District Court Judge Retention, Third Judicial District, Division 7 (Shawnee County)
Shawnee County, Kansas
My vote power
Retention race
Election date
November 3, 2026 · General election
About this office
- Deciding trials in the county
- Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
- Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights,
Penny R. Moylan
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared · Official site
District judge in Shawnee County since 2019, presiding over child in need of care cases. Washburn law graduate with 17 years in private practice, service as a Kansas Supreme Court senior research attorney and as a deputy disciplinary administrator.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 1 record
On October 21, 2019, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Penny R. Moylan's appointment to the Shawnee County District Court bench, Division 7, according to contemporaneous local reporting.
October 21, 2019
Source: wibw.com · researched August 16, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 3 favorable · 1 unfavorable
On June 6, 2025, the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed and remanded Judge Penny Moylan's termination-of-parental-rights decision in In re D.H. because the notice to the Choctaw Nation lacked information required to determine the children's eligibility for tribal membership.
June 6, 2025Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched August 20, 2026
On May 24, 2024, the Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Penny Moylan's order terminating a father's parental rights in In the Interest of L.S.
May 24, 2024Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: searchdro.kscourts.gov · researched August 20, 2026
On August 18, 2023, the Kansas Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Penny Moylan's order terminating a mother's parental rights to four children in In the Interests of B.J., B.J., Z.B., and Z.B.
August 18, 2023Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: caselaw.findlaw.com · researched August 20, 2026
On March 16, 2021, Judge Penny Moylan found no probable cause to support the arrest and detention of Kansas Senate leader Gene Suellentrop based on missing information in the arrest report and ordered his release.
March 16, 2021Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: kansasreflector.com · researched August 20, 2026
Sources: sos.ks.gov · cdn.snco.gov2