County appoints interim justice

POLSON — A Lake County attorney was appointed interim justice of the peace at  a meeting of county commissioners last Thursday.  Anne Marie McNeel of  Charlo, attorney and mother of two, was chosen by the county board over the other finalist, Kenneth Pitts.

The position will be filled for the full term in the November election for which there will be 12 candidates on the ballot.

Commissioner Paddy Trusler said, “the final two were selected because they are practicing attorneys who we believe have an understanding of court proceedings.”

Commissioner Bill Barron seconded the sentiment on the decision, saying, “the candidates we have selected were the most qualified, and are equally qualified to do the best job they can for us in the interim position,” he said.

The interim will begin presiding over cases on Aug. 29.

McNeel sent out this prepared statement on Monday:

“In response to requests for information of my recent appointment as Interim Lake County Justice of the Peace, I would like to say that I am happy to serve the public in this capacity. I intend to provide due diligence to the legal matters before this court, in addition  to giving attention to the courts organization to help facilitate the transition of this position to the newly-elected justice of the peace. To this end, I ask the media to respect the judicial privacy this position renders and help turn the public’s attention to the upcoming election.”

None of the candidates for the interim position had experience as a judge and with the need to fill the position the Montana Supreme Court will be appointing a mentor for training purposes until the interim is able to attend Judge School in October.

The Montana Supreme Court will also need to file for a waiver allowing the interim to try cases without the required training.

There is still the issue of  cases Judge Wall had yet to rule on before his resignation.

“The Supreme court ruled against Wall returning to close his unfinished cases,” said Commissioner Ann Brower.

Brower added that “County Attorney Russell will be making a decision as to the cases. There is still a possibility that all cases will be dismissed.”

County Attorney Russell could not be reached for comment.

“The interim judge will be asked to do a lot in a short period. Those actions will be passed on to the elected judge, ”  Commissioner Trusler said.

There are 12 candidates on the November ballot to fill the justice of the peace position for the remainder of Wall’s term; Alan Booth, Ron Boyce, Dennis Devries, Joey Jayne, Edwin R. Jonas III, Steven Robert Kendley, Daryl Kerr, Kathleen O’Rouke Mullins, James Raymond, Sharon Richardson, Rick Schoening, and David A. Weinandy DVM.