This morning in the Northwest Indiana Times as well as the Post-Tribune, it was announced that Magistrate James Johnson, after more than twenty (20) years of service to Porter County, will retire effective August 1, 2011. (See Northwest Indiana Times article, “Porter County Magistrate Resigns Amid Case Backlog”, and Post-Tribune Article, “Porter County Magistrate Stepping Down”).
According to the articles, the Magistrate’s health and age are the main factors underlying his decision to step down. Johnson has been under significant pressure to resolve the considerable backlog of cases in his court, as one (1) of two (2) full-time magistrates handling all probate and adult family cases in Porter County. The Magistrate will cease taking on new cases as of this Friday, May 27, 2011, and will begin retirement August 1.
I am one of many attorneys who will miss Magistrate Johnson on the bench. In my short experience representing clients in his courtroom, I will say that the Magistrate was always respectful, even-handed, mild-mannered, and extremely fair. His respect for litigants–and especially for veterans–earned him my personal respect. I always looked forward to appearing before him, because I knew that a fair outcome would inevitably result. I appreciate Magistrate Johnson’s service in the military and as a Porter County Magistrate, and I hope that his replacement will be as courteous and patient as he was in dealing with cases that aren’t always the most desirable.
I hope the Magistrate will still attend our monthly Inns of Court meetings and make himself available in the community. I look forward to continuing to learn from his many years of experience.