Harvey County
Harvey County was established in 1872 and named after James Harvey, a former Kansas governor. It is located in south-central Kansas, as part of the Wichita Metropolitan Area. It spans approximately 539.8 square miles, with a population of about 33,959 residents. Newton, the county's largest city, serves as the county seat.
Harvey County's judicial system operates under Kansas's Statewide Judicial Framework and primarily comprises the District Court, which handles most civil and criminal cases. Its municipal courts operate on a small scale due to its low population density. The District Court oversees civil cases without financial limits, felonies, misdemeanors, and probate cases, including wills and estate settlements. It also addresses family law matters, such as divorce, custody, and child support, and juvenile cases, including delinquency and child-in-need-of-care matters. The Municipal courts, including those in cities like Newton, Halstead, and Hesston, primarily handle violations of city ordinances, including traffic infractions, citations, and certain criminal offenses, such as petty theft or nuisances.
Harvey County court records are the official documentation of judicial activities, including pleas, motions, writs, case filings, and orders within the county. They play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in the judicial system. These records are managed by the Harvey County Clerk of Court and are generally available to the public under the Kansas Open Records Act. Examples of Harvey County court records are:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Probate Records
- Family Records
- Traffic Records
However, restricted records such as juvenile or adoption case records require special permission.
Records may be accessed through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal using a case number or party name. Alternatively, the Harvey County Clerk's Office provides access to documents and filing information. Interested persons can visit the Clerk of Court Office at the Harvey County Courthouse at:
800 N Main St
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (316) 284-6890
Physical copies of court records cost $0.25 per page while certification of records may incur additional costs.