New judge in Washington County

Here is the govenor's press release reporting that current Washington County Attorney Kim Cudney has been appointed to succeed Judge Thomas Tuggle as District Judge. I've only dealt with Kim a couple of time, so I really don't know much about her.

I am a little conflicted at times with regard to the high precentage of judges that seem to be former prosecutors, with little or no defense experience. On one hand I am glad to see public attorneys filling judicial positions (rather than somewhat of a bias toward big firm attorneys in appellate courts and in districts like Topeka). On the other hand, it would be nice to see some defense attorneys (or even public defenders!) seeking and filling these positions, not just former prosecutors. If there is an interest in professional diversity, it would seem a logical step. Probably it is just my own bias.

And I certainly am not forgetting that a public defender is currently running for district judge right now in Reno County. Here is a link to Sarah McKinnon's campaign web site.

By the way, don't forget that the deadline for applications to fill Justice Allegrucci's position on the KSC is October 16 at noon. Here is the press release with information on that process.