SAN ANTONIO – Judge Andrew Carruthers, the longest-serving judge in Bexar County, will retire at the end of this month, concluding a historic 35-year tenure as the county’s first criminal magistrate judge.
Appointed in 1989, when the state created the role, Carruthers has been a judge longer than any of the elected county or district court judges have been licensed.
“I love my job, and that’s why I stayed so long, but it’s time,” said Carruthers, now 79. “I’m older than everybody else here.”
Watch his full interview with KSAT below:
When Carruthers first took the bench, his role lacked a blueprint. Appointed by criminal district court judges, he worked with only a two-person staff — himself and a clerk — without a courtroom or court reporter.
Over the years, Carruthers oversaw more than 600,000 cases, with a significant number involving mental health and competency issues. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping the magistrate court’s operations statewide.
“We had to dig it out and figure it out for ourselves,” he said. “There weren’t seminars to give you training in this area back then. And we have a fairly effective system in place at this point.”
Despite his readiness to retire, Carruthers admits he will miss the people he has worked with, including defendants whose lives he has impacted.
“I still have annual reviews on a couple of people I started with in 1989 who are now in hospitals,” he reflected.
Last week, dignitaries from all over the county and state got together for a retirement celebration and to reveal his portrait.
As for retirement plans, Carruthers said he plans to play golf but expressed pride in the legacy he leaves behind.
“This has been one of the most enjoyable jobs I’ve ever had, and I hope that what we did here had some impact in a positive way,” he said.
Carruthers’ departure marks the end of an era for Bexar County’s judiciary, with his career serving as a testament to dedication and leadership in public service.