Twelve attorneys are seeking to replace the late Judge Bob Moon on the General Sessions bench, including one who wants to be a caretaker until a special election this August.
A chief magistrate, an arbitrator, a current and several former prosecutors, a civil trial attorney and a city judge are applying for the position, which pays about $156,000 a year. Friday was the application deadline.
A General Sessions Court judge hears both civil and criminal cases. The judge can accept pleas in misdemeanor cases and rule whether there is probable cause to send felony criminal charges to the grand jury.
The Hamilton County Commission plans to appoint an interim judge March 1, who will serve until a special election Aug. 2.
Bryan Hoss, a partner in the firm Davis & Hoss, P.C., said he decided to apply on Feb. 4 after reading that local officials said Assistant County Attorney David Norton was emerging as a front-runner even before the application period closed.