Judge John N. Prevas

The Baltimore Sun reports the tragic news that John N. Prevas died at Mercy Hospital last night, reportedly (not by the Sun) of a heart attack. Judge Prevas has been the chief judge of the Baltimore Circuit Court since 1986.

He was known as a judge who would let you try your case but was a stickler on the rules of evidence. Judge Prevas did not pretend to know laws that he didn’t know and was often willing to look for the answer immediately to get it right.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the 63-year-old judge was born in Baltimore and graduated from City College. Judge Prevas received his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and his law degree from Maryland. Before taking the bench, he was an assistant state’s attorney.

It is a sad loss not only for his family but for the Maryland legal community, as well.