The search warrant, requested by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody and signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, sought newsroom computers that may have been used to access Kansas Department of Revenue. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. Boehm - Geary County Ryan W. Cody accused the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Ensey of knowing he was seeking warrants. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices today and seized our server and computers and personal cellphones of staff members. But Judge Viar has a DUI history of her own. A photo from the Kansas 8th Judicial District website shows Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed a search warrant authorizing police to raid a local. ” But, as any judge should know, a DUI record is found easily in the state’s database which insurance companies regularly peruse to determine possible application fraud. A photo from the Kansas 8th Judicial District website shows Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed a search warrant authorizing police to raid a local. Judges in each state are generally bound to uphold moral and ethical codes of conduct, part of which include refraining from an appearance of political bias from the bench — even if elected in a. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. Brenda Sharpe, Overland Park. In nonpartisan elections, however, a judge is specifically prohibited from disclosing party affiliation. Note: Kansas law has allowed voters to request an advance by mail ballot without requiring a reason since 1996. Shortly after the August 11th raid, a Topeka woman submitted a complaint against Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Each has faced newfound scrutiny: Cody over his departure from the Kansas City police force and Viar over her driving record. District Magistrate Judge. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. It said her new position will be effective. at 203 N. Viar’s. Civil Scandal. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancies. Critics and legal experts say the search warrant signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar and used to seize the newspaper’s equipment violates federal law that provides protections against. We will hear more about Marion city leaders too, not to mention Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local. A search warrant signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar claimed probable cause over alleged violations related to identity theft and unlawful acts concerning computers, according to the Kansas Reflector. View requirements by county. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, citing possible identity theft and illegal use of a computer, authorized the search of the newspaper’s offices and the Meyers’ residence Friday morning. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. We don't have much info on Laura Viar. Join the community:. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. fact sheet | Nov 20, 2017. Viar’s new position will be effective on her swearing-in. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. Advocacy groups and reporters across the United States have sounded the alarm throughout the weekend about a legally dubious police raid on Friday targeting the Marion County Record office and the publisher's Kansas home in an alleged identity theft investigation—events that the newspaper said contributed to the. He also repeated statements made by Mayfield: someone from the Marion county attorney’s office delivered the warrant to Magistrate Judge Laura Viar for approval and Viar denied an additional. Meyer’s previous. November 18, 2022, 18:57 GMT Share This Article TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. Enable Google Translate. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. Seven months later, she was arrested again for a DUI in Morris County while she was the county attorney. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Max Kautsch, a Lawrence attorney with the Kansas Coalition for Open Government, said the organization condemned the searches and. According to a Wichita Eagle investigation, Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on January 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was detained at least twice in 2012 for DUI in two distinct. Succeeds Gita Noble. offenders, can be attributed to judge political affiliation rather than case selection. According to a Wichita Eagle investigation, Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on January 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was detained. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. Judge Viar should be facing a misconduct complaint – but it can’t stop there. Emporia, KS, USA / KVOE. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. Benjamin Sexton - Dickinson County . Joan Meyer had been undergoing severe stress and emotional distress in the hours before her death, the Marion County Record reported. Attorneys Catherine Block, Laura Lavey and Dawn Sabel, as well as. , will retire on Aug. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. 11, the court did not receive the affidavits until Monday, Aug. TOPEKA -- The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. 18 as the interview day. Ensey acknowledged Cody sent him the warrants. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the search warrant that Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody used to seize the newspaper’s equipment, records about the restaurant owner, utility bills, and other materials. Local newspapers report that the judge who signed the search warrant had two drunken driving arrests within a year. Adams, No. Chief Judge. 1%. A political adversary, Mayor David. A retired teacher in Saudi Arabia,. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. Those 2012 arrests came months apart in two counties — and it's not clear how much information was shared between officials at the time, The. View all. Special Requirements in the 8th. The next step should occur Monday in the case of a Council Grove attorney accused of trying to run over a City Council member. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. Ensey acknowledged Cody sent him the warrants. Interviews will take place at the Morris County Courthouse. