Published On: Tue, Dec 20th, 2011

Navajo District Court Judge Leroy S. Bedonie to retire

By: Karen Francis

The Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation announces the retirement of District Court Judge Leroy S. Bedonie, effective December 31, 2011.

Judge Bedonie has served the Navajo Nation court system since 1989 when he was confirmed as a probationary judge. He was appointed by Interim Chairman Leonard Haskie on April 27, 1989, recommended by the Judiciary Committee, and confirmed as a probationary district court judge on May 17, 1989.

Judge Bedonie completed the required two-year probationary term and was recommended for permanent appointment by then-Chief Justice Robert Yazzie and by the Judiciary Committee. President Peterson Zah issued a letter of permanent appointment to Judge Bedonie on October 12, 1992, and the Council voted to confirm his permanent appointment on October 21, 1992.

Judge Bedonie said he is retiring now because he feels he accomplished what he wanted during his term.  He said he will miss the relationship between the judge and the staff most. “I always had a good relationship with my staff,” he said.

Judge Bedonie said that often when judges make decisions, people come back and compliment them. “Contrary to what people say, that’s what happened to me,” he said.

 

He said that he was fortunate to be involved in the Navajo Nation court system. “The constant improvement of the court, that’s what I was involved in and that’s the most joy I got out of it,” he said about his service.

Bedonie has been serving as the district court judge at the Chinle Judicial District for nearly eight years. He has also served as a judge at the Window Rock, Tuba City and Kayenta Judicial Districts. Bedonie has worked for the Navajo Nation for a total of 36 years. In addition to his judgeship, he has been a police officer and the director of the Navajo Division of Public Safety. He has also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Chinle Unified School District.

 Bedonie graduated from Chinle High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University. He completed course work toward a Master of Arts degree in public administration at NAU.

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Navajo District Court Judge Leroy S. Bedonie to retire