Dickson to Step Down as Chief Justice
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Chief Justice of Indiana is planning to step away from the role before September. Brent Dickson, who is subject to mandatory retirement in 2016 at age 75, will remain a member of the high court and says “the time is right for this transition.” June 11, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Today, Brent E. Dickson announced he will step down as Chief Justice of Indiana. He will continue his role as an Associate Justice on the five-member Supreme Court subject to mandatory retirement effective in July 2016 when he turns 75. Dickson informed the Judicial Nominating Commission and said, “It has been a great joy and a privilege to have helped continue the Court's tradition of excellence – especially with four hard-working colleagues who are devoted to the law.” He further observed, “I am looking forward to being able to spend most of my time in legal research, deciding cases, and writing opinions.”
Dickson became Chief Justice in May 2012 after serving as Acting Chief Justice following the retirement of Randall T. Shepard. The Commission voted for Dickson – who had served on the Court for 26 years as an Associate Justice – to become Chief Justice effective immediately. A public investiture ceremony took place in August 2012.
Appointed to the Court in 1986 as the 100th Justice, Dickson had been urged to accept the position to provide stability and continuity to the judicial branch. Dickson explained, “Knowing that my tenure as Chief Justice was limited, each Associate Justice has actively participated in much of the administrative responsibilities and decisions of the office of Chief Justice.” He observed, “The time is right for this transition. The Court and state will be well served when one of my colleagues is selected as the next Chief Justice.”
According to the Indiana Constitution, the seven-member Judicial Nominating Commission is tasked with selecting a Chief Justice for a five-year term. The Commission is chaired by Chief Justice Dickson and includes three attorneys elected by their peers and three citizens, two appointed by Governor Pence and one appointed by Governor Daniels.
The Commission plans to invite the other members of the current Court – Justices Robert Rucker, Steven David, Mark Massa and Loretta Rush – to meet with them on August 6 about the role of Chief Justice. The session will be open to the public and press. Afterward, the Commission will deliberate in an executive session. It will reconvene in public to announce its selection of the next Chief Justice.
Chief Justice Dickson expects to step down from his leadership role sometime before September 1. Since he will remain on the Court, the Commission will not need to fill a vacancy.
Among the major initiatives during his tenure as Chief Justice, Dickson expanded efforts to bring the Court's trial court technology system to all Indiana courts, revitalized the use of volunteer attorneys to provide civil legal aid to the needy, and initiated the reform of Indiana's pre-trial release system to enhance public safety, reduce taxpayer expense, and provide greater fairness. His full biography and a high-resolution photo can be found online at http://courts.in.gov/citc/2829.htm.
Source: The Indiana Supreme Court
June 11, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Following Justice Brent Dickson's announcement that he plans to step down as Chief Justice of Indiana later this year, Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement.
“Chief Justice Dickson has served our state well for the last two years as the head of our state's highest court, and has brought his outstanding legal expertise and practical judgment to bear throughout his 28 years as a member of the court. I know him to be a man of great faith, and I applaud his long-standing commitment to public service in the legal system and look forward to his continued wisdom as he remains on the court.”
Source: The Office of Governor Mike Pence