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the warrants. Legislators and executives campaign explicitly on their political beliefs, and once elected they are expected to make decisions based on these beliefs. m. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. According to a Wichita Eagle investigation, Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on January 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was detained at least twice in 2012 for DUI in two distinct. First Amendment attorneys say the reporter committed no crime and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should have known the search warrants were unconstitutional when she signed them. unaffected by political or media influences, in order to. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing a raid on the Marion County Record after the newspaper used a public database to confirm a restaurant owner’s drunk-driving record. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. Eighth Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar has two DUI arrests on her record. Photo Illustration by Erin O’Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images, Marion County Police DepartmentA Kansas newspaper whose offices were raided by an entire police department on Friday says its 98-year-old co-owner has now died after she was left “stressed beyond her limits. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. 501 W Main Street. According to a Wichita Eagle investigation, Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on January 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was detained at least twice in 2012 for DUI in two distinct. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on that search warrant. The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct says Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should explain her decision to sign search warrants relied on by police to raid the Marion newspaper office in August. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. Judge Laura Viar has previously been arrested for two DUI incidents in 2012. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, of the 8th Judicial District, was charged at least twice for DUI in two Kansas counties in 2012, including in August that year when she allegedly drove off the road. KANSAS CITY, Mo. 11 raids on the newspaper office, the publisher’s home, and the home of a city councilwoman after small-town drama erupted over a restaurant owner’s quest for a liquor license. Clipart Library graphic. It soon moved to Marion, as it went. Kudos to the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle reporters who broke. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. Dickinson; Geary; Marion; Morris;The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. If Magistrate Judge Laura Viar hadn’t signed the warrant authorizing the illegal raid, supposedly because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about the DUI of a. Kautsch also said the case does raise a First Amendment issue, “because the action taken by the authorities appears to be in retaliation for bringing publicly available information to the attention of local. Judge Courtney D. Boy, did we get a talking-to. Robson – ZOOM Meeting ID 299 290 8566 District Judge Courtney D. ahead. Judge Laura Viar, a prominent figure in the 8th Judicial District, has been following the developments closely. 36 million by his former lawyers -- one of which was a longtime friend -- for an outstanding legal bill of which he paid off only $214k since 2019. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. Live streams for the Morris County District Court can be viewed online at the link below. TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed four new members and reappointed two current members to the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning . Judge Steven Hornbaker, who served in Geary County, retired June 1. The warrant, signed by Magistrate Viar specifically targeted ownership of computers capable of being used to “participate in the identity theft of Kari Newell. 14 — three days after the search was conducted. The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Todd Heitschmidt, court administrator, 28th. Delaware’s requirement that there must be a political balance among judges is unconstitutional, according to a federal appeals court on Tuesday. A longtime member of the BC Liberal Party is going to court to halt the party’s leadership contest until a full membership audit is done amid. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancies. ". Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Last week, Viar signed a warrant to search the Marion County Record, a local Kansas paper, after a local businesswoman. Marla Luckert. Mr. Judges: Magistrate Judge Laura E. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked. At 9:05 a. The proposal would strip power from Judge Laura Viar, the Kansas magistrate judge that authorized the Marion Police Department’s raid. S. The police department in Marion, Kansas — a town of about 2,000 — raided the Marion County Record under a. . Viar. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. This commitment must remain steadfast and unbiased, unaffected by political or media influences, in order to uphold the principles of justice, equal protection, and the rule of law for everyone in the. CNN has reached out to Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant, and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that. See biographical information on Judge Laura E. 20. > The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Photo by DARREN STONE / PNG. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity theft and. “This commitment must remain steadfast and unbiased, unaffected by political or media influences, in order to uphold the. "A source close to Karrin Taylor Robson [who ran against Lake in 2022's GOP primary for Arizona governor nominee] confirmed Lake has contacted her former opponent — the one she savaged last year. Interviews are coming next month as Morris County District Court fills a judge position. Both incidents happened in 2012 in Morris and Coffey counties. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices today and seized our server and computers and personal cellphones of staff members. Courtesy IversonLawOffice. Others are also calling into question whether the search warrant signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar adhered to the federal law protecting journalists from searches. 