by Jennifer Roth, Deputy Appellate Defender

During the 2019 legislative session, Rep. Russ Jennings proposed creation of the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission (KCJRC). He reasoned that it had been 15 years since the 3Rs Committee (recodification, rehabilitation, and restoration), which was the last time any legislative committee had been tasked with taking a comprehensive look at the criminal justice system. The circumstances surrounding creation of the 3Rs Committee, and the legislative actions that happened in the 15 years in between, provide important context to the creation of the KCJRC.

With the retirements of Cindy Sewell (Third Judicial District Public Defender Office Chief) and Lea Ann Standrich (Sedgwick County Public Defender Office Social Worker) in December, BIDS said farewell to two employees with a combined 65 years plus of service. In recognition of that incredible dedication, we reached out to a few of their respective colleagues, who wrote the following tributes.

by Meryl Carver-Allmond, BIDS Training Director

For a few years now, I’ve been stewing on the idea of BIDS-wide awards to better recognize the exceptional work that Kansas public defenders and staff do, day in and day out. Not just recognition of trial wins, but awards that really take into account what an ideal public defender should be striving towards and what victory looks like as part of a client-centered team.

But talking to Jorge about Sedgwick County’s new award inspired me to do more than just stew. With input from the Well-Being Committee, I am instituting, and seeking nominations for, four new BIDS-wide awards. 

by Heather Cessna, BIDS Executive Director

After several rounds of brainstorming, drafting, and revision, the BIDS Well-Being Committee settled on a new proposed mission statement for our agency. In December, Meryl presented the Well-Being Committee’s work to our Board members and our Board members voted unanimously in favor of adopting the committee’s proposal.

by Mark Hartman

Two weeks ago, I attended the Johnson County Bar Association’s annual meeting. Among other things, the meeting is a chance for members of the bar to recognize those who have made special contributions to the law in various different ways. Arguably the most prestigious award given each year is the Justinian Award for Lifetime Achievement and Professional Excellence, an honor given this year to retiring Chief Magistrate Judge James P. O’Hara of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.

Taking the lectern to say a few words, Judge O’Hara began, stating, “While I’m endlessly appreciative for this honor, I also note that to whatever degree I had a positive influence on the law or on those engaged in the legal field, I can assure you it had much more to do with the situations life afforded me rather than anything I may have achieved on my own accord.”