City of Rose Hill
125 W. Rosewood P.O. Box 185 Rose Hill, KS 67133
Phone: (316) 776-2712
Fax: (316) 776-2769
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Municipal Court

Rose Hill Municipal Court

The Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the City. Traffic Violations, Misdemeanor Public Offense Violations and violations of Rose Hill City Ordinances are handled in this Court. In the Municipal Court there are no jury trials. A judge under the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Municipal Courts, the Kansas Rules of Evidence and the Rose Hill Municipal Code conducts all trials. Municipal Court should not be confused with Butler County District Courts. District Court has jurisdiction over cases such as serious criminal offenses, divorce and domestic relations, damage suits, probate and administration of estates, guardianship’s, conservatorships, care of the mentally ill, juvenile matters and small claims.

Municipal Court

Fred Johnson

Honorable Judge

Justin Phelps

Prosecutor

Kristie Metcalf

Police / Court Clerk

Nolan Wright

Prosecutor

Melanie Harbaugh

Prosecutor

Court Resources

2024 Court Dates

Rose Hill Court Fines – See court fines for traffic violations, failure to report accidents/injuries, speeding, parking violations, and more.

Traffic Amendment Dismissal & Fine Reduction Information – See charges the Clerk can dismiss, traffic amendments requiring a court appearance, and find contact information for driver’s license reinstatement.

Minor Traffic Amendment Application – Apply for an amendment on a minor traffic citation.

Court Process

This information should not be construed as providing legal advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with an attorney. Rose Hill court clerks, prosecutors or the judge cannot give you legal advice. At Rose Hill Municipal Court, all people and their property will pass through a metal detector before entering the courtroom. No weapons of any kind are allowed in the courtroom. All knives, razors, chemical sprays, and weapons will be seized.

  • Paying Fines & Fees

    If your violation has a specified fine amount, you can choose to pay fines and fees prior to your court date. If any violation charged on your traffic ticket specifies “Court,” or “MAC,”, you must appear in court for arraignment on your Notice to Appear date.

    Pay your ticket in person or by mail

    Pay Court Fees Online

    You may send a personal check or money order made payable to the City of Rose Hill for the total due for fines plus court costs to:

    Rose Hill Municipal Court
    PO Box 185
    Rose Hill, KS 67133

    You may also leave payment in the 24-hour drop box located in the brick area on the city side of the Rose Hill City Hall.

  • Arriving To Court

    Rose Hill Municipal Court is located at 125 W Rosewood, Rose Hill City Hall.

    When coming to court, be sure to bring all of the information that pertains to your court case with you. This may include proof of insurance, a valid driver’s license, proof of restitution, proof of completing a class, a drug / alcohol evaluation, or other information.

    Please view the TV screen in the rotunda upon entry into the courthouse for first appearance arraignment.

  • Arraignment

    At arraignment, you will appear in court and enter a plea for your charged violations. You can enter a plea of:

    • Guilty – You admit to having committed the act charged. The judge will order a fine, jail time or other sentence.
    • No Contest – You do not contest the city’s charge. The judge will enter a verdict of guilty and order a fine, jail time or other sentence. A plea of no contest is not an admission of fault and cannot be used against you in a civil proceeding.
    • Not Guilty – You deny guilt, which means the city must prove our charge. Your case will be set for trial or a pre-trial conference with the city prosecutor to see what options are available to you.

  • Right To An Attorney

    You have the right to be represented by an attorney in all cases at Rose Hill Municipal Court. If you are charged with an offense that may result in jail time, you must decide whether to proceed with or without an attorney. If you would like an attorney but cannot afford one, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you.

    We cannot advise or represent private citizens or entities. If you are seeking personal legal advice, please contact a private attorney. You can use the following resources to find an attorney:

  • Entry of Appearance

    If you would like your attorney to appear in court on your behalf, they must file an entry of appearance. We require entries of appearance to be submitted in writing to kmetcalf@cityofrosehill.com, or faxed to 316-776-0262. The entry must contain the attorney’s Kansas Bar Number.

  • Diversion

    If you are accused of a crime, our diversion program allows you to possibly avoid a conviction. In diversion, you enter into a contract to comply with certain conditions. Infraction citations are exempt.

    HOW TO APPLY

    If you have been charged with a violation (including one involving alcohol or drugs) please ask to speak to the prosecutor at the time of your court hearing.

    If it is an alcohol or drug violation, you will also need to get an evaluation through a certified ADSAP agency and have the evaluation available to the prosecutor before you appear on your court date.

