Education/degrees attained:
B.S. Political Science, 1973 California State University, San Bernardino

J.D. Law Degree, 1976 Gonzaga University, School of Law Spokane Washington 

Graduate of General Jurisdiction Course for Judges, 1987 National Judicial College, Reno Nevada

Graduate of Economic Institute for State Judges, December 2001 Law and Organizational Economics Center Chapman University, Orange, California 

Legal Experience:

Admitted to Utah State Bar, February 1977

Admitted to Idaho State Bar, April 1977

Admitted to Federal District Court for State of Idaho

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Kootenai County

Deputy Public Defender for Kootenai County

Private Practice 1980-1986, General Litigation 

Judicial Experience

May 8, 1986, Appointed Magistrate Judge for the First Judicial District Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho (served 14 years as a Magistrate Judge)

July 1, 2000, Appointed by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to First District Court (As of August 1, 2010 will have served 10 years as a District Judge)

Other Experience: 

Supreme Court Committees:  Foster Care Committee, Judicial Education Committee, Tribal Court Forum,Court of Appeals Task Force, Judicial Retirement Advisory Committee

Member of the Idaho Judicial Council (Magistrate Judge Representative)

Administrative District Judge for the First District (10-1-06 to 10-1-09)

Personal Statement

I have had the pleasure of serving the citizens of the State of Idaho and the Idaho Judiciary over the past twenty-four years.  I have enjoyed the opportunity of sharing in the visionary progress of our court system over the years as many difficult problems facing the justice system in Idaho have been confronted. These advances have included the improvements in caseload management and speedy resolution of disputes through information dissemination and alternate dispute resolution avenues. I have participated directly in the formation and supervision of the Kootenai County DUI Court as part of the statewide effort of implementing specialty problem-solving courts.  I have promoted judicial education among my peers, within the legal committee, through law enforcement and generally throughout the community.

My judicial philosophy includes a strong independent judiciary with strict constitutional interpretation and a respect for legislative enactments.  Most importantly the citizens of this state deserve a judge that will listen with respect and patience, deliberate decisively and with moral courage and make fair and just determinations based upon the law.

To Succeed: John T. Mitchell