DELAWARE - Justice James T. Vaughn Jr. of the Delaware Supreme Court has announced he will step down from his position effective May 1, 2023.
According to the Delaware Supreme Court, Justice Vaughn sent a letter to Governor John Carney saying he will retire next year.
In his letter to the Governor, Justice Vaughn wrote, “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve since 1998 as a Superior Court judge and Supreme Court Justice. I will always appreciate the memories of working with my colleagues on the bench and with court staff in our efforts to maintain the rule of law in this state. I leave with a sense of satisfaction that I have done my best to discharge the duties of the judicial offices I have held.”
Justice Vaughn, 73, first joined the bench in 1998 as the Resident Judge for Kent County Superior Court. Later, he was elevated to the position of President Judge of Superior Court in 2004. Gov. Jack Markell then appointed him to the Supreme Court in October 2014.
Justice Vaughn served on the bench for 25 years. He is currently the longest-serving Justice on the Supreme Court.