. Source or prior law: 13-606, 14-806, 15-506. Cross References to Related Sections: See similar provision in code of criminal procedure, 22-2302 through 22-2305. Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; arrest and prosecution; complaint; issuance and service. 85-67. Code for municipal courts; fire department personnel; prosecution and arrest; cities' powers of home rule. 94-23.

K.S.A. 12-4204 Notice to appear; contents; form.

12-4204. Notice to appear; contents; form. A notice to appear shall describe the offense charged, shall summon the accused person to appear, shall contain a space in which the accused person may agree, in writing, to appear at a time not less than five (5) days after such notice to appear is given, unless the accused person shall demand an earlier hearing. A notice to appear may be signed by a municipal judge, the clerk of the municipal court, the city attorney, or any law enforcement officer of the city. A notice to appear shall be deemed sufficient if in substantially the form of the notice to appear set out in K.S.A. 12-4205 or if in substantially the following form, to wit: IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF __________, KANSAS The City of ____________________________________, Kansas vs. ____________________________________________, (Accused person) ____________________________________________, (Address) NOTICE TO APPEAR The City of __________, Kansas, To The Above Named Accused Person. You are hereby summoned to appear before the Municipal Court of __________, Kansas, on the ____ day of __________, 19__, at __________ o'clock, _.m., to answer a complaint charging you with If you fail to appear a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Dated __________, 19__. ________________________ Signature of Official ________________________ Title of Official I agree to appear in said Court at said time and place. ________________________ Signature of Accused Person RETURN The undersigned hereby certifies that on the ____ day of __________, 19__, the notice to appear was served, mailed or delivered. _____________________________________ Law Enforcement Officer L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4204; April 1, 1974. Cross References to Related Sections: See similar provisions in code of criminal procedure, 22-2408. Provisions for notice to appear for violations of uniform act regulating traffic on highways, see 8-2106. Procedure for arrest without a warrant under uniform act regulating traffic on highways, see 8-2111. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 9 (1973). "A Comment on Kansas' New 'Drunk Driving' Law," Joseph Brian Cox and Donald G. Strole, 51 J.K.B.A. 230, 233 (1982). Attorney General's Opinions: Code for municipal courts; powers and duties — contempt powers. 84-1. Municipal courts; arrest and prosecution; complaint; issuance and service. 85-67.

K.S.A. 12-4205

K.S.A. 12-4205a Complaint and notice to appear in municipal court.

12-4205a. Complaint and notice to appear in municipal court. In all cases a complaint and notice to appear in municipal court may be made in the form of the complaint and notice to appear which shall be deemed sufficient if it contains the information required by subsection (b) of K.S.A. 8-2106 , and amendments thereto. L. 1990, ch. 41, § 11; January 1, 1991.

K.S.A. 12-4206 Notice to appear; when used.

12-4206. Notice to appear; when used. A notice to appear shall be used in all cases involving the violation of a municipal ordinance, except when a warrant is issued. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4206; April 1, 1974. Source or prior law: 8-5,129a. Cross References to Related Sections: See notice to appear provisions in code of criminal procedure, 22-2408. Provisions for notice to appear for violations of uniform act regulating traffic on highways, see 8-2106. Procedure for arrest without a warrant under uniform act regulating traffic on highways, see 8-2111. Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; traffic violations; failure to appear. 84-43.

K.S.A. 12-4207 Same; service; return.

12-4207. Same; service; return. The notice to appear shall be served upon the accused person by delivering a copy to him or her personally, or by leaving it at the dwelling house of the accused person or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein, or by mailing it to the last known address of said person. A notice to appear may be served by any law enforcement officer within the state and, if mailed, shall be mailed by a law enforcement officer of the municipality of its issuance or the clerk of the municipal court. Upon service by mail, the law enforcement officer shall execute a verification to be filed with a copy of the notice to appear. Said verification shall be deemed sufficient if in substantially the following form: The undersigned hereby certifies that on the ____ day of __________, 19__, a copy of notice to appear was mailed to _______ at ______________, ______________. _____________________________________ Signature of Law Enforcement Officer or Clerk of Municipal Court L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4207; April 1, 1974. Cross References to Related Sections: Provisions for notice to appear for violations of uniform act regulating traffic on highways, see 8-2106. Procedure for arrest without a warrant under uniform act regulating traffic on highways, see 8-2111. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "Municipal Courts: A Thought on Notice Procedures," James M. Sheeley, 5 J.K.T.L.A. No. 6, 24, 25, 26 (1982). Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; arrest and prosecution; complaint; issuance and service. 85-67. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Under facts, arrestee did not obstruct legal process when she refused, then threw down ticket. Berry v. City of Phillipsburg, Kan., 796 F. Supp. 1400, 1401 (1992).

K.S.A. 12-4208 Warrant; contents; form.

