Randles named new Kootenai County magistrate judge

Kootenai County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Destry Randles has been appointed to the position of Kootenai County magistrate.

The Magistrate Commission of the First Judicial District announced Thursday it has appointed Randles to fill the vacancy that will be left by Kootenai County District Court Judge Tim Van Valin, who will retire July 31.

Two candidates — Randles and Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor Lisa Sheckler — were interviewed by the commission Thursday morning during interviews that were open to the public.

Randles moved to North Idaho from Montana in 1999. He has been a practicing attorney since 2015.

He will take the bench as magistrate Aug. 1. His resident chambers will be in Coeur d'Alene.