MISSOULA - Judge Karen Orzech announced Tuesday, April 5 that she will be retiring effective July 8. The Board of County Commissioners will make an appointment to fill her position until a successor is elected at the 2016 general election in November.
“It has been more than an honor, but a true pleasure, to serve the citizens of Missoula County as Justice of the Peace for nearly 18 years,” Judge Orzech said. “My judicial philosophy is to serve the public with kindness and respect while effecting a positive change in their lives by applying the law to the facts. The Justice Court II staff is a talented and very responsive and effective team with a heart for customer service. I am most proud of my work with defendants who have committed to a sober life with the help of a judge committed to treatment court. I have accomplished what I set out to do in Justice Court, and feel it is time for me to explore other opportunities.”
Judge Orzech continued, “It is of utmost importance to me that the public will have the opportunity to vote for a judge this November instead of November of 2018. With my timely resignation, the commissioners will appoint someone for the rest of the year, rather than the rest of my term. I thank you for your support and the opportunity to serve you and I wish the county the very best.”
Because Judge Orzech will be retiring two and a half years before her term expires, an interim Justice of the Peace will be appointed by the Board of Missoula County Commissioners on or before July 8 as per Montana statute. This vote does not need to be unanimous. The commissioners will be meeting to outline the process for making the appointment. The person appointed must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Missoula County for one year preceding the appointment.
Candidates for the elected position will need to file declarations for nomination for the general election with the Missoula County election administrator. As provided in statute, the commissioners will declare a 10-day period for accepting declarations for nomination. The period will begin no sooner than July 8.
Once an interim judge has been appointed, he or she will fully carry out the duties of the position as if he or she were elected. The next Justice of the Peace will take office on Jan. 1, 2017 from the resulting election, as defined in the corresponding statutes 3-10-206 Vacancies, 13-14-118 Vacancies among nominees after nomination and before general election and 3-10-204 Residence requirements.
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