Judge Bernadette Sabra retiring

NEW BEDFORD — District Court Chief Justice Paul C. Dawley said he is hoping to name a new presiding judge of New Bedford District Court by the end of next week.

The appointment, if made then, will closely parallel the retirement of Judge Bernadette L. Sabra, the current presiding judge of New Bedford District Court, whose last official day is Jan. 11.

"I would like there to be a continuous appointment, not an interim appointment," Dawley said Thursday in an interview with The Standard-Times at the courthouse.

Dawley said he still has interviews to do before he makes his appointment, which is for five years. The interview process will continue over the next week and some people will be interviewed over the phone.

He and Judge Kathryn E. Hand, presiding judge of Barnstable District Court and the regional administrative justice for Region 1, interviewed between 25 and 30 people Thursday in a series of daylong interviews at the New Bedford courthouse. "We are gathering information to best educate Judge Hand and I as to the qualities people feel are best needed to serve this court," Dawley said.

The interviews were with court staff, attorneys and other stakeholders, he said. Region 1 includes the district courts in New Bedford, Barnstable, Edgartown, Fall River, Falmouth, Nantucket, Orleans, Plymouth and Wareham.

Dawley would not reveal who is under consideration to be presiding justice of the New Bedford court, saying he has promised those judges their interest in the position would be held in confidence.

"I can tell you that we are considering every judge in the region (Region 1), every judge in the court and every judge who lives in the area," he said. "Technically, there are no barriers whatsoever."

He said it is important that the new presiding judge have a strong sense of the New Bedford community. "The role of the court and a sense of the community" are essential, he said. "I think people will be pleased with whomever we select. The community will be well-served."

Several community volunteers have advocated for a new presiding judge who lives in Greater New Bedford.

New Bedford District Court is "extremely busy" and has some "serious criminal cases" that are complicated with mental health and substance abuse issues, Dawley said. "Now, we're asked to solve a problem," he said.

Dawley said the court's Drug Court program, which Sabra pioneered, will continue in her retirement. "Absolutely. It's a crucial part of the court and the community," Dawley said.

Dawley and Hand said they heard nothing but compliments about the court's staff and Sabra's stewardship of the court during their interviews. "We heard that the court has hardworking employees who care deeply about the work they do and how what they do affects the community," Dawley said. "This facility (because of its size) hampers their work."

They said they heard repeatedly how consistent and unflappable Sabra is. "She's beloved. Someone has big shoes to fill," Dawley said.

"I think there is no replacing her," Hand said.