Superior Court judge Terry Snow decides to step down early, Governor will appoint interim replacement

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Terry Snow File Photo

HANCOCK COUNTY — Judge Terry Snow had no plans to run for re-election in 2020. But he has decided he won’t wait a year to leave office at the end of his term and will instead step down in December.

Snow, 71, made the decision official during a judicial conference late last week. Gov. Eric Holcomb will now name a replacement to fill the Superior Court 1 seat until the 2020 election picks a new judge.

“A man once told me when it’s time to go, you’ll know it, and I know it,” Snow said.

Snow had been considering stepping down for about three months, he said, and spoke with Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush about his thoughts. She asked him to give the governor at least 90 days’ notice. Snow did that at the end of last week’s conference.

Snow, who first was elected judge in Superior Court 1 in 2002, admitted the unexpected death of Cass County Superior Court Judge Richard Maughmer, a friend, weighed heavy on him and made him realize he wanted to spend more time with his family. Maughmer died last week in an accident at his home.

“Maybe that was a sign,” Snow said. “I just know it’s time for me to go.”

The decision by Snow to step down took fellow county judges Scott Sirk and Dan Marshall by surprise.

“Since 1986, he’s been that dominate force in Hancock County law,” said Sirk, who presides in Hancock County Circuit Court. “Since being the prosecutor and then as a judge, Snow has really changed how we practice law in Hancock County, making us more efficient and more prepared.”

For Marshall, who has worked with Snow for 31 years — including several years in the prosecutor’s office and then as a judge in superior court — it’s going to be odd not working with his colleague on a personal and professional level.

“He has institutional knowledge you cannot easily replace, and he also has an incredible work ethic,” Marshall said.

When Marshall worked with Snow at the prosecutor’s office, he said, Snow was always the first person at work and the last one to leave, setting a standard many could only try to follow.

Snow’s departure at the end of the year will trigger a succession protocol. When a judge leaves office for any reason, the governor chooses a replacement. In superior courts, replacement judges complete the remainder of the unfinished term, which in Snow’s case is 2020. Any lawyer may apply to to be considered for the position.

The application period for judicial openings will be 30 days after posting on the State of Indiana website. The governor’s office may extend the application period at its discretion, according to the website.

Three people already had announced they are running in next year’s election to succeed Snow, who didn’t plan to run again in 2020. At least two of them — chief deputy prosecutor Marie Castetter and Court Commissioner Cody Coombs — will be candidates to be appointed by Holcomb.

“The goal has always been to run in the primary in May of 2020 and be successful there and win the election,” Castetter said. “Hopefully, now I can get a head start.”

Coombs’s calculus is a little more complicated. As court commissioner, he oversees cases as the regular judges do. But he will have to give up that job if he wins the appointment. Unlike Castetter, he likely won’t be able to return to it if he loses in the primary. He is, however, undeterred.

“It’s risky for whoever applies for the spot,” Coombs said. “If I get it, the commissioner’s spot will be filled by somebody else, and then if I should lose the election I’ll have to go on and do something different.”

The third candidate on the primary ballot next spring is attorney Jessica Lacy. She could not be reached for comment.

Hancock County courts were in a similar position when Circuit Court Judge Richard Culver retired October of 2017. The governor appointed Sirk as interim judge. Sirk was then elected to the position in 2018.

Like others, Castetter said she was surprised to hear that Snow had decided to step down a year early. But, she said, he has worked hard and has earned the opportunity to have a great retirement.

“Being a judge is a large part of who he is, so to step away from that, I know he must be ready,” Castetter said. “I have the utmost respect for him and wish him nothing but the best.”