12-4208. Warrant; contents; form. A warrant shall contain the name of the accused person, or if unknown, any name or description by which the accused person may be identified with reasonable certainty, shall describe the nature of the violation of an ordinance of the city, shall command that the accused person be arrested, shall be signed by the judge of the municipal court, and shall state the amount of the appearance bond to be required. A warrant shall be deemed sufficient if substantially in the following form, to wit: IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF __________, KANSAS The City of ____________________________________, Kansas vs. ____________________________________________, (Accused person) ____________________________________________, (Address) WARRANT The City of __________, Kansas to the Chief of Police of __________, Kansas, or any duly authorized law enforcement officer of the state of Kansas: Whereas, a sworn complaint in writing has been made to me and it appearing that there is probable cause to believe that on or about the ____ day of __________, 19__ within the corporate limits of the above City, the above-named accused person did unlawfully: In violation of Section __ of Ordinance No. __ of said City: Therefore you are commanded to forthwith arrest the above-named accused person and bring said accused person before this Court to be dealt with according to law. Given under my hand this ____ day of __________, 19__. ________________________ Municipal Judge ____________________, Kansas The amount of the appearance bond is hereby set to be $__________ for the appearance of the accused person before the Municipal Court of __________, Kansas, on the ____ day of __________, 19__, at ____ o'clock _.m. _________________________ Municipal Judge RETURN I hereby certify that I have executed the within warrant by arresting the named accused person (and taking a bond in the sum of $__________ as security for appearance before the Municipal Court of __________, Kansas.) This is to certify that I have made a diligent search for the within-named accused person but have been unable to find same. City: ______________ Date: ______________ _________________________ Signature _________________________ Title L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4208; April 1, 1974. Cross References to Related Sections: See similar provision in code of criminal procedure, 22-2304. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 9 (1973). "Criminal Procedure Survey of Recent Cases," 49 K.L.R. 937 (2001).

K.S.A. 12-4209 Warrants or notices to appear; when issued; limitations.

12-4209. Warrants or notices to appear; when issued; limitations. (a) The city attorney shall cause a notice to appear to be issued, except that, if requested by the city attorney, a warrant for the accused shall be issued if the municipal judge finds from the complaint, or from an affidavit or affidavits filed with the complaint or from other evidence that there is probable cause to believe both that a crime has been committed and that the defendant has committed such crime. (b) More than one warrant or notice to appear may be issued on the same complaint. (c) If a defendant fails to appear in response to a notice to appear, a warrant shall be issued. (d) Affidavits or sworn testimony in support of the probable cause requirements of this section shall not be made available for examination without a written order of the municipal judge, except that such affidavits or testimony, when requested, shall be made available to the defendant or the defendant's counsel for such disposition as either may desire. (e) No warrant shall issue for an ordinance traffic infraction or an ordinance cigarette or tobacco infraction unless the person charged has received service of a notice to appear and has failed to appear for the infraction. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4209; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 28; L. 1996, ch. 214, § 19; L. 2004, ch. 71, § 3; July 1. Source or prior law: 13-606, 14-806, 15-506. Attorney General's Opinions: Municipal courts; jurisdiction over juveniles charged with cigarette and tobacco infractions. 96-83. 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. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Cited; right to speedy criminal trial (K.S.A. 22-3402(2)) extending to appeals from municipal court to district court examined. City of Elkhart v. Bollacker, 243 Kan. 543, 546, 757 P.2d 311 (1988).

K.S.A. 12-4210 Same; service.

12-4210. Same; service. A warrant may be directed to any law enforcement officer within the state and may be executed any place within the state, by the arrest of the accused person. The officer need not have the warrant in his or her possession at the time of the arrest, but upon request, the officer shall show the warrant to the accused person as soon as possible. If the officer does not have the warrant in his or her possession at the time of the arrest, the officer shall then inform the accused person of the offense charged, of the fact that a warrant has been issued, and the amount of the bond required. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4210; April 1, 1974. Source or prior law: 13-606, 14-806, 15-506.

K.S.A. 12-4211 Detention; service of complaint and summons.

