Fort Smith-native judge retires after 32 years

FORT SMITH — An Oklahoma judge is retiring after 32 years on the bench.

LeFlore County Associate District Judge Ted Knight, a native of Fort Smith, will retire at the end of the month.

The Southwest Times Record reported that the 64-year-old Knight became interested in law while taking a political science class at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., which was taught by an attorney.

In a telephone interview, Knight said drug court has been the most rewarding part of his judicial career, which included providing assistance to Sebastian and Crawford counties in Arkansas in starting their drug court programs. Knight has agreed to continue presiding over drug court for six months until a replacement is found.

Knight said cases involving children were the most difficult to deal with.

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