Kansas State Laws

Kansas currently has twenty-nine counties that consider themselves to be dry counties, whereas only seventeen counties allow liquor to be sold without purchasing food, called liquor-by-the-drink. The state of Kansas has an intricate system for handling alcohol consumption and sale.

Kansas law requires that a ten percent liquor tax be taken on any liquor that is consumed in a licensed location. On the other hand Kansas law requires an eight percent liquor enforcement tax for retail purchased liquor. Kansas is governed by state laws that are different from all other states. These laws are more specific than federal laws and include labor laws, divorce laws, bankruptcy laws, expungement laws, gun laws, and drunk driving laws.

DUI

The punishment for driving under the influence is based on the number of prior offenses as well as any aggravating circumstances. The nation blood alcohol content level for the entire nation is 0.08 percent, if an individual’s blood alcohol content exceeds this level or doubles this level, his or her consequences will increase.

Punishments for driving under the influence normally include driver’s license suspension, imprisonment, fine payments, alcohol education classes, installation of interlocking devices, and others. When an individual acquires a driver’s license he or she gives common consent to submit to chemical testing when requested. Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol content test will result in an automatic driver’s license suspension, regardless of blood alcohol content. Aggravating circumstances can include driving over the speed limit, having a minor in the motor vehicle, causing injury to another, and others.

Wages

In 2009 the federal government raised its minimum wage requirements to seven dollars and twenty-five cents. This increase required all states to increase their minimum wages. The minimum wage was increased to help compensate for the increase is food prices, property prices, and other financial necessities.

The Kansas minimum wage was raised to meet the federal minimum. Under federal law no employer may legally pay an employee less than this amount. However employees who receive tip regularly can legally be paid two dollars and thirteen cents hourly. This system is designed to allow wage compensation through the obtained tips.

Expungement

Not all who apply for expungement in Kansas will have expungement granted. Expungement is not a right and only a few are eligible. Most often a majority of convictions cannot be expunged from a record, including felony offenses and misdemeanor offense. Juvenile offenses can normally be expunged after an individual is twenty-three-years-old and no subsequent convictions have resulted in two years. Violent offense convictions, even for juvenile offenders, can often not be expunged. Expungement does not mean that the record is erased, rather just hidden.

Divorce

Each state has a different set of requirements for filing for divorce. Kansas requires individuals to reside within the state borders for at least sixty days before filing for divorce. Individuals are also required to file in their counties or the counties of their spouses. The county circuit courts handle all divorce cases, so if an individual files with the incorrect court, his or her petition will be dismissed.

Kansas Law Articles