Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the warrant. 501 W Main St. The warrant, signed by local Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, authorized the search on suspicion of “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning computers. It turns out Viar reportedly has two DUIs of her own. . Attempts to contact both Marion’s police chief – Gideon Cody – and the judge who authorized his agency to conduct the raids aimed at the Record, Laura Viar, for comment on Meyer’s sudden. Leads agency side search and performance media. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. In the first arrest,. Magistrate Judge Laura E. Morris County District Court. The alleged crime was identity theft. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. Viar’s approval of the search has already led to calls from Democratic lawmakers to take away the ability of magistrate judges to sign off on search warrants. m. Local Magistrate Judge Laura Viar issued a search warrant citing possible identity theft and illegal use of a computer, authorizing police to seize files relating to Newell. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she. The warrant, which was signed by 8th Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, authorized a search for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. Act as cross-functional liaison between research. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. Dickinson County District Court Dickinson County Courthouse 109 E 1st St. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. Officers. Term expires June 30, 2026. Phone: 620-767-6838, Option 1. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. She currently is the county attorney for Morris County. 25 in Coffey County and again on Aug. Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. Judge Laura Viar signed a warrant to allow police to raid the newspaper over claims it illegally obtained DUI information about a business owner. A stack of the latest edition of the weekly Marion County Record sits in the back of the newspaper's building in Marion, Kansas, on Wednesday. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. D. It’s unclear if the bureau is investigating the police department, the newspaper or both. Eric Meyer, owner and publisher of the newspaper, said police were motivated by a. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Special Requirements in the 8th. Magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant under the pretense that Cody, the police chief, had reason to believe a newspaper reporter committed identity theft and unlawful use of a computer. According to media reporting, the raid followed the Record having received information from a source, attempting to verify that information through a state website available to the public, and thereafter, alerting your department out ofMARION — Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody enlisted the support of local and state law enforcement officials in the days before he led raids on the local newspaper office, theExecution of the first search warrant at the newspaper's offices unfolded less than two hours after Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. Laura Viar - Morris County . (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Judge Laura Viar, a prominent figure in the 8th Judicial District, has been following the developments closely. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. The alleged crime was identity theft. . The first is the two crimes listed on the warrant. CNN has reached out to Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant, and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that. Jan 3, 2023 Updated Jan 4, 2023. Viar, who went by Laura Allen at the time, was put on diversion for an arrest in Coffey County. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the search warrant that Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody used to seize the newspaper’s equipment, records about the restaurant owner, utility bills, and other materials. View the profiles of people named Laura Viar. Police who searched Meyer’s home also took photos of his personal bank records. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Those 2012 arrests came months apart in two counties — and it's not clear how much information was shared between officials at the time, The. Attempts to contact both Marion’s police chief – Gideon Cody – and the judge who authorized his agency to conduct the raids aimed at the Record, Laura Viar, for comment on Meyer’s sudden. Public interviews The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 9 a. The Wichita Eagle reported that Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed earlier this year and signed off on the controversial search warrant, has her own history of DUI arrests. "While the affidavits purport to be signed before Magistrate Viar on the day of the illegal searches, no explanation has been provided why they were not filed prior to the execution of the illegal searches," Rhodes said in a. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. Nothing in the affidavit or search warrant connects Gruver or her cellphone to the alleged crime. He lived with his 98-year-old mother, who co-owned the. Contact Laura. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. She died the next day, something Eric Meyer attributes in part to the raid, saying she died of “shock and grief. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. Judge Laura Viar, a prominent figure in the 8th Judicial District, has been following the developments closely. Todd Heitschmidt, court. The police obtained a two-page warrant from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, saying the police were acting on probable cause to believe that “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning. Special Requirements in the 8th. Kobach: KBI looking into possible data breach in Kansas newspaper case - Kansas ReflectorThere are pending requests from news organizations for release by Marion County District Court of the probable cause affidavit relied upon by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to grant the search warrant. Video Access to Courtroom Hearings. Magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant under the pretense that Cody, the police chief, had reason to believe a newspaper reporter committed identity theft and unlawful use of a computer. