The elevation of a local veteran prosecutor to the bench sends ripples through the Mohave County legal system. County attorney Matt Smith hangs a help wanted sign on his door as he looks to replace Megan McCoy, the 13 year office veteran who fills a newly established Court Commission judicial position starting August 5.
Presiding Judge Charles Gurtler is making some case assignment adjustments within the county’s judiciary team. McCoy will inherit some of the dependency, child support, juvenile delinquency and arraignment responsibilities currently handled by County Commissioner Doug Camacho.
Gurtler said that the three county judges handling criminal matters—the Honorable Rick Lambert, Derek Carlisle and Billy Sipe—have overwhelming caseloads. He has decided that Camacho will take a portion of their cases when McCoy assumes many of his duties on August 5.
Additionally Judge Eric Gordon is relocating to Kingman from Lake Havasu City, while the Honorable Kenneth Gregory will switch from Kingman to Lake Havasu.