Cobb County State Court Judge David Darden, 62, said Friday in an interview that he plans to retire from the bench April 30, return to the practice of law with the well-known Marietta firm of Downey & Cleveland and take on a new role assisting those returning to society from prison.

Darden said it was not an easy decision to leave the court where he has served for the past 18 years and the colleagues he so admires. The court handles misdemeanor crimes and complex civil litigation, including high-stakes wrongful death and product liability disputes. It’s been an especially rewarding jurisdiction, he said, and many people have asked him why he’s leaving now.