12-4211. Detention; service of complaint and summons. A law enforcement officer may detain a person when: (a) He or she has a warrant commanding that such person be arrested; or (b) he or she has reason to believe that a warrant for the person's arrest has been issued by any municipal court; or (c) he or she has probable cause to believe that the person is committing or has committed a violation of an ordinance, and the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that such person will not be apprehended or evidence of the violation of the ordinance will be irretrievably lost unless such person is immediately detained, or such person may cause injury to himself, herself or others or damage to property unless immediately detained; or (d) any violation of an ordinance has been or is being committed by such person in his or her view. A law enforcement officer having detained a person pursuant to the preceding paragraph, except subsection (a) or (b) thereof, may release the person or may prepare and serve upon such person a complaint and notice to appear, as provided by K.S.A. 12-4204 or 12-4205 and shall then release such accused person from such detention, except in such instances where the law enforcement officer has power and authority to arrest such accused person as hereinafter set forth. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4211; April 1, 1974. Cross References to Related Sections: See similar provision in code of criminal procedure, 22-2402. Law Review and Bar Journal References: Detention provisions analogous to provisions in code of criminal procedure, "A New Procedure For Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 9 (1973). Attorney General's Opinions: Traffic violation arrests; citations, procedures and penalties; appearance bond. 83-137. Municipal courts; traffic violations; failure to appear. 84-43. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Mentioned in automobile stop case, detention of passenger exceeded scope of stop; evidence suppressed. State v. Gross, 39 Kan. App. 2d 788, 801, 184 P.3d 978 (2008).

K.S.A. 12-4212 Arrest by law enforcement officer; when authorized.

12-4212. Arrest by law enforcement officer; when authorized. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a law enforcement officer may arrest a person under any of the following circumstances: (1) The officer has a warrant commanding that the person be arrested. (2) A warrant for the person's arrest has been issued by a municipal court in this state. (3) The officer has probable cause to believe that the person is committing or has committed a violation of an ordinance and that the person has intentionally inflicted bodily harm to another person. (4) The law enforcement officer detained the person pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of K.S.A. 12-4211 , and amendments thereto, and: (A) The person refuses to give a written promise to appear in court when served with a notice to appear; (B) the person is unable to provide identification of self by presenting a valid driver's license or other identification giving equivalent information to the law enforcement officer; (C) the person is not a resident of the state of Kansas; or (D) the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the person may cause injury to self or others or may damage property unless immediately arrested. (b) A law enforcement officer may not arrest a person who is charged only with committing an ordinance traffic infraction or an ordinance cigarette or tobacco infraction unless the person charged has received service of a notice to appear and has failed to appear for the infraction. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4212; L. 1984, ch. 127, § 1; L. 1984, ch. 39, § 29; L. 1985, ch. 78, § 3; L. 1996, ch. 214, § 20; July 1. Source or prior law: 13-623, 13-625, 14-820, 15-507. Cross References to Related Sections: See similar procedure in code of criminal procedure, 22-2401. Jurisdiction of law enforcement officers employed by cities, see 22-2401a. Law Review and Bar Journal References: Arrest provisions analogous to provisions in code of criminal procedure, "A New Procedure for Municipal Courts," Wallace M. Buck, Jr., 42 J.B.A.K. 7, 9 (1973). "Survey of Kansas Law: Criminal Law and Procedure," Keith G. Meyer, 27 K.L.R. 391, 412 (1979). Attorney General's Opinions: Traffic violation arrests; citations, procedures and penalties; appearance bond. 83-137. Municipal courts; jurisdiction over juveniles charged with cigarette and tobacco infractions. 96-83. 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. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Arrest valid where officer has probable cause to believe arrest warrant has been issued. City of Bonner Springs v. Bey, 236 Kan. 661, 662, 694 P.2d 477 (1985). 2. Statute not exclusive arresting authority for municipal law officers; K.S.A. 22-2401 also applicable. Griffin v. State, 14 Kan. App. 2d 803, 810, 799 P.2d 521 (1990). 3. Cited; arresting officer not required to have physical possession of arrest warrant. State v. Edwards, 39 Kan. App. 2d 300, 304, 179 P.3d 472 (2008).

K.S.A. 12-4213 Persons under arrest; procedures; right to post bond; release on personal recognizance.

12-4213. Persons under arrest; procedures; right to post bond; release on personal recognizance. (a) Any person arrested by a law enforcement officer shall be taken immediately by the law enforcement officer to the police station of the city or the office in the city designated by the municipal judge. At that time, the person shall have the right to post bond for the person's appearance, in accordance with K.S.A. 12-4301 and 12-4302 , and amendments thereto, except as hereinafter provided. (b) A law enforcement officer may detain a person arrested for violation of a municipal ordinance in protective custody for a period not to exceed six hours, including custody in a city or county jail, if such officer has probable cause to believe that: (1) Such person may cause injury to oneself or others, or damage to property; and (2) there is no responsible person or institution to which such person might be released. Any person so held in protective custody shall be permitted to consult with counsel or other persons who may act on such person's behalf. Such person held in protective custody for six hours shall be given an opportunity to post bond for such person's appearance in the municipal court. (c) Any person held in custody pursuant to the provisions of this section, and who has not made bond for such person's appearance, may be held in custody until the earliest practical time for such person's appearance in municipal court upon a warrant being issued by the municipal court in accordance with K.S.A. 12-4209 , and amendments thereto. (d) Any person who remains in custody for 48 hours pursuant to the provisions of this section after arrest, and who is awaiting a first appearance before a municipal judge in the absence of a warrant being issued, shall be released on the person's personal recognizance. Bond shall be set within 18 hours of the person being placed in custody. L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4213; L. 1987, ch. 76, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 71, § 4; July 1. Source or prior law: 13-623, 13-625, 14-807, 15-507. Law Review and Bar Journal References: "Survey of Kansas Law: Criminal Law and Procedure," Keith G. Meyer, 27 K.L.R. 391, 412 (1979). Attorney General's Opinions: Traffic violation arrests; citations, procedures and penalties; appearance bond. 83-137. Sheriff must accept city prisoner taken to county jail but not responsible if taken directly to medical facility. 2007-39. 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. 12-4214 Notice; explanation of rights.

