Johnson County District Judge Gerald Elliott to retire in January

Johnson County District Court Judge Gerald T. Elliott, who was appointed to the bench in late 1990, will retire when his current term ends in January 2017.

Elliott was appointed by then Gov. Mike Hayden. Under Kansas law, district judges must retire at age 75, or by the end of the term in which they reach that age.

In the announcement, Elliott said it has been “an honor and a privilege to serve the public ... I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and have endeavored to provide the fundamental fairness and trust the public expects and the judicial system requires.”

Elliott has served on the courts of all levels in Kansas, including hearing cases with the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Before his appointment as district judge, Elliott was a Merriam municipal court judge for 18 years.

During his time on the bench, Elliott served as president of the American Judges Association and as a director with the National Center for State Courts. He graduated from the University of Kansas law school in 1964.

Those interested in applying for the district judge opening have until noon Sept. 8 to submit nomination documentation. A nominating commission is scheduled to meet Oct. 14 to interview and select candidates for submission to Gov. Sam Brownback to fill the district judge vacancy.

This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 9:41 AM with the headline "Johnson County District Judge Gerald Elliott to retire in January."