Lyon County
Lyon County was created in 1862 from portions of Breckinridge County. It covers approximately 847.5 square miles and has about 32,182 residents. The county seat and largest city is Emporia.
Lyon County courts include a District Court and Municipal Courts. The Lyon County District Court is part of the Fifth Judicial District Court of Kansa, a trial court with general jurisdiction. It handles all matters involving civil, criminal, divorce, domestic relations, probate, mental health, and juvenile cases. It has a Small Claims Court that allows people to settle minor legal affairs and disputes without an attorney. Individuals filing a small claims case must be over 18 years old and may claim a maximum of $10,000 in damages. The District Court operates Specialty Courts, which help to lead offenders out of a cycle of crime and substance abuse. The Specialty Courts in Lyon County consist of an Adult Drug Court and a Home Court. The Home Court addresses cases where minor offenders are placed in the custody of the Juvenile Justice Authority for out-of-home placement. Municipal Courts generally preside over traffic infractions and ordinance violations in cities.
Lyon County public court records include all documents and filings of judicial proceedings in the county. The Clerk of the Lyon County District Court is responsible for creating, maintaining, and disseminating the following court records to the public:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Traffic records
- Family law records
- Probate records
Per the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), anyone may inspect and obtain copies of court records in Lyon County unless sealed by law or court order. Generally, individuals may complete the Request Form for Court Records and submit it at the clerk's office at:
Lyon County Courthouse
430 Commercial Street
Emporia, KS 66801
Phone: (620) 341-3280
Fax: (620) 341-3497
Anyone may register for an account to search Lyon County District Court case information through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal. Individuals may also access court records from the computer terminals available in the courthouse.