12-4214. Notice; explanation of rights. (a) Except as provided further, when a person is charged with an ordinance traffic infraction or an ordinance cigarette or tobacco infraction, the notice to appear shall provide a place where the person may make a written entry of appearance, waive the right to a trial and plead guilty or no contest. The notice to appear shall provide a space in which the law enforcement officer, except as provided in subsection (b), shall enter the appropriate fine specified in the fine schedule established by the municipal judge in accordance with K.S.A. 12-4305 , and amendments thereto, in the case of a traffic infraction, or a fine of $25, in the case of an ordinance cigarette or tobacco infraction. Either the notice to appear or a separate form provided to the person by the law enforcement officer shall provide an explanation: (1) Of the person's right to appear and right to trial and the person's right to pay the appropriate fine prior to the appearance date; (2) that failure to either pay such fine or appear at the specified time may result in issuance of a warrant for the person's arrest; and (3) in the case of a traffic infraction, that failure to either pay such fine or appear at the specified time may result in the suspension of the person's driver's license. The law enforcement officer shall provide the person with the telephone number and address of the municipal court to which the written entry of appearance, waiver of trial, plea of guilty or no contest and payment of fine shall be mailed. (b) In lieu of the law enforcement officer entering the appropriate fine for an ordinance traffic infraction, the officer may direct the person charged with an ordinance traffic infraction to contact the clerk of the municipal court to determine the applicable fine or provide the person with a copy of the fine schedule established by the municipal judge in accordance with K.S.A. 12-4305 , and amendments thereto. (c) When a person is charged with an ordinance cigarette or tobacco infraction, the judge may require the juvenile to appear in court with a parent or legal guardian. (d) This section shall be a part of and supplemental to the provisions of article 42 of chapter 12 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto. L. 1985, ch. 78, § 1; L. 1996, ch. 214, § 21; L. 1998, ch. 192, § 1; May 28. 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. Jurisdiction of school law enforcement officer based on location, as well as control or ownership of property. 2002-39.

K.S.A. 12-4215 Electronic citations.

12-4215. Electronic citations. (a) As used in this section: (1) "Electronic citation" means a charging citation, complaint or notice to appear which is prepared by a law enforcement officer in an electronic data device with intent that the data collected will be electronically filed with a municipal court as provided in K.S.A. 12-4201 through 12-4207 , and amendments thereto, for prosecution of a municipal ordinance violation. The data elements collected shall conform to the requirements of K.S.A. 12-4201 through 12-4207 , and amendments thereto, or the requirements of the secretary of revenue or the secretary's designee pursuant to K.S.A. 79-3393 , and amendments thereto, as applicable. (2) "Electronic citation system" means the device, database or computer software used to create, store, transmit or exchange the data included in an electronic citation. (3) "Electronic signature" means an electronic signature having legal effect pursuant to the Kansas uniform electronic transaction act, K.S.A. 16-1601 et seq., and amendments thereto. (b) For purposes of an electronic citation, including the notice to appear and complaint, issued under this section, an electronic signature indicated by the law enforcement officer's typed name, agency and agency identification number has the same effect and is as sufficient as a manual signature as required in K.S.A. 12-4202 , 12-4204 , 12-4207 , subsection (b) of 22-3201 or 79-3393 , and amendments thereto. (c) A notice to appear, complaint or citation as provided in K.S.A. 12-4201 through 12-4207 or 79-3393 , and amendments thereto, shall be deemed to be written if on a paper form or in a document printed from an electronic citation system. (d) For purposes of signing a notice to appear as provided in K.S.A. 8-2107 and 12-4204 , and amendments thereto, a person being charged by a law enforcement officer shall be deemed to have signed the notice to appear if the person physically signs the paper notice to appear or, in the case of an electronic citation, verbally acknowledges that the person promises to appear on or before the date set at or with the designated court. To secure a verbal promise to appear, the law enforcement officer shall ask, "Do you agree to appear at the court on or before (date) ?" The officer shall accurately record the response of the person being charged as: Yes, no or no response. (e) This section shall be part of and supplemental to the Kansas code of procedure for municipal courts. L. 2010, ch. 56, § 2; July 1.

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