By Michelle Costa, Local News 8 Reporter
POCATELLO - Court cases in Bannock County have been a little backed up for months with a vacant judge seat.
On Thursday, after a full day of interviews, the Magistrate Judge position for the 6th Judicial District is being filled, meaning things will finally get back to normal.
We spent the day with the Magistrate Commission, the group deciding who will take the gavel.
Behind closed doors, 15 applicants are taking center stage, during twenty-minute interviews, all to find that one person to become the new magistrate judge.
"It is really important to interact with them on a one-on-one basis and hear what they say to the group and how they think of their feet,” said Lonna Jean Conroy, Lay Member.
"It's important that we have someone who has a broad-based experience. The jurisdiction of the magistrate judges in our community handle a broad array of criminal, domestic and civil matters,” said Judge Mitch Brown, District Judge.
The group picking the candidate is very diverse made up of mayors, judges and lay members appointed by the Governor like Lonna Jean Conroy, who has served for years and believes it's important for the average citizen to be a part of the decision.
"It's extremely important because we bring the voice of the people and a lay person's point of view. We're not beholding as a county commissioner would be directly to the people although we hear from the people,” said Conroy.
Soon the Magistrate Judge position will be filled and other judges are excited for the future and ready for that person to step in.
"These magistrate judges are the first person that someone will see in the court system so they're very, very important,” said Conroy.
They're positive whomever they pick will serve our community to the fullest.
The Commission finished interviews and began deliberating around 3 pm.
They expect to have a decision on Thursday night. We'll receive the official word on whom they picked by Friday morning.