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. September 6, 2023 · 3 min read. , PO Box 127 Abilene, KS 67410 Phone: 785-263-3142 Fax: 785-263-4407 Clerk of the District Court: Cindy MacDonaldKansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. The affidavits, which were obtained by CBS News, claim to have been signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar on Aug. 2. Personal electronics used by the paper’s 98-year-old co-owner Joan Meyer, including a smart speaker she uses to ask for assistance, were among the items. Ryan Young. The Kansas Reflector reported: “The search warrant, signed by Marion county district court magistrate judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that. Courtesy IversonLawOffice. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. 104. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity theft and. Snip The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. m. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. MARION — In an unprecedented raid Aug. Before the raid, Meyer had reported last week that Marion restaurant owner Kari Newell kicked his newspaper employees out. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner. MARION — In an unprecedented raid Friday, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones a Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, of the 8th Judicial District, was charged at least twice for DUI in two Kansas counties in 2012, including in August that year when she allegedly drove off the road. On Aug. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. m. B. Judge Laura Viar Kansas Eighth Judicial District According to the Eagle, Viar was first charged with DUI in Coffey County on Jan. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar "scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag's electronic devices. Laura is a thirty-one-year-old. Succeeds Jade Ramsdell. Liar Liar is a UK VHS release by CIC and Universal on 17th November 1997, 4th May 1998 and 22nd March 1999. Kansas Protection Order Portal (KS POP) County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. In 2022, Viar was named magistrate judge by the 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission. MARION COUNTY, Kan. Join Facebook to connect with Laura Viar and others you may know. Laura Viar, Council Grove, county attorney, Morris County; Ryan Young, White City, detective sergeant, Morris County Sheriff’s Office; To be considered for a district magistrate judge, the Court. Loyce Smith - Geary County. Cody accused the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Ensey of knowing he was seeking warrants. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. First Amendment attorneys say the reporter committed no crime and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should have known the search warrants were. 2003. More interesting is reporting from MSNBC contributor Marisa Kabas published in her Substack blog, who says Eric Meyer told her the computers also include names of former co-workers of Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, hired by the city a few months ago, who told the newspaper Cody. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar’s sweeping warrant cited “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning computers” as grounds for the raid. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar "scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag's electronic devices. Here are the latest developments in the case. Those 2012 arrests came months apart in two counties — and it's not clear how much information was shared between officials at the time, The. The raids on the family-owned newspaper occurred after a warrant was issued and signed by local Kansas Judge Laura Viar. 11 raids on the newspaper office, the publisher’s home, and the home of a city councilwoman after small-town drama erupted over a restaurant owner’s quest for a liquor license. 11, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and reporting materials from the Marion County Record office, the newspaper’s reporters and the publisher’s home. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. Viar. Laura Viar — OfficialUSA. Judge Viar approved the search warrants. Viar or the. The alleged victim is Kari Newell, who owns a restaurant in Marion and was trying to obtain a liquor license. Max Kautsch, a Lawrence attorney with the Kansas Coalition for Open Government, said the organization condemned the searches and. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. Courtesy. Clay Wirestone, Kansas Reflector. (KSNW) – The publisher of the long-standing Marion County Record said his paper was raided this week by the Marion Police Department, who took. Shortly after the August 11th raid, a Topeka woman submitted a complaint against Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to the Commission on Judicial Conduct. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices today and seized our server and computers and personal cellphones of staff members. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner. Live streams for the Morris County District Court can be viewed online at the link below. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar’s sweeping warrant cited “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning computers” as grounds for the raid. Viar’s new position will be effective on her swearing-in. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at the time. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the search warrant that Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody used to seize the newspaper’s equipment, records about the restaurant owner, utility bills, and other materials. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at the time. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. Judge Viar was allegedly arrested at least twice for driving under the influence (DUI) in two different Kansas counties in 2012 while she was lead prosecutor for Morris County, according to local reports. Jan 3, 2023 Updated Jan 4, 2023. The search, led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, has sparked international condemnation as an attack on. Apparently this sort of work isn’t appreciated by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who OK’d the raid on the Marion County Record and Meyer’s home — where, according to the Record, the zealous. Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector The law requires law enforcement. A photo from the Kansas 8th Judicial District website shows Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed a search warrant authorizing police to raid a local. