Charles F. McDevitt

Charles Francis McDevitt (January 5, 1932 – May 29, 2021) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist. He was a justice of the Idaho Supreme Court from 1989 to 1997, serving as chief justice from 1993 to 1997.

Charles McDevitt
Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court
In office 1993–1997
Preceded by	Robert Bakes
Succeeded by	Linda Copple Trout
Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court
In office August 31, 1989 – August 31, 1997
Appointed by	Cecil Andrus
Preceded by	Allan Shepard
Succeeded by	Jesse Walters
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
In office 1963–1966
Personal details
Born	January 5, 1932 Pocatello, Idaho, U.S.
Died	May 29, 2021(2021-05-29) (aged 89) Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Education	University of Idaho (LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	U.S. Army
Years of service	1952–54
Rank	Corporal
Battles/wars	Cold War

Early life and education

Born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, McDevitt graduated from Pocatello High School and attended Idaho State College for a year. He transferred to the University of Idaho in Moscow, then served in the U.S. Army for two years, returned to the U of I in 1954, and received his LL.B degree from its College of Law in 1956.^[1][2]

Career

McDevitt practiced law in Boise and was general counsel for Boise Cascade from 1962 to 1968. In 1962, he was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives and was re-elected in 1964. He left the legislature in 1966 to become president of Beck Industries in New York City. He also worked as an executive at the Singer Corporation before returning to Boise, where he joined the Ada County Prosecutor's Office as a trial attorney.^[1][3]

In August 1989, McDevitt was appointed to the Idaho Supreme Court by Governor Cecil Andrus; the seat was vacated by the death of Allan Shepard in May.^[1][4][5]

Following his retirement from the court in 1997, McDevitt served on an ethics panel convened by the state legislature.^[6]

Death

McDevitt died in Boise in 2021 at the age of 89.^[7]