Circuit Judge Dennis Foust is retiring after 18 years of presiding over cases in Calloway and Marshall counties.
Foust, who was just elected to a third eight-year term last November, will announce his decision Friday. He said he feels it’s time for a change, but he would accept some temporary judge assignments if needed.
“That’s one of the things that I’ve indicated, that after I retire, I would be available to fill in temporarily as need be, because I have no intention of leaving the circuit in a lurch,” Foust said.
Foust says he anticipates July 16 will be his last official day presiding over the 42nd Circuit. He said his successor will be elected in November. Normally, an interim replacement would be appointed by the governor after the state judicial nominating commission sends a list of three candidates. But Foust doubts an interim judge will be appointed with just a few months until the election.
"If you look at when the vacancy is going to take place, in theory, there could be an appointment, but realistically, no one is going to want an appointment for a month or two until an election," Foust said.
Foust was appointed to the post in March 1997, succeeding David Buckingham.
