Morris County, KS Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Morris County District Court is the trial court for Morris County, Kansas, within the 8th Judicial District. It hears felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Morris County District Court, 8th Judicial District of Kansas |
| Main Address | 501 W Main St., Suite 201, Council Grove, KS 66846 |
| Main Phone | 620-767-6838 |
| Website | 8thkscourts.gov |
| Clerk of the District Court | Jan Helmer |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Council Grove) |
| Handles | Felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil and limited civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas), city ordinance cases (municipal courts), and parking tickets (citing city or agency) |
How to Search Morris County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Morris County cases are kept by the Clerk of the District Court in Council Grove.
Online
Go to kscourts.gov for Judicial Branch information on court records.
Check which case types the Judicial Branch portal covers before you search.
Expect results that may not include every document in a case file.
Best for: Checking what is available online
In Person
Go to 501 W Main St., Suite 201, Council Grove, KS 66846.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk whether public access terminals are available.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call 620-767-6838 to reach the Clerk of the District Court.
Ask what information the clerk needs for a records request.
Confirm the case type and courthouse before you visit.
Best for: Confirming what to bring
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
Morris County Court Statistics
This section reports Morris County's population and court structure. It does not state filing or disposition counts.
5,348
County population, 2025
+0.8%
Population change from 2024 to 2025 (-10 people)
0.18%
Share of Kansas population, 2025
8th
Judicial district (District Court)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| County population, 2025 | 5,348 |
| County population, 2024 | 5,307 |
| Population change, 2024 to 2025 | +41 (+0.8%) |
| Kansas population, 2025 | 2,977,220 |
| County share of Kansas population, 2025 | 0.18% |
| Judicial district | 8th |
How Have Court Filings Changed in Morris County?
Estimated total filings in Morris 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 | ~702 | ~684 | ~+4.0% |
| FY 2023 | ~675 | ~661 | ~+5.5% |
| FY 2022 | ~640 | ~626 | ~+4.4% |
| FY 2021 | ~613 | ~586 | ~+1.5% |
| FY 2020 | ~604 | ~569 | ~+1.5% |
Estimated filings changed +16.2% between FY 2020 and FY 2024, from 604 to 702. The largest annual change was +5.5% in FY 2023. The latest change of +4.0% reflects statewide Kansas trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kansas statewide figures scaled by Morris County's 0.18% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Morris County?
The District Court of the 8th Judicial District hears most case types in Morris County, including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters.
| Case Type | Handled By |
|---|---|
| Felonies | District Court |
| Misdemeanors | District Court |
| Traffic | District Court (some city ordinance traffic cases go to municipal court) |
| Parking tickets | Citing city or agency |
| City ordinance violations | Municipal court |
| Civil, including limited civil | District Court |
| Domestic relations | District Court |
| Probate | District Court |
| Juvenile | District Court |
| Federal cases | U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas |
| Appeals | Kansas Court of Appeals or Kansas Supreme Court |
How Does Morris County Compare With Kansas Overall?
Morris County is estimated to account for about 0.18% of the 395,000 cases filed in Kansas courts in FY 2024.
| Metric | Morris County | Kansas | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~702 | 395,000 | ~0.18% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+4.0% | +3.9% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~702 | 1,463 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~684 | 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 Morris County's 0.18% share of the state population.
Morris County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Kansas statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Morris 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 Morris County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Morris County Courthouse Locations
Morris County has 1 courthouse location, in Council Grove. Check your notice or ticket for the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morris County Courthouse (Council Grove) | 501 W Main St., Suite 201, Council Grove, KS 66846 | 620-767-6838 | See location page |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Morris County?
Most Morris County cases are heard by the District Court of the 8th Judicial District. Parking, city ordinance, and federal matters are handled elsewhere.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic cases are heard by the district court; call 620-767-6838 to confirm the court for your citation. |
| Parking ticket | Citing city or agency | Parking matters are handled outside the district court, so follow the instructions on the ticket. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | Misdemeanors are heard by the district court; the clerk can be reached at 620-767-6838. |
| Felony | District Court | Felonies are heard by the district court; the clerk can be reached at 620-767-6838. |
| DUI | District Court | DUI charges are criminal cases heard by the district court, so check your charging paperwork. |
| Domestic violence | District Court | Criminal charges and domestic relations matters are heard by the district court; call 620-767-6838. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court | Civil cases, including limited civil cases, are heard by the district court. |
| Divorce | District Court | Divorce is a domestic relations matter heard by the district court. |
| Child custody or support | District Court | Domestic relations matters, including custody and support, are heard by the district court. |
| Probate or estate | District Court | Probate matters are heard by the district court. |
| Juvenile case | District Court | Juvenile cases are heard by the district court, and juvenile records are not publicly available. |
| City ordinance violation | Municipal court | City ordinance cases are heard by the municipal court in the city that issued the citation. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas | Federal cases are not heard by the state district court. |
| Appeal | Kansas Court of Appeals or Kansas Supreme Court | Appeals from the district court go to the appellate courts. |
Are Morris County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Morris County district court records are public, with exceptions set by Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196 and the court's own rules.
Public records
Court records held by the Clerk of the District Court are generally open under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196 and the court's own rules. Records of public agencies are also covered by the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.).
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Do not expect an online search to return these records.
Online access
The Kansas Judicial Branch runs the district court public access portal. Information about it is at kscourts.gov. Online access does not cover every record type or document.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of the District Court at 501 W Main St., Suite 201, Council Grove, KS 66846 to view or request records. Call 620-767-6838 to confirm which office holds the records you need.
