Douglas County District Court Judge Robert Fairchild is a finalist for a spot on the Kansas Supreme Court, it was announced Friday.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will choose a new justice within the next two months from a list provided by a nominating commission. The new justice will fill the vacancy created by the Jan. 12 retirement of Chief Justice Kay McFarland. The other nominees are Overland Park attorney Dan Biles and Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Tom Malone.
Fairchild has been a district judge since 1996, and has served as Douglas County chief judge since 2002. Fairchild has been a finalist for the state Supreme Court twice before. In 2005, Sebelius selected Eric Rosen, then a Topeka judge, over Fairchild, and in 2007, she selected Lee Johnson.
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Dani (anonymous) says…
$10 says Dan Biles gets it.
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
I would encourage the Gov. once again to take a pass on Fairchild. Looking back at some of his decisions locally, I'm not sure we want to elevate him to a position on the Kansas Supreme Court. Let's opt for someone who is tough on criminals!
sinatra66047 (anonymous) says…
Judge Fairchild deserves it!!!!!!!!!!!
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
Not sure why you think that, old blue eyes, but certain things are within a judge's discretion, and we need someone on the Kansas Supreme Court who will sentence more stringently, commensurate with the crime. No consequences = no change in undesired behaviors.
Orwell (anonymous) says…
The Kansas Supreme Court rarely deals with criminal matters - there's a lot more to the law than how long people get locked up. More commonly, the Supremes deal with the relationship between the state and the individual, and I'd be pretty comfortable with Bob Fairchild participating (as one of seven Justices) in that call.
sinatra66047 (anonymous) says…
cheeseburger I think all that fat has gone to your head. Orwell knows whats hes actually talking about Thank You SIr!
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
Judge Fairchild would be an excellent addition to the Supreme Court and a tremendous loss for Douglas County.
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
For the record, I happen to think Judge Fairchild is a stand-up guy. I just think he's been a little soft in this county.
igby (anonymous) says…
Look! This Judge made a few bad choices that was the cause of some important laws to get changed regarding drug robberies on appeal and what is deemed felony murder. I did not like what happened because it weaken the law regarding stopping or preventing gang violence. It doesn't matter anyway, because stupid people will do crime regardless of the laws on the books. He is not fully to blame because of this change in the way the law is applied, sometimes he is harder on some and sometimes he is soft on some. But he is as good a judge as Douglas County has ever had considering the others on the bench; not that they're all that bad; he is one of the best ones of the bench. He is a really good trial judge and that's what is needed in the higher courts; not a political activist such as he will be replacing. He is hard on the cops when facts are in dispute and also supportive and considerate when he doesn't have to be. He will be missed in Douglas County!