Nick St. Peter has been named the new chief judge for the district court of Cowley County. He replaces J. Michael Smith, who died suddenly in September.
St. Peter ? a former local attorney who has served as judge for about six years ? was appointed to the chief position several weeks ago. He expects the state to eventually make a formal announcement.
A chief judge is charged with overseeing many of the administrative duties necessary to keep the district court running properly. A couple of local court sources said they expect St. Peter will handle much of the court’s criminal docket while newly elected Judge LaDonna Lanning gets settled.
St. Peter told NewsCow he was only comfortable taking the chief position after speaking with Judge Jim Pringle ? who presides over the district court docket in Ark City.
Pringle has more years on the bench than St. Peter, but did not have a strong interest in the job and was content to remain presiding judge in Ark City, St. Peter said. Length of tenure is often a determining factor in who becomes chief judge.
