« Courts - "Supreme Court to Address Pharmaceutical Companies' Protection From State Suits" [Updated] | Main | Ind. Law - Legislative Annexation Study Committee hears testimony »
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Ind. Courts - "Terre Haute attorney Craig McKee is installed as a new part-time federal magistrate judge"
Deb McKee Kelly of the Terre Haute Tribune-Star reports:
TERRE HAUTE — Under a 20-foot mural depicting the signing of the Magna Carta, Terre Haute attorney Craig McKee was sworn in Wednesday afternoon as a part-time United States magistrate judge.The ceremony took place in the courtroom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, in the federal building on Seventh and Cherry streets – a courtroom that McKee recalled seeing for the first time as a young lawyer, when he clerked for the Judge Gene E. Brooks of the district court.
During an address to assembled colleagues, friends, family and presiding federal Judge Larry J. McKinney, McKee expressed his initial awe at the courtroom, a massive space with nearly 30-foot ceilings, walls of cherry wood and the colorful mural.
McKee, 49, replaces longtime Magistrate Jordan Lewis, who retired from the federal bench earlier this year after more than 28 years of service.
During his comments, McKee said serving as part-time federal magistrate will allow him to experience “the best of both worlds,” as judge and practicing attorney. * * *
McKee’s magistrate duties will focus on the court’s pre-trial criminal proceedings in the Terre Haute division. The position oversees arraignments and initial appearances by criminal defendants facing charges through the U.S. Attorney’s office in U.S. District Court.
Part-time magistrate judges are appointed through a merit-selection process by the judges of the U.S. District Courts for terms of four years, and are eligible for reappointment to successive terms. The court anticipates that McKee will be appointed upon completion of required Internal Revenue Service and FBI background investigations.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 27, 2007 08:35 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts