Prosecutor named Bingham County magistrate

The Seventh Judicial District’s Magistrate Commission has selected Bingham County Prosecutor Cleve Colson to be the next Bingham County Magistrate Judge.

Sitting Judge Ryan Boyer will retire from the post on January 31.

Administrative District Judge Joel Tingey announced the appointment Friday. Tingey said he and the Magistrate Commission were confident the people of Bingham County and the Seventh Judicial District would be well-served by Colson.

Colson has served as the elected Prosecutor for Bingham County, Idaho since 2013. Prior to that, Colson served as the Assistant Chief Deputy in the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office from 2005 to 2013. Colson obtained his undergraduate degree from Idaho State University in 2002 and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Idaho Law School in 2005. He has previously served as a Board Member for the Idaho Prosecuting Attorney’s Association and currently serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee of Eastern Idaho Partnership.

Upon appointment, magistrates serve an 18-month probation, after which they stand for retention election in the county in which they are seated. If retained in that election, the judge will serve a four-year term.

Others considered for the post were Manuel Murdoch, and Brendan Taylor of Blackfoot and Nicholas Staley of Pocatello.