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Judge agrees to serve without pay

By ERIN MATHEWS

Salina Journal

They say crime doesn't pay. This year, 13 Kansas judges -- including one in Salina -- found out that justice no longer pays either.

On Christmas Eve, chief justices across the state received notice that, because of the state's budget woes, some retired judges who have continued to hear cases could no longer be paid for their services.

Ron Keefover, education and information officer for the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration, said payment for retired judges who have continued to work on a per diem basis was eliminated from the state budget and money allocated for temporary court workers was cut 30 percent because revenue has fallen short of what was anticipated.

Previously, per diem judges had received the same pay as legislators -- about $198 for each day worked, Keefover said.

Judge John Weckel, who presides at hearings involving appeals from Salina Municipal Court to Saline County District Court, served the past year on a per diem basis. Not wanting to leave the court in a bind, Weckel told Chief Judge Daniel Hebert he would continue to serve, regardless of the pay.

"I've done it because I enjoy the work, and the people I'm in contact with," Weckel said. "I've agreed to continue my work for the time being."

Keefover said the state expects to save about $77,000 by eliminating per diem pay for judges during the second half of the current fiscal year. Whether the cuts become permanent remains to be seen, he said.

"My crystal ball's not clear on that one," he said. "Until the state gets past the budget crisis, I would think they would be in place."

Elimination of the per diem pay might be a sign of things to come during the next fiscal year.

"It's pretty clear that we're going to have some fairly significant reductions," Keefover said.

Keefover said judges received very short notice of the changes, especially considering how far in advance court dates are typically scheduled. Judges who were involved in ongoing cases have been instructed to contact the Office of Judicial Administration to see what arrangements can be made, he said. The effect of the change will likely be greatest in larger urban areas such as Wichita and Topeka, where per diem judges are used more regularly, he said.

Weckel has served in Saline County District Court for 20 years as a district judge and 12 years as a senior judge. A year ago, he became a per diem judge, working about 60 days in Salina and 20 days in Newton and McPherson during the year. While other judges have also been used on a per diem basis, Weckel's services have been used the most, Hebert said.

Weckel said most of his cases are appeals of convictions for driving under the influence; some involve domestic violence issues. Like all of the judges in district court, Weckel follows a schedule planned well in advance. He said he has court dates booked through May, including a jury trial Monday.

Court Administrator Todd Heitschmidt said he's glad Weckel has agreed to continue his work with the court.

"He's a good man. He's as sharp as a tack, and I think he enjoys keeping busy," he said.

Keefover said he wouldn't be surprised if many of Weckel's peers in courts across the state make the same decision.

"These people spent a good portion of their professional career trying to do good," he said. "They're probably volunteer-oriented individuals. That's really kind of the spirit of the program."

n Reporter Erin Mathews can be reached at 822-1415 or by e-mail at emathews@salina.com.

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