By Melissa Davlin, Idaho Reports

Starting January 1, the Idaho Supreme Court will have a new chief justice.

Justice G. Richard Bevan has been elected as the new chief justice by his colleagues. Current Chief Justice Roger Burdick will continue to serve as an associate justice after his term ends on Dec. 31.

Chief justices serve a four-year term. 

Bevan practiced law in Twin Falls for 16 years and served as the Twin Falls County prosecutor before Gov. Dirk Kempthorne appointed him to the bench in 2003. He served as the presiding judge of the Fifth Judicial District Mental Health Court, as well as the Veteran’s Treatment Court, according to his biography. He also served as the Administrative District Judge for Idaho’s Fifth Judicial District. 

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter appointed Bevan to the Idaho Supreme Court in September 2017. 

“The Idaho judiciary, as the third branch of government, is filled with outstanding women and men who serve Idaho’s citizens with distinction. I am humbled and honored to be elected to serve as their Chief Justice for the next four years,” Bevan said in a press release. “The trying times in which we are now living require vitality and constructive thinking from each of us, and I pledge on behalf of all judges in our state that we will persist in rising to the occasion by maintaining the tradition of excellence that Idaho’s judiciary is known for — and that our citizens expect and deserve.” 

As the most senior member of the court, Burdick will serve as the vice chief justice.

“Justice Bevan has continually set high personal standards in his professional and private lives and has had tremendous success as a result,” Burdick said in a press release. “He will continue that distinguished example as Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court.”

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