Judge John M. Marnocha to retire in January from St. Joseph County Superior Court post
SOUTH BEND — St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge John M. Marnocha announced in late September that he will retire from the bench on Jan. 31 after serving in that capacity for 25 years.
In a news release announcing the retirement, Marnocha said, "After much consideration, thought, and conversation with my family, I have decided that I will retire as a St. Joseph Superior Court judge effective January 31, 2024."
Marnocha was appointed in December 1998 by then-Gov. Frank O'Bannon to the Superior Court judgeship. He filled the vacancy created on the court when Judge Sanford M. Brook was appointed to the Indiana Court of Appeals. Marnocha at the time was chief deputy prosecutor under St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael P. Barnes.
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"It has been my great privilege and honor to serve the citizens of St. Joseph County and the State of Indiana," Marnocha said in his prepared statement. "However, after 25 years as a judge and 41 years as a lawyer, it’s time that I move on and retire. I do hope to continue my service as a senior judge, at least for the short term."
Marnocha began his duties in the prosecutor's office in 1986 as a part-time deputy prosecutor and became full-time in 1988 and began handling major felony cases. He became chief deputy prosecutor under Barnes in 1995.
A South Bend native, Marnocha is a graduate of Adams High School and attended Butler University and Indiana University Bloomington before graduating in 1978 from Indiana University South Bend. He earned his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1982.
When a vacancy occurs, the names of potential successors are gathered by the St. Joseph County Judicial Nominating Commission. The commission members provide the names of five nominees to the Indiana governor's office. The governor then appoints one to fill the judge vacancy.
Marnocha said it was his hope to continue to serve as a senior judge, even through the short-term period until the vacancy is filled.
"I wish my successor the best of luck, and I pledge to do whatever I can to make sure that there is a seamless transition," Marnocha said.
Email Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@sbtinfo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Superior Court Judge Marnocha to retire January 2024