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. A Kansas county prosecutor is withdrawing the search warrant used to raid a local newspaper and the judge who signed the warrant has a history of DUI arrests. District Court Administrator. Joan Meyer had been undergoing severe stress and emotional distress in the hours before her death, the Marion County Record reported. First Amendment attorneys say the reporter committed no crime and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar should have known the search warrants were unconstitutional when she signed them. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has released an update on the criminal investigation and police raid at a newspaper in Marion County. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the warrants. Viar. " The police officer who served the warrant responds, "That's something you'll have. But Judge Viar has a DUI history of her own. TOPEKA -- The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Laura Viar to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. Sometime before 11 a. It said her new position will be effective upon her. Eighth Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar has two DUI arrests on her record. , to interview nominees. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Both incidents happened in 2012 in Morris and Coffey counties. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. View requirements by county. The warrant, signed by Judge Laura Viar, provided for seizure of a virtually limitless range of records and devices, and made no effort to protect confidential source communications. In the first arrest, Viar "was charged and entered a diversion agreement — which was. Viar’s DUI history could face scrutiny because the. Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector The law requires law enforcement to. Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on that search warrant. 501 W Main Street. MARION COUNTY, Kan. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement. The alleged victim is Kari Newell, who owns a restaurant in Marion and was trying to obtain a liquor license. Apparently this sort of work isn’t appreciated by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who OK’d the raid on the Marion County Record and Meyer’s home — where, according to the Record, the zealous. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local. Judge who. There are pending requests from news organizations for release by Marion County District Court of the probable cause affidavit relied upon by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to grant the search warrant. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. According to a Wichita Eagle investigation, Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on January 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was detained at least twice in 2012 for DUI in two distinct. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. Attempts to contact Ensey to determine if he saw the affidavits before they were submitted to the court have been unsuccessful. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the influence. She was allegedly unable to eat or sleep. "Laura Viar probably doesn’t understand this," Meyer said. . They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. Judge who signed warrant is under scrutiny. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices today and seized our server and computers and personal cellphones of staff members. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. Viar or the. County Attorney Laura Viar says Logan Callahan, 18, was found in violation of probation after he was convicted of unlawful sexual relations last October and was. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Laura Viar, Morris County Attorney Jennifer Wyatt, an attorney in private practice The Commission said it will meet on Wednesday, Aug. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. The search warrant in Marion, signed by county magistrate judge Laura Viar on Friday morning, allowed officers to confiscate a wide range of items, from computers and hardware to reporting documents. Visit Site ». They presented a search warrant that alleges identity theft and. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at. Personal electronics used by the paper’s 98-year-old co-owner Joan Meyer, including a smart speaker she uses to ask for assistance, were among the items. From the story in the Kansas Reflector, another source rarely mentioned in the paper of record. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local restaurant owner as the reason for the raid. Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner, had recently claimed at a city council meeting that the Marion County Record used “illegal methods” to learn of her past DUI conviction. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. The search warrant in Marion, signed by county magistrate judge Laura Viar on Friday morning, allowed officers to confiscate a wide range of items, from computers. A few details stand out in this two-page document, which was signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar around 9 a. Magistrate Judge Laura E. According to a search warrant signed by Marion County Magistrate Laura Viar, the raid is related to an ongoing dispute between the paper and local restaurateur Kari Newell. Phone: 620-767-6838, Option 1. m. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. "Normally, with a search warrant. Geary County Courthouse 138 E 8th St. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices today and seized our server and computers and personal cellphones of staff members. She currently is the county attorney for Morris County. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. Those 2012 arrests came months apart in two counties — and it's not clear how much information was shared between officials at the time, The. Personally, I think Police Chief Gideon Cody, Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, and drunk driver Kari Newell are about to go through some things. m. No one has heard. 6 in Morris County. "Laura Viar probably doesn’t understand this," Meyer said. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. Kansas Gov. A 98-year-old co-owner of a small Kansas newspaper died Saturday, one day after a police raid on her home and the Marion County Record’s office building. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local. " But Viar approved search warrants for the. on Friday. It appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists, requiring law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. At the time, Viar's last name was Allen. The affidavits authorizing the searches and seizures at the paper and the publisher’s house were signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, and while her signature was dated Aug. on Friday. Judge who signed warrant is under scrutiny. Education. Police then raided the Kansas newspaper after obtaining a search warrant from Viar citing a criminal investigation into "identity theft. According to a search warrant signed by Marion County Magistrate Laura Viar, the raid is related to an ongoing dispute between the paper and local restaurateur Kari Newell. