Court

Valley Falls Municipal Court

Municipal Court Judge - Dennis L. Reiling

City Prosecutor - Andrew Werring 

City Attorney - Leonard Buddenbohm  

Court Clerk - Destiny Schrick

Monthly Court Date: Court is held the last Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m.

Understanding Municipal Court

The Valley Falls Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and record which, through its judge and staff, adjudicates traffic infractions and misdemeanor offenses that are alleged to have occurred within the Valley Falls city limits.  The Municipal Court Judge, pursuant to applicable provisions of City Ordinance, various state laws and court rules, conduct all hearings – there are no jury trials in Municipal Court.

A person alleged to have committed a violation of City ordinance receives a citation or complaint which is filed with the Court by either an authorized law enforcement officer or the City Attorney. Persons charged are typically referred to by the Court as the “Accused” or the “Defendant.” All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by the Prosecution. Generally, defendant’s must answer to the charges filed by either acknowledging guilt and paying the citation in full, including any applicable fine, costs and fees via mail or in person or by personally appearing at the court within the timeframe allotted to set a court date to have the case adjudicated. Failure to pay any citation or complaint or appear to schedule a court date within the appropriate timeframe may result in an order from the Court seeking the defendant’s arrest on a bench warrant and may result in the suspension of driving privileges for the accused with the State of Kansas. Defendants who are subject to a bench warrant for failure to appear in Court have the right to post bond or bail to seek recall of the warrant and receive a new court date.

Requesting a Continuance

Here are some reasons why you may want to delay your day in court:

  • You need more time to prepare your defense in order to represent yourself at the hearing.
  • You or a key witness will be out of town.
  • You need more time to hire an attorney or apply for legal aid.
  • You need more time to obtain important evidence or subpoena an important witness.

To delay your court appearance, make your request to the City Prosecutor at least 10 days prior to the court date.  Most continuances made on the day of trial will be denied, but usually at least one delay will be granted if it is made several weeks before the trial date. 

If a defendant cannot appear to set a court date or for a first appearance hearing, he or she is required to request a Motion for Continuance with the City Prosecutor and submit it the Court for consideration at least 10 days prior to the court appearance date.

The City of Valley Falls Suggested Dress Code Guidelines

Male Dress Code

  • Shoes with socks
  • Long pants (on pants with belt loops, wear a belt)
  • Collared shirt (tucked in) with a tie, with or without a jacket

Female Dress Code

  • Shoes 
  • Dress, skirt or long pants
  • Blouse, sweater or casual dress shirt

You will NOT be allowed to enter the Courtroom wearing the following inappropriate clothing.

  • Shorts
  • Hats (men) or hair curlers (women)
  • Halter or tube top
  • T-shirt or muscle shirt
  • See-through top
  • Flip flops
  • Clothing that exposes your midriff or underwear
  • Ripped or torn jeans
  • Baggy pants that fall below your waist
  • Clothing with an emblem or wording that promotes illegal or inappropriate activity
  • Clothing that depicts or promotes violence, sex acts, illegal drug use or profanity

NOTICE

All mobile devices, including phones, must be turned off. Photography and audio recordings are prohibited. No food or drink will be allowed in the court room at any time.

a gavel

Law and Order