THE DALLES — Circuit Court Judge John A. Wolf was appointed to serve as the next presiding judge of Oregon’s Seventh Judicial District on Dec. 3, assuming the reins from Judge Karen Ostrye, who has held the position since 2022.
Wolf, appointed by Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan A. Flynn, has served on the bench since 2011. Before his election, he practiced law privately in The Dalles and served as a pro tem judge for The Dalles Municipal Court. In addition to his judicial duties, Wolf is the president-elect of the Oregon Circuit Court Judges’ Association, a member of the Judicial Conference Conduct Committee and has served on the Council on Court Procedures.
As presiding judge, he will oversee the district’s judicial administration, including participation in court, county and public safety committees.
He will also supervise the trial court administrator while continuing to perform his regular judicial duties: reviewing warrants and conducting hearings/trials.
The Seventh Judicial District has four elected judges who preside over circuit court cases in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler counties, nominated by fellow judges in the district and formally appointed by the Chief Justice, who considers input from other justices within the Oregon Supreme Court.
Wolf will continue to preside over a wide range of cases, including civil, probate, family law, juvenile, small claims, violations and criminal matters across all five counties. He also oversees the district’s Family Treatment Court.
Commented