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. “Basically,” Eric Meyer said, “all the law enforcement. Critics and legal experts say the search warrant signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar and used to seize the newspaper’s equipment violates federal law that provides protections against. A search warrant signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar stated she determined there was probable cause that the Record and its reporters were violating the Kansas law prohibiting identity theft. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Eighth Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar has two DUI arrests on her record. Magistrate Laura Viar authorized the raid. The timetable for that decision hasn’t been announced. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. Police then raided the Kansas newspaper after obtaining a search warrant from Viar citing a criminal investigation into "identity theft. The Reflector explained Friday that the search warrant appears to violate a federal law intended to protect journalists and the Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed it, did not respond to a request for comment. It alleged identity theft of the woman and unlawful use of a computer. Eric Meyer, who is Joan Meyer’s son, told the Kansas Reflector on Friday that “basically, all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended. Eric Meyer, who is Joan Meyer's son, told the Kansas Reflector on Friday that "basically, all the law enforcement officers on duty in Marion County, Kansas, descended on our offices. Friday, officers showed up simultaneously at Meyer’s home and the newspaper office. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the warrant authorizing Friday’s raid, did so because of allegations that the newspaper had improperly obtained information about a local restaurant owner. WICHITA, Kan. About. (KSNW) – The publisher of the long-standing Marion County Record said his paper was raided this week by the Marion Police Department, who took. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Image credit Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. The raids on the family-owned newspaper occurred after a warrant was issued and signed by local Kansas Judge Laura Viar. . The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Police Chief Gideon Cody received approval from Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to conduct the Aug. They presented a search warrant that alleges identity theft and. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner, had recently claimed at a city council meeting that the Marion County Record used “illegal methods” to learn of her past DUI conviction. Judge Laura Viar Wikipedia, Political Party Judge with a history of DUI charges authorized the raid on the Kansas newspaper. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Chief Court Services Officer. Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant authorizing the police raid of the newspaper office. Viar. TheKansas 8th District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from. Eric Meyer's 98-year-old mother, Joann Meyer, was at the house she shared with her son when the police raided it. Seven months later, she was arrested again for a DUI in Morris County while she was the. "My computer —you're removing my ability to work. According to Meyer, his newspaper has been investigating potentially questionable. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local. She was the lead prosecutor for Morris County at the time. WICHITA, Kan. Both incidents happened in 2012 in Morris and Coffey counties. news organizations on Sunday condemned last week's raid by Kansas police on a local newspaper and publisher's home in what critics called an unconstitutional search they say contributed to the death of the paper's co-owner. The alleged crimes. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. In another development, news emerged that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant allowing police to seize the equipment, was arrested at least twice for driving under the. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Officials conducted the raid after Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant Friday morning, which alleges violations of identity. At the time, Viar's last name was Allen and she was working as the top prosecutor in Morris County. Morris County. Succeeds Gita Noble. Kansas resident Keri Strahler filed the complaint against Judge Laura Viar about a week after police raided the office of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher and a county. S. A Kansas commission tasked with investigating judicial misconduct wants the judge who signed off on an extraordinary search of a newspaper to explain herself. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. Magistrate Judge. Judge Laura Viar, who signed off on a search warrant authorizing the searches, is facing a complaint about her decision and has been asked by a judicial body. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar “scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag’s electronic devices. ”The alleged crimes. Cody told the KBI that Magistrate Judge Laura Viar "scrutinized the evidence and decided it was not enough for me to get Pam Maag's electronic devices. TOPEKA, Kansas — The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct requested Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar to explain her decision to authorize search warrants used in controversial raids of the Marion newspaper office, the publisher’s home and a city council member’s residence. 11, the court did not receive the affidavits until Monday, Aug. Viar didn't respond to a request to comment for this story or explain. Local newspapers report that the judge who signed the search warrant had two drunken driving arrests within a year. A search warrant signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar stated she determined there was probable cause that the Record and its reporters were violating the Kansas law prohibiting identity theft. TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed four new members and reappointed two current members to the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning . Eighth Judicial District Magistrate Judge Laura Viar has two DUI arrests on her record. However, federal law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials from journalists rather than seize it through a search warrant. " The police officer who served the warrant responds, "That's something you'll have. Council Grove, KS, 66846-1701. The Kansas Professional Chapter of SPJ Board of Directors is particularly disappointed with the actions of Viar, which we assert violate established federal law protecting journalists. