Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Bevan to Retire

Bevan's retirement will cap a four-decade legal career and nearly six years leading Idaho's highest court.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:57pm

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A serene, dimly lit painting of an empty courtroom with wooden benches and high ceilings, casting long shadows across the space and conveying a sense of solemnity and transition.The impending retirement of Idaho's Supreme Court Chief Justice signals a changing of the guard for the state's highest judicial body.Twin Falls Today

Idaho Supreme Court Justice G. Richard Bevan will retire from the Court this October. His retirement will cap a four-decade legal career culminating in nearly six years leading Idaho's highest court. Bevan has led treatment courts, was the first state judge in Idaho to pilot electronic court records, and became a significant voice for the security of courtrooms and the safety of those who conduct business in them amid a nationwide increase in threats against judges.

Why it matters

Bevan's retirement will create an opening on the Idaho Supreme Court, which will allow Gov. Brad Little to appoint a new justice from a list of applicants provided by the Idaho Judicial Council. The new justice will serve the rest of Bevan's term, which ends in January 2031, before a nonpartisan election for the next six-year term is held in May 2030.

The details

Bevan was born and raised in Twin Falls, Idaho. He studied at Brigham Young University, where he obtained his law degree in 1987, and returned to Twin Falls to spend 16 years in legal practice. Appointed as a district judge in 2003, he presided over two treatment courts and served for eight years as the administrative district judge, overseeing the operations of courts across south-central Idaho. Twin Falls County was the first to adopt the electronic case management system that Idaho's state courts use today, and Chief Justice Bevan was the first judge to use it as it rolled out statewide. His experience led to his appointment to the Idaho Supreme Court in 2017, and four years later, his fellow justices chose him to lead the Court as chief justice.

  • Bevan will retire from the Idaho Supreme Court on October 30, 2026.
  • Bevan has served as Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court since 2021.

The players

G. Richard Bevan

The retiring Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court, who has led the court for nearly six years after a four-decade legal career.

Brad Little

The Governor of Idaho, who will appoint a new justice to the Idaho Supreme Court from a list of applicants provided by the Idaho Judicial Council.

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What’s next

Gov. Brad Little will appoint a new justice to the Idaho Supreme Court from a list of applicants provided by the Idaho Judicial Council. The new justice will serve the rest of Bevan's term, which ends in January 2031, before a nonpartisan election for the next six-year term is held in May 2030.

The takeaway

Bevan's retirement from the Idaho Supreme Court after nearly six years as Chief Justice marks the end of a distinguished legal career spanning four decades. His replacement will be appointed by the governor, shaping the future direction of the state's highest court.