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. The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Mr. 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. 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. Viar’s new position will be effective on her swearing-in. Dated this 26th day of June 2023. Journalists “feared that the magistrates who issued warrants for these searches, often political allies of law enforcement officials, would be biased in deciding whether there was. Judge who signed warrant is under scrutiny. Judge Laura Viar has previously been arrested for two DUI incidents in 2012. Susan Robson - Marion County Courtney D. 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. Legislators and executives campaign explicitly on their political beliefs, and once elected they are expected to make decisions based on these beliefs. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. During the raid, Cody, along with four police officers and two sheriff’s deputies, took cell phones and other electronic devices from the newsroom. ". 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. Download original document: Document text This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. . TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. The judge who signed off on a search warrant authorizing the raid of a newspaper office in Marion, Kansas, is facing a complaint about her decision and has been asked by a judicial body to respond, records shared with CNN by the complainant show. %. Laura Viar, Morris County Attorney. Wow, unreal that she could approve such a warrant. " Leben said Judge Viar should not have approved the search warrants. 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. Democrats tend to be less skeptical of female and minority. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Viar. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Special Requirements in the 8th. 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. Both incidents happened in 2012 in Morris and Coffey counties. As a respected advocate for upholding the. 6 in Morris County. 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. The first federal lawsuit has been filed in relation to the Marion Police Department raid on the Marion County Record in mid-August. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Officers hauled away computers, hard drives and reporters’. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancies. Adams, No. Viar did not. TOPEKA, Kan. Loading Do Not Show Again Close. Jeff is also a freelance writer and political contributor who has appeared on Fox News, The Hill's "Rising," Fox. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Unless completion of the class is excused by the court, failure to do so will. Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey withdrew the warrant last. A retired teacher in Saudi Arabia,. Delaware’s requirement that there must be a political balance among judges is unconstitutional, according to a federal appeals court on Tuesday. 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. Council Grove, KS 66846. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement. See an overview of the judges that make up the 8th Judicial District of Kansas. 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. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a. Boehm – ZOOM Meeting ID 459 437 2998 District Judge Keith L. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. The nominees for one vacancy, which was created by Judge. Boehm. At the time, Viar's last name was Allen. Live streams for the Morris County District Court can be viewed online at the link below. — Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant allowing police to raid a Marion newspaper, is being asked by the state to respond to a complaint. 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. 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. 11, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and reporting materials from the Marion County Record office, the newspaper’s reporters and the publisher’s home. TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed four new members and reappointed two current members to the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. , will retire on Aug. 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. 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. Viar’s new position will. Sometime before 11 a. She currently is the county attorney for Morris County. Courtesy IversonLawOffice. The 8th Judicial District is made up of Dickinson, Geary, Marion and Morris counties. 2020. 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. %. @ruralindexing. 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. 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. Judge Laura Viar, who signed off on a search warrant authorizing the searches, is facing a complaint about her decision and has been asked by a judicial body to respond, records shared with CNN by. Sexton – ZOOM Meeting ID 646 694 5873 District Judge Susan C. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. 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. (note: the dying bird is randomly NOT supplying the full tweet, so you may. Meyer’s previous. COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. 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. , will retire on Aug. Republicans often hold the opposite view. Judge Viar approved the search warrants. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner’s past DUI conviction. Image credit Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching. The lawsuit, filed by Joseph Grabill and the St. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. The alleged victim is Kari Newell, who owns a restaurant in Marion and was trying to obtain a liquor license. [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. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of nominees for two district judge vacancies to Gov. Eric Meyer, who is Joan Meyer’s son, told the Kansas Reflector on Friday that “basically, all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended. 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. 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. Judges: Magistrate Judge Laura E. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Clipart Library graphic. TOPEKA — The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct requested 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 council member’s residence. Sometime before 11 a. Zoom Meeting ID: 920 1538 9098Laura Crane: Candidate for D. The paper was founded as The Western News in 1869 in nearby Detroit, Kansas. The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct says Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should explain her. 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. 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. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she. Cody accused the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Ensey of knowing he was seeking warrants. A Topeka woman, Keri Strahler, filed a complaint. Interviews are coming next month as Morris County District Court fills a judge position. The 8th District Nominating Commission has announced Nov. Mayfield said police sought an additional search warrant related to the tipster who shared documents with The Record and Herbel. View Kansas's election results and maps for the 2022 midterm elections. District Magistrate Judge. