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1. I just found a brightly colored civil process slip in my door from your department for someone that used to live at my residence or someone I don’t know. What do I do now?

It's difficult to keep up-to-date addresses for everyone we serve civil papers on. Although one might think that simply throwing the slip away might be more convenient our office will continue leavening notes on your door until we can verify that the subject listed on the slip no longer lives there. Please consider calling our office to verify that the subject no longer lives at your address.

2. How do I report a crime?

For some people this may seem like a foolish question but, the fact is that during a heightened state of panic, anger, shock, and/or despair, simply calling 9-1-1 to ask for help can create an even higher state of anxiety. Knowing what the dispatchers will require from you can reduce stress, and can possibly expedite help to your situation. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when calling 9-1-1;

Speak clearly and remain calm - Dispatchers must be able to understand what you are saying.

Be ready to give information such as your name, callback number, incident location, and type of incident.

Unless the dispatcher tells you to hang-up, stay on the telephone line.

3. I just found a brightly colored slip in my door from our office. It reads that the Sheriff’s Department has a civil process paper for me. What do I do now?

As the note indicates we have a civil process paperwork that we need to deliver to you. Our department is a 24-hour service, 365 days a year, including holidays. Please call our office at your earliest convenience at anytime to make arrangements for service.

4. I am aware that your office has civil process for me but I’ve heard that if I avoid service I will elude having to go to court and the matter might simply “go away”

Avoiding civil process service is only a quick way to get your self into more trouble. Although it depends on what type civil process it is, if our office can’t locate you before the posted court date we simply return the paper to the court. A Judge may then issue a warrant for your arrest. Other circumstances might warrant a deputy stopping by your place of work or school if we can’t make any contact at your residence. Don’t believe what your see in the movies and television, avoiding civil process service doesn’t make the problem “go away” it only make the problem worse.

5. When should I call 9-1-1 opposed to calling on the Sheriff's administrative line (785) 625-1040?

When a crime is in progress (a prowler in your yard, a person seen breaking into a home or car, or a fight with or without weapons.)
When you see fire or smoke
During a heart attack, or other serious, medical condition or injury
Any situation requiring the immediate response of a fire truck, ambulance or law enforcement vehicle.
Environmental hazards, such as toxic spills
When life and/or property are in immediate danger

When not to use 9-1-1

Noise complaints
Barking dogs
Complaint follow-ups
Burning permits
Routine medical transports
Finding a towed vehicle
Asking directions (call your destination and ask them)
Inquiring about school openings and closings
Reporting a blocked driveway, obstructed hydrant, etc.
Asking about snow emergencies or parking bans
Reporting a major noise complaint
Asking about traffic tickets
Seeking information from a police or fire officer
Asking about a late school bus
Checking the weather
Reporting rust in the water or dirty water
Reporting garbage problems
Reporting street lights out
No heat problem
Needing domestic violence help
Reporting problems with a building's structure, etc.
Public health problem
Other non-emergency calls

6. What is Civil Process?

Civil process is the handling and serving of legal and court documents such as:

summons dissolution of marriage subpoena restraining order

foreclosure eviction protection order judgment

Civil documents are served on behalf of individuals, private attorneys, the Court, county departments and agencies.  These documents can be served by private process servers, however many people choose to use the Sheriff's Office.

7. Can the Sheriff's Office Resolve Landlord/Tenant Disputes?

The relationship between a landlord and his/her tenant is one of a personal & civil nature. As such, the Sheriff's Office cannot intervene or decide these disputes. If the parties involved cannot reach an agreement, they will have to take their case to court. They may do this by contacting an attorney, or in some cases, they may file a case with the Clerk of the District Court. For additional information concerning the landlord/tenant relationships, please visit Kansas Legal Services - Kansas Tenant Handbook and Guide.

8. Will the Sheriff's Office preform a Civil Standby?

The Sheriff's Office occasionally gets requests for a deputy to accompany someone to a residence to retrieve or recover personal property. We will generally try to assist people at the time they call or come in, if the property exchange or retrieval can be handled peacefully within 30 minutes or less. The sole purpose of a deputy's presence is to KEEP THE PEACE. Any property over which ownership is in dispute should be handled in the courts. The deputy may conclude the Civil Standby at any time for any reason he deems necessary.

