District Magistrate Judge Richard Hodson to retire

TOPEKA—District Magistrate Judge Richard Hodson will retire December 16 after serving 17 years in the 25th Judicial District.

The 25th Judicial District is composed of Finney, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, Scott, and Wichita counties.

Hodson said the most satisfying part of serving as a judge was always trying to do the right thing. 

“Whether I succeeded or not, I consistently tried to do what was right,” Hodson said. “I tried to render just decisions and to treat the people who came before me with dignity and respect.”

Hodson graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1982. Before becoming a judge, he served as a criminal prosecutor and was in private practice. He was appointed judge in 2005.

“I entered the field of law in a spirit of public service,” Hodson said. “Becoming a judge was a natural extension of that spirit.”

In retirement, Hodson and his wife, Nancy, look forward to seeing more of their three children and two grandchildren

District judges in the 25th Judicial District are appointed through a merit selection process. State statute requires a nominating commission to accept nominations, interview nominees, and forward names of finalists to the governor, who appoints a replacement. After serving one year in office, the new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.