Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Joe Riley will end a 25-year career as a member of the state judiciary July 15 to take on a new role as chief disciplinary counsel for the Court of the Judiciary.
Riley, of Lake County, will investigate complaints of judicial misconduct filed against Tennessee judges. The Court of the Judiciary is charged by state law with receiving complaints and imposing sanctions or recommending removal from office when appropriate. Riley will succeed retired Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Jerry Scott of Murfreesboro, who has been appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve as a senior judge.
"It is a tremendous honor to have served more than 25 years in the Tennessee judiciary, which is the finest in the nation," Riley said. "Friendships I have developed across the state will be everlasting. I only hope I have done something positive for the people of Tennessee to give them trust and confidence in our system of justice."
He said the career move also will allow him to "pursue a true passion of many years." He will teach law-related seminars to judges, attorneys and others who are not part of the legal community.
Chief Justice Frank Drowota described Riley's retirement as "a tremendous loss to the judicial system."
"He has been an excellent, fair and hard-working judge as well as a great friend to those who have served with him over the years," the chief justice said. "His judicial service will be missed, but he will continue to provide an important service as disciplinary counsel for the Court of the Judiciary."
Circuit Court Judge J.S. "Steve" Daniel of Murfreesboro, presiding judge of the Court of the Judiciary, said Riley is an "excellent choice" to succeed Scott as disciplinary counsel.
"He has served as the presiding judge of the court in years past and is familiar with the court's responsibilities. Joe has taught judicial ethics for the Tennessee Judicial Conference and has a passion for the subject," Daniel said. "In addition to being an excellent counsel, he will make an outstanding ambassador for the court and the Tennessee judiciary."
Long-time friend and judicial colleague Chancellor Steven Stafford of Dyersburg described Riley as "an extraordinary trial judge and, if possible, a better appellate judge."
"He has consistently been a leader in all aspects of the judiciary and was never afraid to try something different in an effort to improve the judicial system," Stafford said. "He has always been passionate about judicial ethics and, in his new position, will be able to continue to work to improve our judicial system."
A successor to Riley on the 12-member Court of Criminal Appeals will be appointed by Gov. Phil Bredesen to serve until 2006 when the office will be on the ballot. Applicants seeking the appointment will be screened by the state Judicial Selection Commission and three names will be presented to the governor for consideration. A deadline for applications and additional information for attorneys interested in applying will be announced and posted on the court system website at www.tsc.state.tn.us.
Riley graduated from the University of Tennessee and the UT College of Law. He was in the private practice of law from 1972-1978 when he was elected circuit court judge for Lake and Dyer counties. In 1996, he was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. He was elected to an eight-year term in 1998.
During his tenure as a judge, Riley served as president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference; was a member and presiding judge of the Court of the Judiciary; served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Memphis School of Law; and chaired the Judicial Performance Program Committee.