Appellate Discretion to Decline Review of Unpreserved Claims Even When an Exception Could Apply Case: State v. Smith Court: Supreme Court of Kansas Date: April 24, 2026 1. Introduction State v. Smith...
State v. Exon: Third-Party Medical Negligence Is Irrelevant Absent a Superseding, Sole Cause; Oral Pronouncement Controls Sentencing 1. Introduction In State v. Exon (Kan. Apr. 17, 2026), the Kansas...
State v. Ruff: K.S.A. 21-2512(a)(3) Requires Proof of Superior “New DNA Techniques”—Time Alone Does Not Justify Retesting Introduction In State v. Ruff (Kan. Apr. 3, 2026), Herbert Ruff sought...
Plain-Text Jail Credit Allows “Duplicative” Credit Across Consecutive Cases; Absurdity, Legislative Silence, and In Pari Materia Cannot Add Unwritten Carveouts 1. Introduction Case: State v. Zongker...
Quo Warranto Requires a Concrete Challenged Official Act: Discretionary Original Jurisdiction Declined When the Remaining Dispute Becomes Abstract or Is Better Resolved Elsewhere I. Introduction...
Late Witness Endorsement Denials Are Discretionary and May Be Appealed as “Suppressing Evidence” When They Substantially Impair Prosecution Introduction State v. Craig (Kan. Mar. 20, 2026) arises...
Forfeiture of Juror-Retention Challenges Absent Objection, and Standing Limits for Vehicle Searches Case: State v. Manzano-Legarda (Kan. Mar. 20, 2026) Court: Supreme Court of Kansas Core holdings...
State v. Lopez: “Substantial and Compelling” Hard-50 Departures Demand Case-Forcing Mitigation; Denials Are Reviewed for Abuse of Discretion Introduction In State v. Lopez (Kan. Mar. 13, 2026), the...
State v. Bey: Deceased Victim’s Abuse/Threat Statements Admissible Under K.S.A. 60-460(d)(3) and K.S.A. 60-455; “Puzzle” Analogies Permitted for Circumstantial Evidence (Not Reasonable Doubt) I....
Kansas Classifies Nevada Robbery (NRS 200.380 [1995]) as Nonperson Unless Its Elements Require Fear of Bodily Harm or a Qualifying “Person Present” Circumstance 1. Introduction State v. Evans (Kan....
Uncontested Common-Law Marriage Appeals: Kansas Supreme Court May Review and Affirm to Secure Federal Recognition 1. Introduction Case: In re Common-Law Marriage of Kelley (Kan. Feb. 27, 2026)....
In re Stewart: KRPC 8.4(c) Misrepresentation Requires Proof the Statement Adversely Reflects on Fitness to Practice Law Court: Supreme Court of Kansas Date: February 27, 2026 Disposition: Published...
State v. Arroyo: Context-Driven Limits on “Defense Could Have Presented Evidence” Rebuttal in Closing Argument Introduction In State v. Arroyo (Kan. Feb. 13, 2026), the Kansas Supreme Court affirmed...
State v. Rayton: Direct Appeal of Presentence Plea-Withdrawal Denials and “Lackluster Advocacy” Under Edgar 1. Introduction In State v. Rayton (Kan. Feb. 13, 2026), the Kansas Supreme Court affirmed...
State v. Calvert: K.S.A. 21-5801(b)(6) Prior-Theft “Five-Year” Recidivism Is a Sentencing Fact, and Judges May Use Court Records Mechanically to Find Conviction Dates and Statutes Court: Supreme...
Standard Procedures Do Not Defeat Miranda Custody; “No, ’Cause I Don’t Know Where This Is Going” Is Not an Unequivocal Invocation of Silence Introduction In State v. McCullough (Kan. Jan. 30, 2026),...
Foreseeability Cannot Supply Specific Intent for Aiding-and-Abetting Premeditated Murder; Limits on Involuntary Manslaughter Lesser-Included Instructions Introduction In State v. Wright (Kan. Jan....
State v. Denney: Liberal Construction of Pro Se Postconviction Motions—Substance Controls Whether Filing Proceeds Under K.S.A. 22-3504 or K.S.A. 60-1507 Court: Supreme Court of Kansas Date: January...
In re K.R. (Kan. 2026): Termination Void Absent an Explicit “Unlikely to Change in the Foreseeable Future” Finding Under K.S.A. 38-2269(a) 1. Introduction Case: In the Interest of K.R., a Minor...
State v. Gatewood: Disputed Criminal-History Proof and Substantial-Competent-Evidence Review for Person-Felony Classification Introduction In State v. Gatewood (Kan. Jan. 16, 2026), the Kansas...