How to Search Morris County Court Records Online
Use the Kansas Judicial Branch's public access information to look up Morris 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, domestic relations, probate, or juvenile.
- Open kscourts.gov for Judicial Branch public access information.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details listed for status and parties.
- Call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-767-6838 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | kscourts.gov | Case information available through the portal | Documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | kscourts.gov | Case information available through the portal | Parking tickets go to the citing city or agency |
| Civil | kscourts.gov | Case information available through the portal | Restricted filings are not shown |
| Domestic relations | kscourts.gov | Case information available through the portal | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Clerk of the District Court, 620-767-6838 | Ask the clerk what is available | Confirm what the clerk can provide |
| Juvenile | Clerk of the District Court, 620-767-6838 | Not in the public portal | Juvenile records are not publicly available |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Morris County
Contact the Clerk of the District Court in Council Grove to confirm how to pay fines and citations for Morris County cases.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of the District Court at 501 W Main St., Suite 201, Council Grove, KS 66846 to ask about paying in person.
- By phone: Call 620-767-6838 to ask which payment methods the clerk accepts.
The payment methods the court accepts are not listed on this page, so confirm each option with the clerk before you pay. Traffic citations, criminal fines, and parking tickets follow different routes, so confirm which one you have.
Parking tickets are handled by the citing city or agency, not the district court.
Morris County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Morris County court records?
Start with the Kansas Judicial Branch public access information at kscourts.gov, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-767-6838.
Are Morris County court records public?
Most are, under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 196 and the court's own rules, but juvenile, sealed, and expunged records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search the Judicial Branch public access information at kscourts.gov, or call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-767-6838 with the defendant's name.
How do I find a court date?
Check your citation or notice first, then call the Clerk of the District Court at 620-767-6838 to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Confirm the payment methods with the Clerk of the District Court at 620-767-6838 or visit the office at 501 W Main St., Suite 201, Council Grove, KS 66846.
How many cases are filed in Morris County each year?
This page does not state county filing counts. The county population was 5,348 in 2025, up 41 people (0.8%) from 5,307 in 2024.
What is the most common case type in Morris County?
This page does not state filing counts by case type. The District Court hears felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, civil, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases.
Is crime in Morris County 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
Morris County District Court (8th J.D.)More Info
| Address: | 501 W Main St., Suite 201, Council Grove, KS, 66846 |
| Phone Number: | 620-767-6838 |
| Fax: | 620-767-6488 |
| Website: | https://www.8thjd.com/168/District-Court |
Council Grove Municipal Court More Info
| Address: | 205 Union St., Council Grove, KS, 66846 |
| Phone Number: | (620) 767-6966 |
| Website: | https://www.cityofcouncilgrove.com/municipal-court |
Useful Links
- Kansas Judicial Branch - Official Website - Access comprehensive information about the Kansas judicial system, including court locations, case searches, and legal resources.
- Kansas County Courts - Kansas.gov - Find links to county court websites in Kansas, providing access to local court information and public records.
- Morris County District Court - Morris County, KS - Direct access to the district court in Morris County, Kansas, including contact details and court services information.
- Kansas Judicial Branch Public Access Portal - Use the portal to find case information for Kansas, including options to search by case number or party name.
- Kansas Attorney General's Office - Public Services - Information on legal resources and public services offered by the Kansas Attorney General's Office.
- Kansas Legal Services - Providing Legal Aid - A non-profit organization offering legal assistance, court forms, and other resources for residents of Kansas.
- Kansas Secretary of State - Voter Crime Reporting - Information and resources for reporting voter crimes in Kansas, along with related legal protections.
- Kansas Bar Association - Public Resources - Provides legal information, directories, and other resources for Kansas residents seeking legal aid or advice.
- Kansas Court Directory - Kansas Courts - A comprehensive directory of courts in Kansas including contact information for each judicial district.
- eFiling with Kansas Courts - Kansas Judicial Branch - Online electronic filing for cases in Kansas courts, streamlining the legal process for attorneys and individuals.
- Kansas District and County Courts Access - Portal provides access to case information and court schedules for Kansas district and county courts.
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association - Offers resources and networking for legal professionals, along with public resources on legal services and information.
- Kansas Legal Resources - Kansas City Law Library - Access legal resources, guides, and forms offered by the Kansas City Library for legal practitioners and the public.
- Kansas Historical Society - Court Records - Browse and access historical court records archived by the Kansas Historical Society, serving researchers and historians.
- ACLU - Criminal Law Reform - Information on criminal law reform, protecting rights within the criminal justice system, with a focus on Kansas.
- Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission - Notices - Access notices publicized by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, focusing on legal compliance and ethics regulation.
- Kansas Human Rights Commission - Publications - Guides, brochures, and reports on human rights issues managed by the Kansas Human Rights Commission for public education.
- Kansas Municipal Judges' Association - Legal Resources - Provides municipal judges and the public with legal resources and information across Kansas.
- Kansas Corporation Commission - Laws and Regulations - Detailed information on laws and regulations affecting corporate matters within Kansas, provided by the KCC.
- Kansas Public Offender Registry - Search the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's public database for offender information and obtain related details.
Table of Contents
- Morris County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Morris County Court Records
- Morris County Court Statistics
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Morris County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Morris County?
- How Does Morris County Compare With Kansas Overall?
- Morris County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Morris County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Morris County?
- Are Morris County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Morris County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Morris County
- Morris County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links