US Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby Stepping Down From Bench

Montana's first female federal judge has announced her resignation from the bench.

The Billings Gazette reports that U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby of Billings, who is also the state's longest serving full-time magistrate judge, submitted her letter of resignation Tuesday.

The 64-year-old judge says she had been on the job 14 years and is looking to pursue something new. Her resignation takes effect Dec. 1.

Magistrate judges are appointed by a majority of the district court judges. Full-time magistrate judges serve eight-year terms. Ostby will be stepping down two years short of her second term.

Ostby was appointed in February 2002 and began working in Great Falls before relocating to Billings in 2007.