With just one applicant to fill a Circuit Court vacancy in the 31st Judicial District, the state Judicial Selection Commission has cancelled a scheduled May 1 meeting and reopened the application process. The meeting to interview applicants and recommend names to Gov. Don Sundquist will be rescheduled, said Connie Clark, administrative director of the courts.
Tennessee Code Annotated spells out the procedure for filling trial court vacancies. Under the code, the governor appoints one of the applicants nominated by the 17-member Judicial Selection Commission."
Attorneys hoping to succeed retiring Judge Charles Haston must apply by the end of the business day May 17, the new deadline. Applicant questionnaires are available from the Administrative Office of the Courts, 511 Union Street, Suite 600, Nashville, TN 37219. Applications also are available on the court system website at www.tsc.state.tn.us or by calling the AOC at 615-741-2687.
Haston, a judge since 1974, announced he will retire effective May 1. Voters in the 31st Judicial District, including Van Buren and Warren counties, will choose a permanent successor in the August general election to fill the unexpired term ending Aug. 31, 2006.