8/12/2023 10:36 AM PT. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. FOND DU LAC - Four people are in the running to become the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Judge serving Branch 3 this spring. In 2019, San Francisco police raided the home of Bryan Carmody, an independent journalist, seeking to find his source for a story about a police investigation into the sudden death of a local. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Party Identification Trends, 1992-2017. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. Honorable Laura E. ”. The 8th Judicial District is made up of Dickinson, Geary, Marion and Morris counties. Download original document: Document text This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. The police obtained a two-page warrant from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, saying the police were acting on probable cause to believe that “identity theft” and. Kansas State Board of Nursing. The alleged victim is Kari Newell, who owns a restaurant in Marion and was trying to obtain a liquor license. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. Image credit Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector. m. Special Requirements in the 8th. Benjamin Sexton - Dickinson County . Alan Mullen, a political advisor to Speaker Darryl Plecas, talks to the media at the BC legislature in Victoria, B. If not for cheating both legal and illegal there is one political party in America that would rarely be politically empowered. Its offices are across the street from the Marion County Courthouse. The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected current County Attorney Laura Viar as the county’s next magistrate judge. His position is based in Marion County. Viar. Questions have been raised about the legality of the search warrant, which was signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, as there are protections in federal law against searching and seizing materials from journalists. A Kansas newspaper was raided by cops after leaked DUI intel made its way to the publisher -- and many are calling it a chilling attempt at censorship over. Meyer takes a quick swipe at the Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who legal experts say did not take press protection laws into account before she signed Cody's warrants. , who served for 24 years and was consistently rated as one of the court's best judges in Columbus Bar Association polls, created the most. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she. 1) Magistrate Viar, or the presiding district judge, should immediately revoke the overly broad search warrant she signed and declare that any evidence seized under it be inadmissible in court. 50,257. A search warrant, posted online by the nonprofit news site the Kansas Reflector was signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Normally, law enforcement is required to obtain a subpoena for such materials. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar reportedly signed off on the search warrant, according to Kansas Reflector. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. The Honorable Laura Viar is appointed as a member of the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable Debra Anderson, effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, or until further order of the court as authorized by Supreme Court Rule 1601. District Magistrate Judge. Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector The law requires law enforcement to. At the time, Viar's last name was Allen. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing a raid on the Marion County Record after the newspaper used a public database to confirm a restaurant owner’s drunk-driving record. In nonpartisan elections, however, a judge is specifically prohibited from disclosing party affiliation. Iverson. See an overview of the judges that make up the 8th Judicial District of Kansas. Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy? Cole is on a roll ! Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again. During the raid, Cody, along with four police officers and two sheriff’s deputies, took cell phones and other electronic devices. She was the chief prosecutor of Morris County at the. Criminal Court. TOPEKA — Affidavits signed by a police chief and magistrate to warrant the raid on the Marion County Record were supposed to provide evidence that a reporter committed a crime. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Kansas Protection Order Portal (KS POP)TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission reports that 13 people applied to fill two district judge vacancies within the district. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least. C. Ensey issued a statement saying that “insufficient evidence. View requirements by county. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. No one has heard. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. New members are: District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, serving in Morris County of the 8th Judicial District, to serve through June 30, 2025. View Kansas's election results and maps for the 2022 midterm elections. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. Reporting on the 2012 charges this week, the Wichita Eagle said it was unclear how Viar’s DUI cases were resolved or whether officials in either county were aware of her arrest in another jurisdiction. Viar (M02) Amy C. Was sued for $1. Judge Laura Viar asked to respond to ethics claim leveled by Topekan. Judge Viar approved the search warrants. On Thursday, September 7, 2023, the NebraskaExaminer reported that the Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct has recently requested that Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar explain her decision to authorize search warrants used in controversial raids of the Marion newspaper office, the publisher’s home, and a city. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching. Divorce impact class attendance may be modified or excused by the assigned judge upon a showing of good cause. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. “The police department just did what the judge allowed them to do,” Mayfield said. