Hicks chosen to be new magistrate

George G. Hicks, a former Elmore County lawyer, has been appointed as the new magistrate judge of the Fourth Judicial District for Elmore County.

Hicks replaces Aaron Bazzoli, who was terminated from his position on the bench by the state judicial commisison earlier this year after less than a year in office.

He will assume his position on the bench on Sept. 5. He was selected from 12 candidates who applied for the position.

Hicks was raised in Mountain Home, the son of Frank and Barbara Hicks. His father, Frank, recently retired from the practice of law after 50 years.

Hicks has practiced law since 1980, starting as Elmore County Public Defender, a position in which he served until 1984. He was a principal in the Hicks Law Office in Mountain Home with his father until 1987, when he took a position as a Deputy City Attorney for Boise City until 2000. He was a founding member of Hoagland, Dominick & Hicks, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, in Boise, until his appointment as judge.

"His experience as a former public defender, prosecutor and his civil practice provides a well rounded background for service as a judge," said Larry Reiner, state trial court administrator.

Hicks received his Bachelor of Political Science degree at the University of Idaho in 1976 and his Juris Doctorate from the College of Law in 1980. He is admitted before the bar of the Idaho Supreme Court and the Federal District Court.

He also has served as Adjunct Professor of Business Law for Park University at Mountain Home Air Force Base. He has given continuing legal education conferences on the topic of Development Impact Fees and Public Records law. He has been published in the quarterly newsletter of the Idaho State Bar Real Property Section, for which he has also served as chairman in 2001-02,

Hicks served three years as School Board Trustee for School District 193. He also served on the Boards of several non-profit organizations including Parents Anonymous, the Parish Council at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Community Youth Connection, and the Terrace Lakes Property Owners Association.

George and his wife, Mary Ann, blended their families in 1989 and have four children -- George's daughters Emily and Kaitlyn and Mary Ann's sons Paul and Thomas.