Eight candidates seek appointment as Bingham County magistrate judge

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Seventh Judicial District Magistrates Commission has announced the names of eight qualified applicants seeking appointment as a magistrate judge in Bingham County. One applicant will replace Magistrate Judge Scott H. Hansen, who will retire effective Jan. 10, 2027.

According to Seventh Judicial District Trial Court Administrator Alayne Bean, the commission is scheduled to meet in Bingham County on Oct. 15, 2026, to select Hansen's successor.

The candidates are:

• Jason Chandler, Deputy Attorney General with the Idaho Attorney General's Office in Blackfoot.
• W. Forrest Fischer, attorney with Moulton Law Office in Idaho Falls.
• Lee J. Fisher, chief deputy prosecutor with the Elmore County Prosecutor's Office in Glenns Ferry.
• Lou G. Harris, chief deputy prosecutor with the Bonneville County Prosecutor's Office in Rigby.
• Jessalyn R. Hopkin, Trial Attorney III with the Idaho State Public Defender's Office in Chubbuck.
• Desiree Martin, staff attorney for the Seventh Judicial District Court in Rexburg.
• N. Paul Rogers, prosecutor and private practice attorney serving with the Custer County Prosecutor's Office, Bingham County Prosecutor's Office on civil matters, and Rogers Law PLLC in Blackfoot.
• Garrett H. Sandow, attorney with the Law Office of Garrett Sandow in Blackfoot.

As part of the selection process, evaluation questionnaires will be distributed to attorneys throughout Idaho. Members of the public also have an opportunity to provide input on the applicants through public comment questionnaires.

Questionnaires may be obtained from the county clerk's office of any district court within the Seventh Judicial District, from the Seventh Judicial District Trial Court Administrator's Office, or online through the district's Judicial Vacancies webpage.

Completed public comment questionnaires must be returned to the Trial Court Administrator's Office by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

The magistrate judgeship became available following Hansen's announcement that he will retire after serving on the bench. The magistrates commission will review attorney and public evaluations before making its appointment decision in October.

Additional information about the vacancy and public comment process is available on the Seventh Judicial District Judicial Vacancies webpage at isc.idaho.gov/district-7/about/vacancies.