C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2018 18:022
CONTACT: Jon Hanian
(208) 334-2100

JUDGE JOHN STEGNER APPOINTED TO IDAHO SUPREME COURT

(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced the appointment today of veteran Second District Judge
John Stegner of Moscow to fill the Idaho Supreme Court vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Warren
Jones.
Stegner was one of four finalists nominated for the position by the Idaho Judicial Council. The University of
Idaho College of Law graduate has been a Moscow-based district judge since January 1997 after being
appointed by then-Governor Phil Batt in November 1996. He previously was in private legal practice with the
Lewiston firm Clements, Brown & McNichols, P.A., for 12 years; clerked for the late U.S. District Judge
Harold Ryan for two years; and worked periodically for the family business, Stegner Grain & Seed Co.,
throughout the Palouse for several years. He also managed Governor Otter’s first statewide campaign in
1978.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen by Governor Otter to fill the open seat on Idaho’s Supreme
Court,” the Grangeville native said. “I will do my utmost to live up to the responsibility placed on me.”
Stegner was instrumental in starting the Latah County Drug Court in January 2002 “because I was frustrated
with the lack of options available to me as a sentencing judge when dealing with individuals addicted to
controlled substances.” In addition, he has presided over the Latah County Mental Health Court since
starting it in July 2012 “because I was also frustrated by the way the mentally ill were dealt with in the
criminal justice system.”
As a district judge, Stegner received the Idaho State Bar Distinguished Jurist Award in 2017, the Sheldon A.
Vincenti Award for exemplary service to the University of Idaho law school in 2014, and the George G.
Granata Jr. Award from the Idaho Judiciary for demonstrated professionalism in 2012.
“Judge Stegner’s record alone speaks volumes about his commitment to the law, his community and our
state,” Governor Otter said. “He understands and has the professional acumen and civic virtue to address
the underlying issues impacting Idaho’s courts. Justice Stegner will be a great addition to Idaho’s appellate
bench.”