Hendrixson Resigns as Judicial Commissioner

The county is in search of a new judicial commissioner.
The issue is expected to be discussed at Monday night’s county commission meeting.
Taft Hendrixson has resigned due to health reasons. The county had advertised the opening and received one applicant but she is a spouse of a Smithville police officer, which could be viewed as a conflict. Members of the judicial committee have apparently asked that the county re-advertise in hopes of getting more applicants for the position.
The county has had three judicial commissioners including Hendrixson, James Harvey Barnes, and Tammy Ashburn. They were appointed to the positions for a one year term last September as recommended by the judicial committee.
The judicial committee is made up of the General Sessions/Juvenile Court Judge, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, County Mayor, and a representative of the District Attorney General’s Office.
Judicial commissioners are responsible for the issuance of criminal arrest warrants upon finding probable cause. They are subject to call at all hours of the day and night. Judicial commissioners serve at the pleasure of the county commission and their terms of office can be one year to four years.