Barton County, KS Courts and Public Records
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The District Court of the 20th Judicial District is the main trial court for Barton County, with the Clerk of the District Court in Great Bend. It handles felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | District Court, 20th Judicial District (Barton County) |
| Main Address | 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530-4098 |
| Main Phone | 620-793-1856 |
| Website | bartoncounty.org |
| Clerk of the District Court | Martha Rivas |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Great Bend) |
| Handles | Felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil and limited civil cases, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas), city ordinance cases heard by municipal courts, parking tickets (issuing city or agency), and appeals (Kansas Court of Appeals or Kansas Supreme Court) |
How to Search Barton County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Barton County district court records are kept by the Clerk of the District Court in Great Bend.
Online
Go to kscourts.gov for Kansas Judicial Branch district court information.
Check the official site for court contact details and public access information.
Confirm with the clerk which records are available online.
Best for: Checking court contact details first
In Person
Go to 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530-4098.
Bring the full name, case number, or approximate dates you have.
Ask the clerk whether public terminals are available for searching.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call 620-793-1856 to reach the Clerk of the District Court.
Ask which records the clerk can search or copy.
Confirm what details you need before visiting the courthouse.
Best for: Confirming a record before visiting
Search by Name on KansasCourtAccess.org
Go to KansasCourtAccess.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Barton County Court Statistics
This section covers population and court structure for Barton County. No verified filing counts are stated here, so the figures below do not describe the court's annual workload.
24,790
Population in 2025 (Census estimate)
-66
Change from 24,913 in 2024 (-0.3%)
0.83%
Share of 2,977,220 Kansas residents in 2024
20th
Judicial district covering Barton County
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| County population, 2025 | 24,790 |
| County population, 2024 | 24,913 |
| Population change, 2024 to 2025 | -123 (-0.5%) |
| Kansas population, 2025 | 2,977,220 |
| County share of Kansas population, 2025 | 0.83% |
| Judicial district | 20th Judicial District |
| Judicial districts in Kansas | 31 |
How Have Court Filings Changed in Barton County?
Estimated total filings in Barton County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024 | ~3,302 | ~3,219 | ~+3.9% |
| FY 2023 | ~3,177 | ~3,110 | ~+5.5% |
| FY 2022 | ~3,010 | ~2,943 | ~+4.4% |
| FY 2021 | ~2,884 | ~2,759 | ~+1.5% |
| FY 2020 | ~2,842 | ~2,675 | ~+1.5% |
Estimated filings changed +16.2% between FY 2020 and FY 2024, from 2,842 to 3,302. The largest annual change was +5.5% in FY 2023. The latest change of +3.9% reflects statewide Kansas trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kansas statewide figures scaled by Barton County's 0.84% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Barton County?
The District Court of the 20th Judicial District hears the case types listed below for Barton County. Filing counts and shares are not stated in this section.
| Case Type | Where It Is Heard |
|---|---|
| Felonies | District Court |
| Misdemeanors | District Court |
| Traffic citations | District Court or municipal court, depending on the citation |
| Civil and limited civil cases | District Court |
| Domestic relations | District Court |
| Probate | District Court |
| Juvenile cases | District Court |
| City ordinance cases | Municipal court |
| Federal cases | U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas |
| Appeals | Kansas Court of Appeals or Kansas Supreme Court |
How Does Barton County Compare With Kansas Overall?
Barton County is estimated to account for about 0.84% of the 395,000 cases filed in Kansas courts in FY 2024.
| Metric | Barton County | Kansas | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~3,302 | 395,000 | ~0.84% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+3.9% | +3.9% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,651 | 1,463 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,610 | 1,426 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~46.8% | 46.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~30.4% | 30.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~7.6% | 7.6% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Kansas figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kansas statewide figures scaled by Barton County's 0.84% share of the state population.
