The goal of District Attorney Marc Bennett and his assistants in the 18th Judicial District is to make sure you are in compliance with the existing traffic laws.
The Traffic Unit prosecutes violations of the Kansas Uniform Act regulating traffic, drivers’ license violations, and seat belt violations.
There are 24,000 to 25,000
traffic cases handled each year by the Office of the
District Attorney of the 18th Judicial
District which covers Sedgwick County. This does
not include more than 70,000 traffic cases handled each
year by the Municipal Courts in Sedgwick County.
The District Court Traffic
Docket is each morning at 8:30 a.m. on the 5th
floor of the Sedgwick County Courthouse. During each
Traffic Docket between 80 and 120 cases are scheduled.
The date and time on your ticket are not unique
to your case. Several people are ordered to arrive
at the Traffic Docket at 8:30 a.m. You will likely
have to wait for some time. (The wait could be as
long as two hours, depending on the number of people
scheduled at the docket.)
Remember to make sure your citation is not from a Wichita Police Officer or other police department. If it is, you are required to be in Wichita Municipal Court or other Municipal Court as stated on the ticket, not the Sedgwick County Courthouse.
If you have one of these two
traffic complaints, (Sheriff or Kansas Highway Patrol)
you will need to appear in court on the date written on
your ticket. If you have questions about your
citation contact the
District Court at 316-660-9150 and follow the prompts. The Sedgwick County Courthouse
is located at northwest corner of Central and Main, 525
N. Main, Wichita KS.
The law enforcement officer
who gave you the ticket will not be available at
this Traffic Docket. That may come at a later hearing if
there is one.
Assistant District Attorneys
are available at 3:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday
to meet with members of the public who are trying to
address their ticket prior to their court date, not
after. This is called the “Walk-In Docket,” and it
occurs on the 5th floor of the Sedgwick
County Courthouse in the hallway outside the traffic
courtroom. It’s intended to help those who are
pro-active in their efforts to address minor infractions
such as speeding tickets, tag violations or equipment
violations. It’s also a chance for you to
demonstrate proof of insurance or valid driving
privileges to resolve a case that would otherwise
require a court appearance before the scheduled date.
But if you missed your
court date, you will need to come to
Court during a normal morning Traffic Docket call at
8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday to have your case
addressed. Assistant District Attorneys will not
be able to help you in the afternoon Walk-In Dockets.
Pursuant to K.S.A. 22-2906 et seq. the District Attorney has established a diversion program for all traffic offenders charged with DUI (driving under the influence) pursuant to K.S.A. 8-1567 et seq. A copy of this diversion program guideline will be furnished to each defendant upon his or her first appearance before the court.
Diversion is a privilege and not a right. There is no presumption in favor of diversion in any case, and the burden of persuasion falls upon the defendant to establish that a diversion program will serve the ends of justice and the interests of the community.
All defendants charged with DUI are eligible, except:
Those previously convicted of DUI or DWI (driving while intoxicated), even if the conviction has been expunged
Those previously diverted on a DUI or DWI charge
Offenses where a personal injury or a death is involved
Offenses where additional criminal (other than traffic) charges are filed
Offenses where the defendant’s driver’s license has been revoked, suspended or restricted at the time of the offense
Defendant has a commercial driver’s license or
Defendant has a hold from another jurisdiction or law enforcement agency for separate legal actions.
Applications are available here and in the diversion office. The completed application and a non-refundable $90.00 application fee in the form of a cashier’s check, money order, or attorney’s trust account check payable to "District Attorney" should be submitted to the diversion office within 30 days of the initial court appearance. Applications filed after that time will not be considered.
The defendant will then be scheduled for a drug/alcohol evaluation. The defendant may be required to have an interview with the diversion coordinator. The defendant shall give such information as may be necessary for the diversion committee to determine his suitability for diversion, including information which would otherwise be privileged.
The following factors shall be considered in determining whether diversion of the defendant is in the best interest of justice and will be of benefit to the defendant and the community:
Traffic diversion enables qualified adults to avoid a conviction while being held accountable for their violation of traffic laws through payment of costs, fines, and education programs if warranted. Upon the successful completion of the program, charges are dismissed.
Application for Traffic Diversion Program
CONTACT: Office of the District Attorney Adult & Traffic Diversion Division - AdultTrafficDiversion@sedgwick.gov
Marc Bennett
District Attorney
Address
535 N. Main
Wichita, KS 67203
p. 316.660-3600 1-800-432-6878
Like us on facebook.