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. See biographical information on Judge Laura E. In nonpartisan elections, however, a judge is specifically prohibited from disclosing party affiliation. In 2022, Viar was named magistrate judge by the 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Richard Dietz. Joseph County Republican Party, also claims the St. 11 minutes; comment; Now Playing (Clips). 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. 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. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time, was put on diversion for an arrest in Coffey County. ”. Marla Luckert. authorized by Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar). Chief Judge Benjamin J. Supreme Court on Friday announced it will decide whether a state can consider the political affiliation of appointed judges in order to maintain the state courts’ ideological balance. Boy, did we get a talking-to. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. 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. 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 police department just did what the judge allowed them to do,” Mayfield said. Join the community:. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. essentially threw Judge Viar under the bus. 6 in Morris County. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity. 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. Emporia, KS, USA / KVOE. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar reportedly signed off on the search warrant, according to Kansas Reflector. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time. No corporations, political party,. But Judge Viar has a DUI history of her own. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. Join the community:. If not for cheating both legal and illegal there is one political party in America that would rarely be politically empowered. The next step should occur Monday in the case of a Council Grove attorney accused of trying to run over a City Council member. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. Superior Court Laura Cranehas served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia since 2014. 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. m. 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. Special Requirements in the 8th. Too little, too late on the part of Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who approved the raid despite having a complicated background that might have clouded her decision. Bill Chappell | August 17, 2023 A stack of the latest edition of the weekly Marion County Record sits in the back of the newspaper’s building in Marion, Kansas, on Wednesday. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. Its offices are across the street from the Marion County Courthouse. Friday, Aug. According to a Wichita Eagle investigation, Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed Jan. 11, the court did not receive the affidavits until Monday, Aug. Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. Kansas Protection Order Portal (KS POP) Chief Judge Michael Powers will retire August 20. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she. 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. 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. A Kansas commission tasked with investigating judicial misconduct wants the judge who signed off on an extraordinary search of a newspaper to explain herself. District Magistrate Judge Laura E. Police who searched Meyer’s home also took photos of his personal bank records. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. "Laura Viar probably doesn. MARION — In an unprecedented raid Aug. Live streams for the Morris County District Court can be viewed online at the link below. 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. The Role of Judicial Political Affiliation in Criminal Sentencing Outcomes, 2020 • Locations: United States of America • Topics: Sentencing. 913-735-3689. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity. In the first arrest, Viar "was charged and entered a diversion agreement —. 90. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out. (WIBW) - The Kansas Supreme Court announced on Monday it has reappointed 27 chief judges in Kansas. The 8th Judicial District is composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion, and Morris counties. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. The Kansas Professional Chapter of SPJ Board of Directors is particularly disappointed with the actions of Viar, which we assert violate established federal law protecting journalists. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed off on the search warrants, is scheduled to go before the Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct next month for a complaint filed against her following the raid. Magistrate Judge. Collett;. The vacancies are due to two retirements. Laura E. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of nominees for two district judge vacancies to Gov. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. 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. Video Access to Courtroom Hearings. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity. In 2017, attorney James Adams filed a lawsuit against Gov. Judge Amy C. Ensey acknowledged Cody sent him the warrants. Interviews will take place at the Morris County Courthouse. 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 signed a warrant to allow police to raid the newspaper over claims it illegally obtained DUI information about a business owner. 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. Michelle Terry, Tecumseh. News. Judge Laura Viar Wikipedia, Political Party Judge with a history of DUI charges authorized the raid on the Kansas newspaper. Coppola - Geary County Neal Gugler - Dickinson County Laura Viar - Morris County . The Liberal Party has demanded that the Victorian Electoral Commission stop interfering in the state election after the commission directly contradicted Opposition. 19-309, concerns a provision of Delaware’s Constitution that says judges affiliated with any one political party can make up no more than a “bare majority” on the state’s. This story was originally published August 19, 2023, 10:18 PM. Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector The law requires law enforcement to. m. Officers with the Marion Police Department, acting on a warrant, raided the office and also the home of its 98-year-old owner. Sometime before 11 a. 21, 2018. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Benjamin Sexton - Dickinson County . At the time, Viar’s last. Over the weekend and into Monday morning, journalists have been trying to obtain records that would detail Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar's decision. She currently is county attorney for Morris County. Divorce impact class attendance may be modified or excused by the assigned judge upon a showing of good cause. 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. 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. Bill Chappell. View requirements by county. ahead. 