By MELISSA KLARIC
Herald Staff Writer Dec 20, 2020
Dec 20, 2020
Mercer County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Robert G. Yeatts poses for a portrait at the Mercer County Courthouse. TANNER MONDOK | Herald
MERCER â Nothing was normal during Robert G. Yeattsâ term as president judge of Mercer County Court of Common Pleas.
âThatâs been my story,â Yeatts said. âIn two years, Iâve had two good months.â
Yeatts, 64, will be retiring after his first 10-year term as a common pleas judge expires at the end of 2021. He was elected in 2011.
Yeatts will be pursuing senior judge status, even though a common pleas judge in Pennsylvania can serve until the age of 75. A senior judge can be called to serve the court for 10 days a month, unless there are special circumstances.
Robert Yeatts is sworn in as Mercer County s new District Judge. Jason Kapusta/Herald
MERCERÂ â The countyâs senior judge announced Tuesday that he will step down after his term ends next year.
Mercer County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Robert G. Yeatts said he will not seek retention re-election for a second term. Under state law, county common pleas court judges serve 10-year terms before standing for retention elections, where voters can retain or reject them.
Yeatts was elected in 2011 in a campaign where he pledged to serve only one term.
He has been the countyâs president judge since January of 2018, after the retirement of former President Judge Thomas R. Dobson. Yeatts plans to file for senior judge status when his term ends next year. Senior judges are called as needed to serve local court needs.