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Sexton;. Mayfield said he’s “perplexed” that people are more upset with Cody, a newly hired police chief, than with Ensey and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, the two people with law licenses who he said were supposed to make sure the warrants were legally sound. MARION — In an unprecedented raid Aug. Joan Meyer was unable to eat or sleep after the raid; she. Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. Others are also calling into question whether the search warrant signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar adhered to the federal law protecting journalists from searches. Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on that search warrant. Officers hauled away computers, hard drives and reporters’. Defending Cody and six other law enforcement officers who raided the newspaper, the home of co-owners Joan and Eric Meyer, and the home of political rival Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel, Mayfield said he was “not sure exactly what they [the police] did wrong. An investigation by The Wichita Eagle published Wednesday revealed that Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar has been arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas. Judge who signed Kansas newspaper search warrant had 2 DUI arrests, reports say. Adams, arises from a challenge to the provision of Delaware’s Constitution which only allows. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. FOND DU LAC - Four people are in the running to become the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Judge serving Branch 3 this spring. See biographical information on Judge Laura E. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. The lawsuit, filed by Joseph Grabill and the St. Friday, officers showed up. She currently is county attorney for Morris County. District Magistrate Judge Laura E. Join the community:. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. View less. 18 Sep 2023. A judge with a history of DUI charges authorized a Kansas newspaper raid. Viar did not. TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed four new members and reappointed two current members to the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency. District Court AdministratorThe warrant, signed by Judge Laura Viar, provided for seizure of a virtually limitless range of records and devices, and made no effort to protect confidential source communications. The alleged victim is Kari Newell, who owns a restaurant in Marion and was trying to obtain a liquor license. Meyer takes a quick swipe at the Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who legal experts say did not take press protection laws into account before she signed Cody's warrants. Viar . Term expires June 30, 2023. Viar – ZOOM Meeting ID 642 522 8725The proposal would strip power from Judge Laura Viar, the Kansas magistrate judge that authorized the Marion Police Department’s raid. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. (WIBW) - The Kansas Supreme Court announced on Monday it has reappointed 27 chief judges in Kansas. CNN has reached out to Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant, and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that. The search warrant, which was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, allowed authorities to look for evidence of identity theft and evidence of criminal use of a computer. The search warrant in Marion, signed by county magistrate judge Laura Viar on Friday morning, allowed officers to confiscate a wide range of items, from computers and hardware to reporting documents. Boehm – ZOOM Meeting ID 459 437 2998 District Judge Keith L. View requirements by county. Chief Judge Benjamin J. m. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. ” Joan Meyer “collapsed Saturday afternoon and died at her. Kansas Courts says the 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has chosen Laura Viar to fill an open magistrate judge position in Morris Co. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Jeff is also a freelance writer and political contributor who has appeared on Fox News, The Hill's "Rising," Fox. This story was originally published August 18, 2023, 3:32 PM. Shortly after the August 11th raid, a Topeka woman submitted a complaint against Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. A copy of the order is shown below. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. The Committee to Protect Journalists is calling for an investigation into the raid at the Marion County Record, the Kansas newspaper at the center of a sharply criticized police investigation. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Live streaming will include jury trials, as space will be limited in the courtrooms to allow plenty of social distancing space for jurors, parties, witnesses, attorneys, and judicial staff. Legislators and executives campaign explicitly on their political beliefs, and once elected they are expected to make decisions based on these beliefs. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing a raid on the Marion County Record after the newspaper used a public database to confirm a restaurant owner’s drunk-driving record. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. Judge Laura Viar Wikipedia, political party A judge with a history of DUI charges authorized a Kansas newspaper raid. Richard Dietz. Jerry Lambe Dec 7th, 2019, 12:27 pm. 42,238. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar “scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag’s electronic devices. Republicans and Democrats differ drastically in their assessment of female judges, minority judges, research finds. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. The Marion County Record now has all of the devices police seized in a raid. Friday, Aug. First Amendment attorneys say the reporter committed no crime and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should have known the search warrants were unconstitutional when she signed them. . In the first arrest, Viar "was charged and entered a diversion agreement —. Video Access to Courtroom Hearings. This story was originally published August 19, 2023, 10:18 PM. The paper was founded as The Western News in 1869 in nearby Detroit, Kansas. The current chief of the court is Marla Luckert. On Aug. The local prosecutor, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey, revoked the warrants less than a week later after finding insufficient evidence linking the seized devices to the alleged crimes. According to a lawsuit filed against him by his former attorneys. She’s escaped the harshest possible coverage so far, but her approval cleared the way for this gross. