By Michael Pineda
mpineda@yahoo.com
Citing health concerns, District Judge Dennis Morris has announced his intention to retire from the bench.
Morris made the announcement in a press release Friday afternoon after meeting with staff at the Carter County Courthouse earlier in the day.
The statement read:
After more than 14 years as a District Judge for the Twentieth Judicial District serving Carter County, I am announcing my retirement from the bench, effective September 1,2025. This decision to retire is not driven by personal choice, but rather by necessity, due to a recent health concern.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Carter, Johnston, Love, Marshall, and Murray Counties for the privilege and honor of serving as their District Judge, Office 1, Carter County. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served and the trust and support I’ve received through these years.
I especially want to thank everyone that I have worked with on a daily basis, I could not have done it without each of you. Thank you all.
Respectfully,
Dennis Morris
Morris was sworn as the District Judge for Oklahoma District 20 after defeating incumbent District Judge Thomas Walker in a general election in November 2010.
Prior to serving as the district judge, he practiced law mainly in Carter, Love and Stephens counties.
With Morris’ decision to retire, the Judicial Nominating Commission will seek applicants to fill the office. After a review process, three nominees will be sent to the governor’s office for his consideration.
The JNC states that under Article 7B, Section 4 of the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor will have 60 days to appoint an individual to the position. If he does not do so, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will make the appointment.
