Alan D. Lancaster is the new Fifth District Circuit Court judge, following his Tuesday swearing in at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
Judge Joseph Loper swore in Lancaster before a courtroom filled with Lancaster’s family, friends, officials from the state, across Montgomery County and the district.
“The office of judge dates back to Biblical times, where we find in Deuteronomy 16:18 that God instructed Moses, ‘You shall appoint judges and officials throughout the tribe… to make just decisions for the people. That’s what this is all about, doing justice for the people,” said Loper. “Since 1880, if my calculations in history are correct and from what I’ve seen, 19 people have served Circuit Judge in the Fifth Circuit Court District. Today, Devo becomes the 20th person to have that title. As judge, I’ve had the pleasure of serving alongside four different individuals, and I’m looking forward to serving alongside Lancaster.”
Loper went on to say, “Everything I know about Lancaster tells me he has the education, experience, intelligence, training, temperament and humility to be an outstanding judge. Devo, I just want to say welcome to the fraternity.”
Lancaster ran for the Fifth Circuit Court judge after Judge George Mitchell’s death led to the vacant seat.
Mitchell’s daughter, Mandy Mitchell Davis, spoke on behalf of her family and herself in showing appreciation for the prayers and acts of kindness shown to the family after Mitchell’s death.
“Losing my father unexpectedly last April left a huge void in our lives, but I’m comforted to know that so many of you felt the same way during this time,” said Davis.
She said, like her father, she believes Lancaster will uphold the duties of his newly elected office with fairness, integrity and respect.
“The qualities of a good judge as noted by former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in his book Scalia Speaks are the following: First, a judge must be, above all else, a servant of the law,” said Davis.
She said a good judge must suppress his personal views and follow the law.
“The second quality is referred to as scholarship, and by this means, that resolving the cases according to the law. The judge must be led to his answer by following the framework for neutral decision-making that is dictated by the traditions of the legal system in which he operates,” said Davis. “The third quality is an appropriate demeanor that projects to the parties and to the public fairness and impartiality and even-handed demeanor.”
Davis said she believes Lancaster possesses all of the qualities as his career has proven.
“His tenure career in the legal system as a lawyer and municipal judge has prepared him for the job at hand,” said Davis.
After swearing the oath on his mother’s Bible and receiving his new gavel from his wife, Rosemary, Lancaster expressed his appreciation to everyone present and those unable to attend, sharing his victory with each of them.
He specifically thanked Judge Loper, his wife and daughter, Leslie, and Amanda Sexton Ferguson.
He said during his campaign, he made four promises to voters of the district, including deciding all cases fairly.
“I promise to follow the law as written. I promise to treat everyone with dignity and respect and to conduct my office with diligence and integrity,” said Lancaster. “I hereby renew those promises here today.”
As the ceremony drew to an end, Lancaster shared Micah 6:8, the verse that became the cornerstone of his campaign.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