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. Attempts to contact both Marion’s police chief – Gideon Cody – and the judge who authorized his agency to conduct the raids aimed at the Record, Laura Viar, for comment on Meyer’s sudden. Collett – ZOOM Meeting ID 362 121 8443 . 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District judge seat, was pulled over at least twice in 2012 for DUI in two different Kansas counties. Viar’s new position will be effective on her swearing-in. D. Boehm - Geary County Ryan W. That warrant was approved by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who spent nearly 18 years as a prosecutor before being appointed to the bench in 2022. COUNCIL GROVE — Some attorneys boast in TV ads about going after reckless drivers of big rigs, but a Council Grove attorney is accused of taking the wheel of aJudge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. )Judge who signed warrant is under scrutiny. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. SAM BAILEY/KANSAS REFLECTOR. Read More 576 Words. Amy C. Personally, I think Police Chief Gideon Cody, Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, and drunk driver Kari Newell are about to go through some things. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The search warrant in the Marion County Record raid, which was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar and obtained by the Kansas Reflector, lists 15 types of documents police were instructed to seize. Occupation: Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals Elected office held: Judge, North Carolina. Morris County Attorney Laura Viar is also on the list. 1998 Emporia State University; J. Full Details. 1) Magistrate Viar, or the presiding district judge, should immediately revoke the overly broad search warrant she signed and declare that any evidence seized under it be inadmissible in court. November 18, 2022, 18:57 GMT Share This Article TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in. Friday, August 11: Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed search warrant that alleges violations of identity theft and “unlawful acts concerning computers” regarding Newell. Additionally, the signature block on the affidavit shows where Magistrate Judge Laura Viar — who signed off on the warrants — had scratched through “notary” and wrote in “Magistrate Viar” instead, suggesting the affidavits were not on a standard form. Boehm; Honorable Susan C. [2] As of December 2020, five judges on the court were appointed by a Democratic governor and two judges were appointed by a Republican governor. The police obtained a two-page warrant from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar,. The article the Record published covered the council meeting and Newell’s accusation against the newspaper. Wow, unreal that she could approve such a warrant. The proposal would strip power from Judge Laura Viar, the Kansas magistrate judge that authorized the Marion Police Department’s raid. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody and Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey have come under intense scrutiny for their handling of the situation. District Court AdministratorFirst Amendment attorneys say the reporter committed no crime and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should have known the search warrants were unconstitutional when she signed them. Laura Viar, Morris County Attorney;That includes Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, who oversaw the raid, and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who approved the application for a search. Cody accused the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Ensey of knowing he was seeking warrants. Robson; Honorable Keith L. Law enforcement then obtained a search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. Keri Strahler, a Topeka resident, filed a complaint against the judge following the search with the. Officers hauled away computers, hard drives and reporters’. Those 2012 arrests came months apart in two counties — and it's not clear how much information was shared between officials at the time, The. Chief Judge Michael Powers, who serves Marion Co. Personal electronics used by the paper’s 98-year-old co-owner Joan Meyer, including a smart speaker she uses to ask for assistance, were among the items. (KSNW) – The publisher of the long-standing Marion County Record said his paper was raided this week by the Marion Police Department, who took. Judge Keith L. Kansas judge who signed off on 'Gestapo-style' raid of small-town newspaper has two DUIs. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. " Leben said Judge Viar should not have approved the search warrants. Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector The law requires law enforcement. m. That owner, Joan Meyer, passed away the next day with a coroner. In Marion, Kansas, yesterday morning, four local police officers and three sheriff’s deputies raided the office of the Marion County Record newspaper; the home of its co-owners, Eric Meyer and his 98 year old mother, Joan Meyer; and the home of Marion vice mayor Ruth Herbel, 80. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing a raid on the Marion County Record after the newspaper used a public database to confirm a restaurant owner’s drunk-driving record. Viar - (620) 767-6838, Option 1. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct says Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should explain her. Kansas Courts. Education. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Phone: 620-767-6838. Bill Chappell. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. Judge Laura Viar, a prominent figure in the 8th Judicial District, has been following the developments closely. Coppola. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. No corporations, political party,. The vacancies are due to two retirements. The 8th Judicial District is composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion and Morris counties. Steve Leben, former judge and Professor of Law at University of Missouri-Kansas City referred to Cody's affidavits as "weak. Amy C. Magistrate Judge. She currently is the county attorney for Morris County. They seized computers, cell phones, and other equipment. Dated this 26th day of June 2023.