At 85, Judge Horn hangs up his magistrate’s robe
Magistrate Jim Horn of Delaware’s Justice of the Peace Court system retired from full-time duty Nov. 1. He started donning the black robe and taking the bench - primarily at Court 2 in Lewes - in 2004.
At 85, the Rehoboth Beach native is the oldest serving judge in the system. Though he will no longer be taking a regular schedule, as a senior judge, Horn says he still can be called upon to help out when vacations or other situations arise and a substitute magistrate is needed.
Friends, family and colleagues gathered at Rehoboth Beach Country Club recently to celebrate Horn’s retirement after 15 years, and his 85th birthday. Chief Magistrate Alan G. Davis thanked Horn for his dedicated service and his commitment to seeing that justice was served to the best of his ability.
“Judge Horn was always concerned that those who came before him received a proper hearing,” said Davis. “At the end of most of his trials, and after rendering a decision, he would make a point of asking the defendant: ‘How did I do? Do you think you received a fair shake?’”
Horn’s wife and sidekick for 58 years of marriage, Joan, said she expects her husband to continue to stay busy in his retirement. That’s not hard to imagine, especially considering he started his judicial career when most people have already retired.
