Opinion ID: 2539257
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: appellate jurisdiction/standard of review

Text: As noted, the appellee did not file a brief and, accordingly, has not challenged our jurisdiction to entertain the State's question. Nevertheless, we have a duty to question jurisdiction on our own initiative. See State v. Wendler, 280 Kan. 753, Syl. ¶ 1, 126 P.3d 1124 (2006). Apparently recognizing that duty, the State preemptively points to K.S.A. 22-3602(b)(3), which states that appeals may be taken by the prosecution from cases before a district judge as a matter of right ... upon a question reserved by the prosecution. The State acknowledges, however, that appellate courts have chosen not to entertain a question reserved which will not provide helpful precedent, such as where the answer depends upon the specific facts of the case and the State's motive is merely to demonstrate to a particular judge that he or she made an erroneous ruling. See State v. Skolaut, 286 Kan. 219, 225, 182 P.3d 1231 (2008); State v. Leonard, 248 Kan. 427, 433, 807 P.2d 81 (1991). However, we do consider questions where the issues are `matters of statewide interest important to the correct and uniform administration of the criminal law and the interpretation of statutes.' In re C.P.W., 289 Kan. 448, 451, 213 P.3d 413 (2009). The State contends that its reserved question fits within those parameters for review because district courts are not in agreement as to a juvenile's entitlement to a preliminary hearing. We agree. Resolution of the question before us will provide helpful precedent for the district courts and will promote uniform administration of the law. To be consistent with our stated criteria for accepting a question reserved by the prosecution, the issue involved must necessarily present a question of law. Accordingly, our standard of review is unlimited. See Skolaut, 286 Kan. at 225, 182 P.3d 1231.