Council approves new presiding judge for Gilbert
By BETH LUCAS TRIBUNE CONTACT WRITER: (480) 898-6373 or blucas@evtrib.com
Gilbert Municipal Court Judge John Hudson was appointed Tuesday as the town’s new presiding judge.
The Town Council voted 6-1 to select Hudson from three remaining candidates.
Council members Joan Krueger and Les Presmyk were appointed to serve with the town manager and a town attorney to negotiate a contract and determine a salary for Hudson, who was the only internal candidate to apply.
Although Mayor Steve Berman cast the lone vote against the appointment, he praised Hudson at the end of the council meeting.
The position is important, Berman said, because it “sets the tone for the courts in our town. One of the most important things to me is how people are treated when they go to court,” he said, adding that “I just know the town will be happy with this presiding judge.”
Hudson has a law degree from Arizona State University. He replaces Judge David Phares, who has been the presiding judge for 17 years. Phares will stay in his position for two more months as Hudson prepares to take the reins of the town’s court system.
Hudson could not be reached for comment.
Phares said Wednesday that Hudson has been active with the court management team and will make the transition an easy one for the town. Before becoming Gilbert’s fourth judge six years ago, Hudson served as a town prosecutor for five years. He also has experience as a public defender, Phares said, adding that Hudson is a “very pleasant” and “bright” young man.
The council had previously voted to change requirements for selecting the new judge to allow internal candidates.
But Councilwoman Joan Krueger said as she made the motion to hire Hudson that “despite a general impression that this was a done deal, it was not. The candidates all interviewed very well and received (scores) based upon merits and strengths.”
The town code was also recently changed to require the presiding judge to have a law degree and at least five years of lower jurisdictional court experience. Phares does not have a law degree.
Phares said when his retirement takes effect, he will teach criminal justice courses at local community colleges.
John Hudson