15, she appointed Magistrate Judge Keith Collett, of Chapman, to the vacancy in the 8th Judicial District created by the retirement of Judge Steven. Court records show the driving force behind the ongoing criminal investigation is Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, who applied for and obtained the search warrants. The Kansas Reflector reported: “The search warrant, signed by Marion county district court magistrate judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching. Apparently this sort of work isn’t appreciated by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who OK’d the raid on the Marion County Record and Meyer’s home — where, according to the Record, the zealous. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. Judge Laura Viar asked to respond to ethics claim leveled by Topekan. They targeted the news outlet with impunity. Viar - (620) 767-6838, Option 1. , 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. 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. 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. I hope the ACLU holds Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to account for this travesty. Judge Courtney D. Succeeds Jade Ramsdell. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity theft and. Party Identification Trends, 1992-2017. See biographical information on Judge Laura E. 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. Amy C. 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. September 6, 2023 · 3 min read. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancies. At the time, Viar's last name was Allen. 17, Keri. 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. The Marion County Record now has all of the devices police seized in a raid. 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. It appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists, requiring law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Krista Blaisdell, Geary County Attorney. Succeeds Gita Noble. On Aug. play_arrow. 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. 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. . 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. Jennifer Wyatt, an attorney in private practice . The warrant was approved and cited probable. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. 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. 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. Name: Richard Dietz Age: 45 Immediate family: I am happily married to Kelley Dietz. 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. Iverson. Note: Kansas law has allowed voters to request an advance by mail ballot without requiring a reason since 1996. Fax: 305-520-4050. The search warrant for the raid, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, was to look for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. Kansas judge who signed off on 'Gestapo-style' raid of small-town newspaper has two DUIs. 6 in Morris County. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. — Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant allowing police to raid a Marion newspaper, is being asked by the state to respond to a. 6 in Morris County. The article the Record published covered the council meeting and Newell’s accusation against the newspaper. m. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. Judge Laura Viar, a prominent figure in the 8th Judicial District, has been following the developments closely. The police department in Marion, Kansas — a town of about 2,000 — raided the Marion County Record under a. B. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner. Aug 13, 2023. We will hear more about Marion city leaders too, not to mention Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. However, law enforcement could not have executed this illegal raid without the signing of a warrant by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. The current chief of the court is Marla Luckert. Police raided the Marion County Record's office on Friday as well as the home of Joan Meyer and her son, Eric. However, law enforcement could not have executed this illegal raid without the signing of a warrant by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. 50,257. 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. Chief Judge Michael Powers, who serves Marion Co. That owner, Joan Meyer, passed away the next day with a coroner. Over the weekend and into Monday morning, journalists have been trying to obtain records that would detail Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar's decision to sign off on the search warrant. 18 Sep 2023. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Votes. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. C. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. S. Judge who signed the warrant has her own DUI history. 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. Three, we know that Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey announced he was withdrawing the. Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector The law requires law enforcement. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Police in Kansas have returned cellphones, computers and other equipment to the Marion County Record, less than a week after a raid on the small-town newspaper was widely criticized as a likely violation of federal law. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. During the raid, Cody, along with four police officers and two sheriff’s deputies, took cell phones and other electronic devices. Chris Mann Democratic. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. 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. m. Personally, I think Police Chief Gideon Cody, Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, and drunk driver Kari Newell are about to go through some things. 6 in Morris County. Judge Laura Viar is a magistrate judge in the 8th district in Kansas — she was elected in 2022 per that court’s webpage (. 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. )Judge who signed warrant is under scrutiny. 501 W Main Street. Clipart Library graphic. 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. Viar. Shortly after the August 11th raid, a Topeka woman submitted a complaint against Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Judge Laura Viar, a prominent figure in the 8th Judicial District, has been following the developments closely. 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. D. Viar - (620) 767-6838, Option 1. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time, was put on diversion for an arrest in Coffey County. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. Laura Viar, Council Grove, county attorney, Morris County . (Tim. The Eighth District serves Morris, Dickinson,. FOND DU LAC - Four people are in the running to become the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Judge serving Branch 3 this spring. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she. ". 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 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. They seized computers, cell phones, and other equipment. Pew Research Center has been tracking the party affiliation of the general public for over 20 years. The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected current County Attorney Laura Viar as the county’s next magistrate judge. 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. Rosauer - Geary County Keith Collett - Geary County . 8/12/2023 10:36 AM PT. The judge was arrested twice in 2012 — once on Jan. But Judge Viar has a DUI history of her own.