Barton County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Kansas statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Barton County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 10.5% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 95.3% of Kansas's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
13,436
Violent crimes, Kansas statewide, 2025
54,277
Property crimes, Kansas statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
451.3
Violent crime rate per 100K, Kansas statewide, 2025 (population 2,977,220)
-10.5%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Kansas statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (67,713 vs 75,638)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 133 | 4.5 | 116 | +14.7% |
| Rape | 1,335 | 44.8 | 1,370 | -2.6% |
| Robbery | 928 | 31.2 | 985 | -5.8% |
| Aggravated assault | 11,040 | 370.8 | 11,082 | -0.4% |
| Violent crimes total | 13,436 | 451.3 | 13,553 | -0.9% |
| Burglary | 8,174 | 274.6 | 8,454 | -3.3% |
| Larceny-theft | 39,346 | 1321.6 | 45,676 | -13.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 6,339 | 212.9 | 7,526 | -15.8% |
| Property crimes total | 54,277 | 1823.1 | 62,085 | -12.6% |
Rates use the Kansas 2025 population of 2,977,220. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Barton County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Barton County Courthouse Locations
Barton County has 1 Clerk of the District Court location, in Great Bend. Check your notice or citation for the division or courtroom before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barton County Courthouse (Great Bend) | 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530-4098 | 620-793-1856 | Clerk of the District Court |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Barton County?
Most Barton County cases start in the District Court, which the Clerk of the District Court in Great Bend supports. Parking tickets and some traffic matters go to other agencies or courts.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court or municipal court, depending on the citation | The citation shows which court handles the ticket. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the District Court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | The District Court hears misdemeanor cases. |
| Felony | District Court | The District Court hears felony cases. |
| DUI | District Court | State DUI charges are heard in the District Court, and city ordinance DUI cases may go to municipal court. |
| Domestic violence | District Court | The District Court hears criminal charges and protection order cases. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court | The District Court hears civil and limited civil cases. |
| Divorce | District Court, Domestic Relations | Divorce cases are heard in the District Court. |
| Child custody or support | District Court, Domestic Relations | Custody and support matters are heard in the District Court. |
| Probate or estate | District Court, Probate | The District Court hears probate matters. |
| Juvenile case | District Court, Juvenile | Juvenile cases are heard in the District Court and are restricted from public access. |
| Appeal | Kansas Court of Appeals or Kansas Supreme Court | Appeals go to the appellate courts, not to the trial clerk. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas | Federal charges and federal civil cases are filed in federal court. |
Are Barton County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Barton County district court records are public, with exceptions set by Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196 and the court's own rules.
Public records
The Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.) governs public agency records, and Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196 governs access to court records. Most district court case files, including dockets, filings, and orders, are open for inspection.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Do not expect access to these records without a court order.
Online access
Search by name at KansasCourtAccess.org, a public access portal run through the Kansas Judicial Branch. Online results are not official court records, and not every document is online. General information is available at kscourts.gov.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of the District Court at 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530-4098 to view or request records. Call 620-793-1856 to confirm which office holds your case.
Fees
No fees are stated in this section. Ask the Clerk of the District Court about copy charges before you request records.
How to Search Barton County Court Records Online
Use the official Kansas portal to search Barton County cases, and ask the Clerk of the District Court for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Go to KansasCourtAccess.org to search by name or case number.
- Review the case details, and note the case number for later requests.
- Confirm results with the Clerk of the District Court at 620-793-1856.
- Ask the clerk for documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information for criminal cases | Results are not official court records; confirm with the clerk |
| Traffic | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information for traffic cases | Results are not official court records; confirm with the clerk |
| Civil | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information for civil cases | Results are not official court records; confirm with the clerk |
| Small claims | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information for small claims | Results are not official court records; confirm with the clerk |
| Family law | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information for domestic relations cases | Results are not official court records; confirm with the clerk |
| Probate | KansasCourtAccess.org or the Clerk of the District Court | Case information for probate matters | Results are not official court records; confirm with the clerk |
| Juvenile | Clerk of the District Court only | Case information through the clerk | Juvenile records are not publicly available |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Barton County
This section does not list payment methods, because no verified official payment page for Barton County is available in these sources.
Call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-793-1856 to ask which payment options the court accepts for traffic citations and criminal fines.
Parking tickets are paid to the city or agency that issued them, not to the District Court.
Barton County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Barton County court records?
Go to KansasCourtAccess.org to search by name, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-793-1856.
Are Barton County court records public?
Most are public under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196, but juvenile, sealed, expunged, and protective-order-restricted records are not.
How do I find a criminal case in Barton County?
