Judge Evaluations
Merlin Wheeler
District Court

District: 5
Counties: Lyon and Chase

The Kansas Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Merlin G. Wheeler BE RETAINED.

Judge Wheeler was appointed as District Judge in the 5th Judicial District in 1990. In addition to his administrative duties as Chief Judge, Judge Wheeler hears a mixed docket including civil, domestic relations, criminal and juvenile offender/child in need of care cases. He has also been assigned to sit with the Kansas Court of Appeals on occasion. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Wheeler spent 10 years in the private practice of law and also served as City Attorney of Emporia from 1977 to 1980 and City Attorney of Madison from 1978 to 1981. Judge Wheeler is a graduate of Dodge City Community College, Emporia State University, and Washburn University School of Law. He has also attended various courses at the National Judicial College.

Judge Wheeler is a member and past president of the Lyon/Chase Counties Bar Association, and a member of the Kansas Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Kansas District Judges Association and the American Judges Association. He has participated in the development or operation of numerous Lyon and Chase County court programs such as CASA and has served on a number of community boards including serving as Trustee Emeritus of the National Teachers Hall of Fame Foundation. He is also a frequent presenter at continuing education programs for lawyers and law enforcement officers.

The Commission received survey responses from 25 attorneys and 135 non-attorneys. Survey results showed that 95% of attorneys and 79% of non-attorneys recommended that Judge Wheeler be retained in office, with 91% of attorneys strongly recommending retention. Judge Wheeler received an overall average score from attorneys of 3.74 on a 4.0 scale, an overall average score from non-attorneys of 3.21, and an overall average score from appellate judges of 3.1. Judge Wheeler's scores exceed the required minimum average grade of 2.0 from each category of respondents. The Commission recommends that he BE RETAINED.