David Kays

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David Kays

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United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Tenure

2008 - Present

Years in position

16

Education

Bachelor's

Southwest Missouri State University, 1985

Law

University of Arkansas School of Law, 1987

Personal
Birthplace
Kansas City, Mo.

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David Gregory Kays (b.1962) is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Kays has served on the court since 2008, after being nominated by President George W. Bush. He was chief judge of the court from 2014 to 2019.

Early life and education

Kays earned his bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1985, and his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1987.[1]

Professional career

  • 2005-2008: Presiding judge
  • 1995-2004: Associate circuit judge
  • 1991-2004: Adjunct faculty, Drury University
  • 1989-1995: Laclede County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Missouri
  • 1991-1995: Prosecuting attorney
  • 1989-1991: Chief assistant prosecuting attorney
  • 1988-1989: Assistant prosecuting attorney
  • 1989: Assistant public defender, Office of the Special Public Defender, Springfield, Missouri
  • 1988-1989: Attorney in private practice, Missouri[1]

Judicial career

Western District of Missouri

Kays was nominated by President George W. Bush on November 15, 2007, to a seat vacated by Dean Whipple. Kays was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 10, 2008, and received commission on June 19, 2008.[1] Kays was elevated to the role of chief judge on January 3, 2014, succeeding Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. He served in this position until 2019.[2]

Noteworthy cases

Bank robbery case (2009)

See also: United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Judge Kays presided in a bank robbery case that differed from most bank robbery cases in federal court. This case involved a bank robber who turned himself in before the federal authorities could identify him as a suspect. Kays sentenced the robber to five years in federal prison on October 6, 2009.[3]

See also

External links


Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
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United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
2008-Present
Succeeded by
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