Three finalists have been named to fill the vacancy on the Ramsey County District Court bench.

They are Leonardo Castro, of White Bear Township, the managing attorney in the county's Public Defender's office in Maplewood; Mark P. Hodkinson, of Shoreview, an attorney and shareholder with the Bassford Remele law firm in Minneapolis, and Robyn A. Millenacker, of North Oaks, an assistant U.S. attorney in Minneapolis.

The Commission on Judicial Selection received 27 applications for the vacancy and sent the names of the three finalists to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who will make the appointment.

The vacancy was created by the retirement of District Judge Michael Fetsch.

PAT PHEIFER