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector) Sometime before 11 a. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. August 23, 2023. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle investigation found. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. Michelle Terry, Tecumseh. The search warrant in Marion, signed by county magistrate judge Laura Viar on Friday morning, allowed officers to confiscate a wide range of items, from computers and hardware to reporting documents. The first is the two crimes listed on the warrant. It appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists, requiring law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. The police department in Marion, Kansas — a town of about 2,000 — raided the Marion County Record under a search warrant signed by a county judge. Magistrate Laura Viar authorized the raid. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. com. According to a search warrant signed by Marion County Magistrate Laura Viar, the raid is related to an ongoing dispute between the paper and local restaurateur Kari Newell. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at least twice for DUI in two different Kansas counties in 2012, a Wichita Eagle. Laura uses alternative name, for example, Laura Reynoso, Laura A. A photo from the Kansas 8th Judicial District website shows Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed a search warrant authorizing police to raid a local newspaper in Marion, Kansas. The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, said law enforcement was allowed to search for and seize items including “documents and records pertaining. A warrant for the raid – performed by the entire police department and sheriff’s deputies – was signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. - Ryan Young, White City, detective. Phone: 620-767-6838. She will take her new position after being sworn in and follows current judge Margaret White, who is retiring on New Year’s Day. 1 to fill a vacant 8th Judicial District magistrate seat, was arrested at. " But Viar approved search warrants for the. Updated: Aug 15, 2023 / 08:30 AM CDT. CNN has reached out to Marion County Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who signed the search warrant, and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. Police then raided the Kansas newspaper after obtaining a search warrant from Viar citing a criminal investigation into "identity theft. . Results-driven marketing professional with nearly 15 years of experience in paid search and integrated marketing. Judge Laura Viar, who signed off on a search warrant authorizing the searches, is facing a complaint about her decision and has been asked by a judicial body to respond, records shared with CNN by. He also repeated statements made by Mayfield: someone from the Marion county attorney’s office delivered the warrant to Magistrate Judge Laura Viar for approval and Viar denied an additional. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. 2003. Kansas State Board of Nursing. Judge who signed warrant is under scrutiny. Term expires June 30, 2023. Judge Viar did not respond to a request for comment from a local media. 6 in Morris County. As a respected advocate for upholding the Constitution, Judge Viar believes that the raid raises serious concerns about the government's role in suppressing journalism. Gruver says Cody. County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar authorized a search of the Marion County Record in August. Courtroom Live Streams. 06. They obtained a search warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, for evidence of identity theft and criminal use of a computer. The Kansas magistrate judge who authorized a police raid of the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record has her own hidden history of driving under the influence. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who authorized the police raid on the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record, has her own history of driving under the influence (DUI). According to media reporting, the raid followed the Record having received information from a source, attempting to verify that information through a state website available to the public, and thereafter, alerting your department out ofMARION — Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody enlisted the support of local and state law enforcement officials in the days before he led raids on the local newspaper office, theExecution of the first search warrant at the newspaper's offices unfolded less than two hours after Marion County Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed off on the search warrant. Judge Laura Viar, who was appointed on Jan. She fills a vacancy created when Judge Margaret White retires January 1. Laura Ethel Viar is a lawyer serving Council Grove in Criminal Defense and Criminal Defense cases. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar signed the search warrant that Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody used to seize the newspaper’s equipment, records about the restaurant owner, utility bills and other materials. A search warrant signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar claimed probable cause over alleged violations related to identity theft and unlawful acts concerning computers. Education. Officers hauled away computers, hard drives and reporters’. Laura Viar selected for magistrate judge vacancy in Morris County. The search warrant, requested by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody and signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, sought newsroom computers that may have been used to access Kansas Department of Revenue. View attorney's profile for reviews, office locations, and contact information. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, who authorized the police raid on the Marion County Record newsroom over its probe into a local restaurateur’s drunken-driving record, has her own history of driving under the influence (DUI). . com Records. Police then raided the Kansas newspaper after obtaining a search warrant from Viar citing a criminal investigation into "identity theft.