9. Can the Sheriff's Office preform Background Checks?

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office can provide information deemed public by the Kansas Open Records Act. However, the Sheriff's Office is prohibited by law from running a criminal history background for you by utilizing the National Crime Information Center. Residents can obtain a more thorough, statewide background check by visiting the Kansas Criminal History Record Check website.

10. How can I file a Missing Person’s Report?

Missing/Runaway  Juveniles: The parent or guardian of any juvenile (under 18 years of  age) may file a missing person-runaway juvenile report at any time.  These reports will be immediately entered into the NCIC law enforcement  database, which would serve to alert any officer from any jurisdiction  having contact with the juvenile that he or she is listed as missing or a  runaway. Deputies will also follow-up on any leads provided by the  parent or guardian as to the possible location of the juvenile.

Missing Adults: Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older is  considered to be an adult with full liberty to move about as they  choose, with the exception of persons 18 years of age or older who  remain under the legal guardianship of another adult or protective  services. Deputies will take reports of missing adults at any time. The  extent of any follow-up will depend upon the circumstances of the  disappearance. For example, if evidence indicates that the missing  person was endangered or may have been forcibly abducted, deputies would  immediately begin following up on leads. If the missing person simply has not been seen recently, but no evidence of foul play was found to  exist, then our options and responsibilities in those cases may be  limited under the law. See the link for the The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for additional information.

11. Will the Sheriff's Office preform Welfare Checks?

The Sheriff's Office frequently receives requests to perform welfare checks. These generally occur when people are unable to reach a family member or close friend and are concerned about the health & welfare of that person. A deputy will be dispatched to the address to see if contact can be made. If contact is made, the deputy will conduct a brief informal investigation to determine the physical and/or mental health and well-being of the person, without violating his or her privacy rights. Another type of request is from a parent to check on minor children in the permanent or temporary custody of the other parent. The Sheriff's Office will do a welfare check provided the parent making the request can provide specific reasons based on facts that the welfare of the minor children is in jeopardy.

12. How do I obtain fingerprints for pre-employment?

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office will fingerprint persons upon request  as part of pre-employment criminal history background checks. Residents should come to the Sheriff's Office Monday through Friday from 8:30  a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to have this process complete.

13. Property boundary disputes - What is the solution?

Property  Boundary Disputes: Occasionally, the Sheriff's office is asked to  intervene and settle real estate disputes concerning property line  boundaries.  These are private, civil matters between the parties  involved.  A Judge must settle them in court if the parties cannot agree  among themselves.  We cannot examine property deeds or survey documents  or landmarks to determine or settle property boundary disputes.  We  will take a written report if asked for informational purposes only, but  that must be the extent of our involvement in these issues.  Of course,  if a court issued orders requiring the Sheriff's Office to perform some  act or function relating to a property dispute, we would follow the  order of the court.

14. Where do I pay traffic tickets?

Citations issued by Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputies may be paid, unless required to appear in court, by contacting the Ellis County District Court Clerk's Office.  The Court Clerk’s Office is located on the 2nd story of the Ellis County Courthouse, which is located at 107 W. 12th St. Hays, Kansas. They can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by calling (785) 628-9415.

You may also choose to pay your fine online by visiting the www.CitePayUSA.com website and choosing "Ellis County District Court Court" from the drop-down menu.

You may make an online payment after your citation information is entered into the system.  This typically can take up to five (5) days from the date you received the citation.

The online payment method is only available to those who are not required to appear in court.

15. Will the Sheriff's Office unlock my personal vehicle?

Only in cases of an EMERGENCY, such as a small child being locked inside a vehicle, can the Sheriff's Office send someone to assist with gaining entry to your personal vehicle. Our deputies do not carry any unlocking tools in their patrol cars, and potential liability for property damage will not allow us to unlock personal vehicles.

In non-emergency cases, you would need to call a professional locksmith to assist in gaining entry into your vehicle.