Montpelier
Scott named Judge Karen Russell Carroll to fill the seat on the state Supreme Court that will be vacated by Justice John Dooley at the end of this month. Carroll will be appointed on April 1.
Carroll has had a lengthy career in Vermont, as both a prosecutor and on the bench — including presiding over an unusual case in which a sharply divided state Supreme Court later overturned the conviction because of her conduct.
A Vermont native, Carroll has been a Superior Court judge since 2000, presiding over divisions in Windham, Windsor and Bennington counties since then. She was the first presiding judge in Vermont’s only DUI Treatment Court, which is in Windsor County.
Before she joined the bench, she worked in the Attorney General’s Office and as a deputy state’s attorney.
In a statement, Scott said he takes the responsibility of appointing a new Supreme Court justice “very seriously.”
“Among a pool of very strong and capable candidates, Judge Carroll distinguished herself based on her depth of experience, character, integrity, and — most importantly — understanding and application of the law,” Scott said.
At a news conference on Thursday, Scott said “a lot of attributes” led him to select Carroll from a pool of eight candidates.
He said he did not weigh the fact that she was initially appointed a judge by Democratic Gov. Howard Dean, nor did he consider her politics.
“There was no litmus test as to whether you’re Republican or Democrat,” Scott said. “It was more about the talent and your competency.”
“I’m honored by Gov. Scott’s confidence in me, and I’m really looking forward to serving the state in this role,” Carroll said.
She said she had thought about being a judge since she was in law school and began practicing as an attorney. She later began thinking about joining the state’s high court once she was on the bench.
Carroll needs to be confirmed by the Senate.
Scott named his pick to the court several months after a Vermont Supreme Court case confirmed it was his responsibility to select Dooley’s successor.
Dooley in September announced his intention to retire when his current term expires at the end of March.
Then-Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, began the process of selecting Dooley’s replacement but was blocked by a challenge brought by House and Senate Republican leaders.
The high court in 2010 weighed a matter involving Carroll when a criminal case in Windham County she presided over was appealed over questions about her role.
According to court documents, a 2008 trial case was delayed due to the defendant’s health. When his health appeared poised to further delay proceedings the next day, there was some thought that he may have been malingering. Questions arose over Carroll’s decision to reach out to a pharmacist and to guards involved in the transportation of the defendant for information.