    Click here for a list of providers for the Wichita area.

  • Trial

    Under Kansas law, you can be brought to trial only after a complaint or traffic citation has been filed with the court. In a trial, the burden of proof is on the city to prove that you are guilty of the charges outlined in the complaint or citation. You have the right to be represented by an attorney or you may act as your own attorney.

    This information should not be construed as providing legal advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with an attorney. Rose Hill court clerks, prosecutors or the judge cannot give you legal advice.

    Under Kansas law, you can be brought to trial only after a complaint or traffic citation has been filed with the court. In a trial, the burden of proof is on the city to prove you are guilty of the charges outlined in the complaint or citation.

    You have the right to be represented by an attorney or you may appear act as your own attorney.

    Jury trials are not held at the Municipal Court level. A judge will hear all testimony, reach a verdict and impose a sentence.

    YOUR RIGHT TO APPEAL

    If you have been found guilty of violating a city ordinance, you may appeal the decision to the District Court of Butler County, Kansas in El Dorado for a new trial on the original complaint. Your case will be tried to a judge (or, in some cases, you may request a jury trial of six people). If you are convicted on appeal, the District Court judge may assess penalties less than, equal to, or greater than those imposed by Rose Hill Municipal Court.

    In order to appeal, you must properly file a Notice of Appeal, serve a copy on the City Attorney and post the required appearance bond with the Rose Hill Municipal court clerks within 14 days from the date of the judgment (see K.S.A. 22-3609 and K.S.A. 22-3610).

    Your appearance bond receipt gives you the date, time and place of your first appearance in the Butler County District Court. If you fail to appear at that time or at any time during the course of your appeal, your bond will be forfeited, your appeal will be dismissed, and the case will be returned to the Rose Hill Municipal Court for execution on the fine and/or sentence initially

  • Subpoena

    You have the right to subpoena witnesses to ensure their appearance at a trial by asking the court clerk 14 days prior to your trial date to send subpoenas. Please have names, and current addresses available.

    Court Clerk

    Kristie Metcalf

    Email: kmetcalf@cityofrosehill.com

Court Forms and Documents

  • Community Service

    Use this form only if you are a defendant who has appeared in court and made arrangements with the judge to perform community service in lieu of court fines only. You must submit this log to the court clerk for verification once complete.  Submit to kmetcalf@cityofrosehill.com or fax 316-776-0260. Community Service list is not exhaustive as community service may be performed at any non-profit at which you are not being paid in the City of Rose Hill.

  • Pro Se Discovery request

    Use the pro se discovery form only if you are a defendant who has been charged with an offense in Rose Hill Municipal Court and wish to obtain police reports or other materials related to your pending case.

  • Open Records Request Form

    If you would like to request a closed court-related public record, please complete this form and file it with the court clerk’s office by mail, email, fax or in-person:

    Rose Hill Municipal Court
    125 W Rosewood, PO Box 185
    Rose Hill, KS 67133

    kmetcalf@cityofrosehill.com
    Fax: 316-776-0260

  • Petition For Expungement

    You have the right to have your conviction or arrest removed from your criminal record after a certain number of years, as dictated by K.S.A. 12-4516. Please file a completed petition for expungement, along with the non-refundable $75 filing fee, with the Rose Hill Municipal Court. Please clerk the link for Rose Hill’s Petition form.

  • Public Defender Application

    You have the right to have an attorney represent you.  If you are unable to afford to hire an attorney, you MAY qualify for court-appointed counsel if (1) you are charged with an offense for which the court would impose a jail sentence if convicted; AND (2) you are found to be indigent.  If you are charged with an offense for which the court would impose a jail sentence if convicted, you may review the United States poverty guidelines at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines to determine if you would be found indigent.  If you believe you are indigent and would qualify for court-appointed counsel, please talk to judge at your next court date.

  • Diversion

    If you are accused of a crime, our diversion program allows you to possibly avoid a conviction. In diversion, you enter into a contract to comply with certain conditions.

    If you successfully complete all of the conditions of your diversion program, your charges will be dismissed.

    If you have been charged with a violation (including one involving alcohol or drugs) please complete the diversion information packet and application and bring the completed application with you to court.

    If it is an alcohol or drug violation, you will also need to get an evaluation through a certified ADSAP agency and have the evaluation available to the prosecutor before you appear on your court date. Click here for a list of providers for the Wichita area.

  • Treatment Provider List

    Agency information for providers in Wichita, KS