Wayne County Resident Circuit Judge Michael J. Molt has announced his retirement. Judge Molt was elected to the bench in 2014 and retained in 2020. His last day of service will be November 30.

Judge Molt is a 1966 graduate of Fairfield Community High School. He attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in accounting in 1971, and earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1974. Judge Molt has worked as an attorney and law partner in various capacities in Fairfield over the years, including as an attorney with Marshall, Feiger, Robinson, and Quindry, as a Trust Officer for the Wayne County Bank and Trust Company, and as a sole practitioner.

Judge Molt served the judiciary presiding over complex legal cases in Wayne County and across the Second Circuit throughout his tenure until December 2023, when he took a medical leave of absence. Commenting on his retirement, Judge Molt stated, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Resident Circuit Judge of Wayne County, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the bench serving in that capacity. It was my hope and desire to complete my term in office which concludes in 2026; however, my current health situation is such that I am unable to do so. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Chief Judge Melissa Morgan and to the many judges that have covered my docket while I have been on medical leave. I further want to extend my gratitude to the voters of Wayne County who elected me to the position of Resident Circuit Judge of Wayne County, as it has truly been an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan shared her thoughts on Judge Molt’s announcement adding, “Judge Molt’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law has earned him the respect and admiration of all who have had the privilege of appearing before him. He has always approached his service on the bench with a sense of responsibility and care, and his dedication to justice and fairness has left an indelible mark on those of us who have had the honor of working alongside him. On behalf of the Judges of the Second Judicial Circuit, we wish him continued healing as he embarks on this new chapter of his life and happiness in his well-deserved retirement.”