Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti has announced his retirement.

A written statement from the state court system says Carpeneti will retire Jan. 31. His term as chief justice expires next month, and Justice Dana Fabe will serve as chief justice.

Gov. Jay Hammond appointed Carpeneti to the Juneau Superior Court in 1981. Gov. Tony Knowles appointed him to the Alaska Supreme Court in 1998. Carpeneti says he's given early notice of his retirement because the process to fill judicial openings is lengthy.