The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission met by conference call Thursday to discuss the process to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Allen County that will be created on the retirement of Charles Apt III June 10th.
A magistrate judge generally handles misdemeanor, traffic, small claims and smaller civil cases, along with probate and juvenile matters and preliminary proceedings in felony criminal cases.
Unlike appellate court vacancies, the nominating commission will select the new magistrate judge, who is required to be an Allen County resident at the time of nomination, appointment or taking the oath of Office and while holding office.
Once appointed, the new judge would stand for retention at the first general election after serving one year in office, which would be in 2028.
Apt was appointed Magistrate Judge in 2023, after a 43-year legal career in Iola as part of a firm that locally dated back to 1903
