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Judge Al Dover
After 20 years with the Nevada County Superior Court, Judge Albert P. Dover announced Friday he will retire.
"The administrators and employees with whom I have been honored to work have been and are a credit to this court and community," Dover wrote in a letter Tuesday announcing his retirement to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Because of their superior professionalism, work ethic and compassion, our court provides a level of service unsurpassed anywhere in this state, and I would venture to say, in the country."
Dover retires at 5 p.m. Feb. 19, 2007. The next morning, at 9:15 a.m., he will be on a plane to Panama with his wife, Lynne, for a five-week vacation.
"I've never been there," Dover said Friday. "I've been to Costa Rica, but never Panama. I'm looking forward to it."
Dover started Adult Drug Court in the late '90s and Juvenile Drug Court in 2001.
He said alternative courts cut down on recidivism and force offenders to be accountable.
"The administrators and employees with whom I have been honored to work have been and are a credit to this court and community," Dover wrote in a letter Tuesday announcing his retirement to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Because of their superior professionalism, work ethic and compassion, our court provides a level of service unsurpassed anywhere in this state, and I would venture to say, in the country."
Dover retires at 5 p.m. Feb. 19, 2007. The next morning, at 9:15 a.m., he will be on a plane to Panama with his wife, Lynne, for a five-week vacation.
"I've never been there," Dover said Friday. "I've been to Costa Rica, but never Panama. I'm looking forward to it."
Dover started Adult Drug Court in the late '90s and Juvenile Drug Court in 2001.
He said alternative courts cut down on recidivism and force offenders to be accountable.
"Alternative courts are truly the opposite of coddling criminals," Dover said Friday. "It makes them accountable because they have to come in and answer our questions about what they're doing. It's far more labor intensive, and it's all about behavior modification. That's why Drug Court works. You have a whole team of people caring about the outcome of one person's case."
Nevada County Judge-elect Tom Anderson said he admires Dover as a role model.
"He's one of those judges who runs a firm courtroom, yet has an understanding and compassion of such depth," Anderson said. "It's hard to find that in people. Whatever the issue is, he seems to get it."
Dover respected everyone who appeared before him in the courtroom, including victims, defendants and lawyers, Anderson said.
Dover moved to Nevada City in 1980 to be with his wife, whom he met while on vacation in Big Sur on California's central coast. Before that, he worked as an attorney in Tucson, Ariz.
In addition to falling in love with his wife, Dover fell for Nevada City's charm.
"People from all over the world choose to live here," he said, "where the beauty of the seasons and a rural lifestyle mix with dynamic culture on display in the lively theater and music scene."
Nevada County Judge-elect Tom Anderson said he admires Dover as a role model.
"He's one of those judges who runs a firm courtroom, yet has an understanding and compassion of such depth," Anderson said. "It's hard to find that in people. Whatever the issue is, he seems to get it."
Dover respected everyone who appeared before him in the courtroom, including victims, defendants and lawyers, Anderson said.
Dover moved to Nevada City in 1980 to be with his wife, whom he met while on vacation in Big Sur on California's central coast. Before that, he worked as an attorney in Tucson, Ariz.
In addition to falling in love with his wife, Dover fell for Nevada City's charm.
"People from all over the world choose to live here," he said, "where the beauty of the seasons and a rural lifestyle mix with dynamic culture on display in the lively theater and music scene."
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors appointed Dover to the bench in 1987.
He worked in every facet the court, hearing family, civil and criminal cases. He now handles civil cases in courtroom No. 6, the "prettiest courtroom," as he calls it.
The courtroom is on the top floor of the courthouse and boasts high ceilings and windows with velvet drapes.
Dover's judicial assistant, Hilary Burget, said her boss will be missed around the courthouse.
"I have the highest respect for him," Burget said. "I think he is a quick-witted, brilliant man of great integrity."
Dover's seat on the bench is the fourth to open up recently due to retirement. Within the last 18 months, judges Ersel Edwards, John Darlington and Carl Bryan II also announced their retirements.
Judge candidates vying to fill the seat left open by Bryan spent more than $300,000 in this year's primary and general election campaigns.
He worked in every facet the court, hearing family, civil and criminal cases. He now handles civil cases in courtroom No. 6, the "prettiest courtroom," as he calls it.
The courtroom is on the top floor of the courthouse and boasts high ceilings and windows with velvet drapes.
Dover's judicial assistant, Hilary Burget, said her boss will be missed around the courthouse.
"I have the highest respect for him," Burget said. "I think he is a quick-witted, brilliant man of great integrity."
Dover's seat on the bench is the fourth to open up recently due to retirement. Within the last 18 months, judges Ersel Edwards, John Darlington and Carl Bryan II also announced their retirements.
Judge candidates vying to fill the seat left open by Bryan spent more than $300,000 in this year's primary and general election campaigns.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will appoint Dover's successor.
After his vacation, Dover plans to participate in the Assigned Judges Program in which retired judges, appointed by the California Supreme Court Chief Justice, sit as judges anywhere in California at their discretion.
"I intend to do it for at least a year," he said.
In the closing of his letter to the governor, Dover wrote:
"I have played but a small role in the development and success of this court, but to end or reduce even the smallest amount of suffering experienced by those who trusted us with their problems, and to assist in bringing resolution through mediation or ruling has also brought me peace and satisfaction to last a lifetime."
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To contact Staff Writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail robynm@theunion.com or call 477-4236.
After his vacation, Dover plans to participate in the Assigned Judges Program in which retired judges, appointed by the California Supreme Court Chief Justice, sit as judges anywhere in California at their discretion.
"I intend to do it for at least a year," he said.
In the closing of his letter to the governor, Dover wrote:
"I have played but a small role in the development and success of this court, but to end or reduce even the smallest amount of suffering experienced by those who trusted us with their problems, and to assist in bringing resolution through mediation or ruling has also brought me peace and satisfaction to last a lifetime."
ooo
To contact Staff Writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail robynm@theunion.com or call 477-4236.
