22a-103. District attorneys in certain judicial districts; vacancies; effect of change in residence or redistricting. (a) When a vacancy occurs in the office of district attorney, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the governor of a person elected by a district convention, in accordance with K.S.A. 25-3902, and amendments thereto. If the vacancy occurs on or after May 1 of the second year of the term, the person so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualifies. If the vacancy occurs before May 1 of the second year of the term, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve until a successor is elected and qualifies at the next state general election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Nomination and election of such successor shall be in the same manner as nomination and election of a district attorney for a regular term.

(b) When a vacancy occurs in the office of district attorney, the district judges of the district in which the vacancy occurs shall appoint a person to serve as temporary district attorney until a person is appointed and qualifies to fill the vacancy in accordance with subsection (a). A person appointed to serve as temporary district attorney shall be an elector of the same political party as that of the district attorney vacating such position.

(c) A district attorney or temporary district attorney appointed pursuant to this section shall have the same powers and duties and shall be subject to the same qualifications as an elected district attorney.

(d) In the event that any district attorney changes residence outside of the judicial district from which elected, such district attorney shall promptly resign from such office as district attorney. If such district attorney fails to resign, such district attorney shall be subject to removal from office as provided by law. Any redistricting of judicial districts which results in a district attorney residing outside of the district attorney's district shall not be grounds for removal and shall not disqualify the district attorney from serving the remainder of the term for which elected or appointed.

History: L. 1972, ch. 71, § 3; L. 1976, ch. 145, § 113; L. 1981, ch. 115, § 2; July 1.