Kent Municipal Court Judge Robert B.C. McSeveney will retire Nov. 1 after nearly 18 years to take a position with the U.S. Department of Justice as a federal immigration judge.
McSeveney was Kent’s first Municipal Court judge after being appointed by then Mayor Jim White and confirmed by the Kent City Council in January 1994, according to a city of Kent media release.
“I want to thank Judge McSeveney for his distinguished service to our city and congratulate him on his new position,” said Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke in the media release. “I have always appreciated his focus on the importance of delivering fairness and transparency at the municipal court. I wish him well.”
McSeveney was the first municipal court judge to serve as co-chair of the Washington State Board for Judicial Administration and as a member of the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my service to the Kent community and want to thank the public for electing me as one of their judges over the years,” McSeveney said. “I especially want to thank Mayor Suzette Cooke and former Mayor Jim White for their commitment to justice and for supporting the court over the years.”
Voters re-elected McSeveney in 2009 when he ran unopposed.
McSeveney has also served as a faculty member for the state’s Judicial College and was given the honor of being named the District and Municipal Court Judge’s Association Outstanding Judge of the Year in 2002.
“Bob and I have been friends for 27 years and bench mates for almost 18,” said Presiding Judge Glenn Phillips. “Bob has been key in developing the Kent Municipal Court into one of the most respected courts in the state. He has been a tremendous asset to the city of Kent and our state’s judiciary. I am going to miss him.”
Subject to confirmation by the City Council, Cooke will appoint a temporary replacement to fill the remainder of McSeveney’s term ending Dec. 31, 2013. Election for the position will be in November 2013.
Kent started a municipal court in 1994 to handle criminal misdemeanors such as petty theft, simple assault, prostitution and other similar cases. Kent used to contract with King County to handle criminal misdemeanors.
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