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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Courts - "WICHITA, Kan. -- U.S. Senior District Judge Wesley Brown has died at age 104"

Ron Sylvester of McClatchy Newspapers has the story in the Kansas City Star. The long, interesting story includes:

"I hope to be remembered as a good judge, and not just an old judge," Brown told The Eagle newspaper last year, sitting in his office.

Brown used to shake his head when he heard people talk about "activist judges" or push for the election of judges.

Brown said he took his lifetime appointment seriously, because of its important role in the separation of powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

"And I hope the courts can keep their independence and not be subservient to the pressures of other branches of government, or other special interests. It is this separation of powers that is vital to our democracy," Brown said on his 100th birthday. "It's what makes America what it is."

Federal judgeships are life-time appointments.

In Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges by statute must retire upon reaching the age of 75. In 2011 the General Assembly passed SEA 463, which eliminated any mandatory retirement age for trial court judges.

For background, see this Feb. 9, 2011 ILB entry.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 25, 2012 01:50 PM
Posted to Courts in general