The search has begun to find a replacement for Kansas Supreme Court Justice Donald L. Allegrucci, who will leave the court early in 2007.

Justices are required to step down at the end of the term following their 70th birthday. Allegrucci will turn 70 later this month.

A state Supreme Court nominating commission will accept applications through Oct. 16. Interviews will be in early November, and names will be submitted to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Nov. 9.

She will have 60 days to make a selection.

Justices are required to be at least 30 years old and have 10 years’ experience practicing law in Kansas.

Allegrucci, a Pittsburg native, received his law degree from Washburn University in 1963 and practiced law privately for nearly 20 years before being named a district court judge. He also was a state senator and a member of the Democratic State Committee in the mid-1970s. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1987 by Gov. John Carlin.