Search by name at KansasCourtAccess.org, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-793-1856 with the defendant's name.
How do I find a court date in Barton County?
Check your ticket or notice, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-793-1856.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Barton County?
Check the citation to see whether the District Court or a municipal court handles it, then call 620-793-1856 to ask about payment options.
How many cases are filed in Barton County each year?
No verified filing count is stated for Barton County. The county had 24,790 residents in 2025 (Census estimate).
What is the most common type of case?
No case type counts are stated for Barton County. The District Court hears felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases.
Is crime in Kansas rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 0.9% to 13,436 in 2025 from 13,553 in 2024, and property crimes fell 12.6% to 54,277 from 62,085, as reported to the FBI. These are Kansas statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Barton County District Court (20th J.D.)More Info
| Address: | 1400 Main St., Great Bend, KS, 67530 |
| Phone Number: | 620-793-1856 |
| Fax: | 620-793-1860 |
| Website: | https://www.bartoncounty.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/District%20Court |
Great Bend Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 1217 Williams St, Great Bend, KS, 67530 |
| Phone Number: | (620) 793-4124 |
| Fax: | (620) 793-4156 |
| Website: | https://www.greatbendks.net/63/Municipal-Court |
Hoisington Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 109 E. First St., Hoisington, KS, 67544 |
| Phone Number: | (620) 653-4995 |
| Fax: | (620) 653-2422 |
| Website: | https://www.hoisingtonks.org/departments |
Ellinwood Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 104 East Second Street, Ellinwood, KS, 67526 |
| Phone Number: | (620) 564-3161 |
| Fax: | (620) 564-3375 |
| Website: | https://cityofellinwoodks.com/services/municipal-court/ |
Useful Links
- Barton County Kansas Judicial District - KS Courts Find information on local court services, contacts, and the judicial district within Barton County, Kansas.
- Barton County Clerk - Official Government Website Obtain public records, voter registration information, and other legal documents through the Barton County Clerk's office.
- Kansas.gov - County Court Search Access Kansas county court records and services including case lookups and legal proceedings across the state.
- Kansas Judicial Council - Home Explore legal resources, judicial publications, and guidelines to understand the court operations in Kansas.
- Kansas Legal Services - Legal Aid Services Receive legal aid and support, including family cases and legal representation for Kansas residents.
- Kansas Statutes Annotated Explore state statutes relevant to legal cases and understand law interpretations within Kansas.
- Kansas Bar Association - Home Engage with professional legal resources, find attorneys and learn about Kansas legal practices and news.
- CourtReference.com – Barton County, Kansas Court Directory Navigate local court systems in Barton County using this comprehensive directory of public court locations.
- 20th Judicial District Barton County - KS Courts Retrieve specific court information related to the 20th judicial district serving Barton County.
- Kansas Family Court - Services Understand family court services, processes, and support offered for family-related legal issues.
- FindLaw - Kansas Section Research Kansas-specific legal articles, case law, and resources for understanding state legal matters.
- Barton County, Kansas Free Public Records Access a repository of free public records and legal documents for Barton County, Kansas.
- Kansas Appleseed - Legal Advocacy Learn about public policy advocacy, legal aid, and community services in Kansas.
- Kansas State Records - Home Use this platform to search for Kansas state records providing transparency and legal information.
- NACDL - Kansas Resources Discover resources for criminal defense lawyers and legal practitioners handling Kansas cases.
- NCJRS - Kansas Court Records Explore justice-related publications and resources offered by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service.
- Family Court Matters - Kansas Find support material for navigating family court matters and legal processes in Kansas.
- Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Public Access Fetch criminal records, offender details, and other crime-related data via the Kansas Bureau of Investigation tools.
- Community Resource Finder - Kansas Legal Seek community resources, legal help, and advocacy service providers within Kansas.
- Nolo's Kansas Legal Encyclopedia Access user-friendly legal guidance, lawyer directories, and comprehensive legal encyclopedia relevant to Kansas law.
Table of Contents
- Barton County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Barton County Court Records
- Barton County Court Statistics
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Barton County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Barton County?
- How Does Barton County Compare With Kansas Overall?
- Barton County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Barton County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Barton County?
- Are Barton County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Barton County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Barton County
- Barton County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links