State v. Ross: Kansas Preliminary Hearings Exclude Affirmative Defenses; K.S.A. 21-5109(d) Limits Only Multiple Convictions 1. Introduction In State v. Ross (Kan. July 17, 2026), the State appealed a...
Contextual Review of Sentencing Remarks: Hard 50 Departure Denials Reviewed for Abuse of Discretion 1. Introduction In State v. Sublett (Kan. July 10, 2026), the Kansas Supreme Court addressed who...
State v. Gardner: Kansas Reaffirms Deferential “Substantial Basis” Review and Rejects Divide-and-Conquer Attacks on Search-Warrant Affidavits Court: Supreme Court of Kansas Date: July 10, 2026 Case:...
Wrongful-Conviction Compensation Requires Actual Innocence of the Entire Alternative-Means Crime (Not Merely the Charged Means) Case: In re Wrongful Conviction of Arita (Kan. 2026-07-10) Court:...
In re Miller: “Knowing” KRPC 1.6 Disclosure Established by Deliberate Name-Mention, While KRPC 1.7 and 8.4(c) Fail Absent Clear-and-Convincing Proof Under Deferential Review 1. Introduction In re...
Post-Mandate Finality in Kansas Capital Cases: Mandate Rule Bars Resentencing and Post-Mandate Unassigned-Error Review; Alternative Counts Merge into One Sentence I. Introduction State v. J. Carr...
Post-Mandate Finality in Capital Appeals—No Resentencing or New “Unassigned Error” Review; Alternative Counts Merge to One Sentence 1. Introduction State v. R. Carr (consolidated with State v....
Hard-40 Sentences Are “Complete” Without an Express Parole Pronouncement; Erroneous Postrelease Supervision Terms Must Be Corrected Nunc Pro Tunc I. Introduction In State v. Brown (Kan. 2026-06-18),...
All Tenants in Common Must Sign to Count Acreage Toward a K.S.A. 12-757(f)(1) Zoning Protest Petition 1. Introduction Prairiewood Holdings, LLC v. Board of Riley County Commissioners (Kan. June 5,...
Pretrial Sixth Amendment Waiver Defects Are Not Per Se Structural When Cured Before Trial (Abrogating State v. Jones Under State v. Cantu) 1. Introduction Case: State v. Allen (Supreme Court of...
Partial Merits Dismissals Become Final and Appealable When the Last Remaining Claim Is Dismissed Without Prejudice 1. Introduction King v. Schwert (Kansas Supreme Court, May 22, 2026) addresses a...
Charging Document as an Absolute Boundary: Conviction for an Uncharged Protective-Order Subsection Requires Reversal 1. Introduction In State v. Boese (Kan. May 22, 2026), the Kansas Supreme Court...
State v. Valenciana: Bernhardt Timing Clarifications Require a Full Stanley Premeditation Instruction (and Reckless Criminal Threat Must Be Excluded from Criminal History) Court: Supreme Court of...
Kansas Rule: A Court Abuses Discretion by Relying on Contested Evidence Without First Ruling on Its Admissibility 1. Introduction Case: State ex rel. Kansas Highway Patrol v. $381,620 in U.S....
Savage v. Timsah: Kansas Rejects Attorney-Fee “Special Damages” in the Slander-of-Title Action Itself Court: Supreme Court of Kansas Date: May 15, 2026 Case: Savage v. Timsah, No. 127,122 1....
State v. Cooper: A Defendant’s Stipulation That a Named Entity Is the “Owner” Satisfies the Theft “Owner” Element and Bars Later Sufficiency Challenges 1. Introduction In State v. Cooper (Kan. May...
In re Trummel: Published Censure for Recurrent Neglect, Trust-Account Failures, and Noncooperation Despite Parties’ Request for Admonition 1. Introduction Case: In the Matter of LUANN K. TRUMMEL,...
State v. Kelly — Harmless-Error Review for Denied Use-of-Force Instructions in Aggravated-Burglary Felony Murder; “Physical Evidence Is Not Biased” Closing Argument Not Improper Vouching 1....
State v. Horton: Each Layer of Double Hearsay Must Independently Fit an Exception, and Appellate Courts May Independently Assess Prosecutorial Error Despite Sustained Objections Court: Supreme Court...
State v. Montgomery: Kansas Clarifies a Two-Step Framework for Judicial Comment Error (Error + Prejudice) and Chapman Harmlessness Court: Supreme Court of Kansas | Date: April 24, 2026 | Disposition:...