KINGWOOD — A packed courtroom gathered Friday afternoon for the swearing in and investiture ceremony of new Preston Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer.
Shaffer was elected May 8 to fill the remaining six years in Judge Lawrance Miller Jr.’s term. Miller retired and is now a senior status judge.
The legal community, law enforcement, supporters and family were all represented at what attorney Paul Estep, Shaffer’s partner in private practice, said was a bittersweet occasion.
Shaffer advocated for justice as an attorney, and will find, “dispensing justice will be every bit as noble and a whole lot harder,” as a judge, Estep predicted.
Shaffer’s wife of 44 years, Bev, helped him don his robe for the first time on Friday. Judge Miller said he shares U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s belief that the simple black robe worn by all judges in the U.S. symbolizes upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
Miller shared with Shaffer advice given him by Preston Senior Status Judge Robert Halbritter, when Miller took the bench. It came from a 1961 American Bar Association pamphlet called “Ten Commandments for the New Judge.”
They are: Be kind, be patient, be dignified, don’t take yourself too seriously, remember that a lazy judge is a poor judge, remember there are no unimportant cases, don’t impose long sentences unless you have to, don’t forget your common sense and pray for divine guidance.
Senior Status Judge Larry Starcher said it has been his pleasure to fill in some since Miller retired and reiterated Miller’s remarks that the court staff is a great help to a judge. Starcher said Preston County has always been known for the quality of its judges, mentioning Miller, Judge Neil Reed and Halbritter.
Shaffer said he was “very humbled by the citizens of Preston County choosing me to be their judge.” He thanked God for opening one door when another closed.
The youngest of 10 children of a Tunnelton coal miner, he praised his family for teaching him a good work ethic and loving one another. He also thanked James Willey, Ron Brown, David Brown, Judge Reed, Wes Metheney, Estep, their office staff and all those who helped him get elected.
The courtroom is “the only place where we are all equal, regardless of our race, color or financial status,” Shaffer said. He promised to maintain that “level playing field” and said, “If it ever comes a time I can’t give everybody an equal playing field, I will walk away.”
Shaffer’s grandchildren, Addison and Owen Shaffer, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at the ceremony, and Karen Bright sang the national anthem. The Rev. Gary Helms gave the benediction.
