Judge Ron Durby steps down, cites disability

HOW TO APPLYThose interested in applying for the Hamilton County General Sessions judge position can send their cover letters and resumes to Counsel to the Governor's Office, State Capitol, First Floor, 600 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37243 for receipt no later than Friday, Oct. 19, 2012.

Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Ron Durby announced Tuesday that he is stepping down from the bench because of a disability, according to a letter sent to Gov. Bill Haslam.

In the letter drafted Monday, Durby said he hopes a replacement for his seat will be temporary.

"It is my hope and prayer that I may recover quickly and sufficiently return to my duties serving the people of Hamilton County," Durby wrote. "However, I must now respectfully request that you appoint a temporary replacement to serve in my stead until I can return to service."

Durby's specific disability is not outlined in his letter.

The judge was not at the courthouse Tuesday and did not respond to requests for comment left at his home, but clerks said he would be back in his office today.

Because Durby cited medical disability as the reason he is stepping down, state law mandates that the governor will appoint his successor instead of the Hamilton County Commission. Those interested in applying for the post may apply to the governor's office.

Durby has been a judge since being appointed to the Sessions Court bench in 1996. Before that, he was clerk and master of Chancery Court for 10 years.

He was last re-elected to the post in 2006. The next judicial elections are in 2014.

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