By Shavonne Potts

Salisbury Post

A humbled and appreciative Marshall Bickett stood beside his wife, Terri, as he was sworn in Thursday as Rowan County’s newly appointed District Court judge.

Newly elected Superior Court Judge John L. Holshouser Jr. administered the oath of office to Bickett, who has enjoyed a 30-year legal career beginning in his home county of Rowan.

Gov. Mike Easley appointed Bickett two weeks ago. The General Assembly last year approved 17 additional District Court judgeships in designated districts across the state.

Also in attendance at the ceremony, which took place in the Superior Courtroom, were many of Bickett’s former colleagues; Rowan’s four other District Court judges, who were sworn in earlier this month; family; and other court personnel.

After taking his oath, Bickett thanked everyone for supporting him. “From the bottom of my heart, I really thank all of y’all for coming here,” he said.

Following the ceremony, those gathered individually gave Bickett their well wishes and congratulations. He even took a moment to pose for a picture with his mother, Edith Bickett.

Terri Bickett said she was thrilled for her husband.

“He’s so moved and humbled to be in his native county to work with his fellow citizens,” she said.

Bickett said his appointment really meant a lot to him.

“I’ve been blessed to have this job,” he said.

The couple said they spent a lot of time praying about the new position. “We felt God would direct his path,” Terri Bickett said.

Bickett’s sister, Sylvia, and her husband, Joel Butler, also attended Thursday’s ceremony, as well as his mother-in-law, Maelene Andrewlavage.

Bickett said he will spend at least a week learning from Chief District Court Judge Charlie Brown and attend an ethics seminar today.

He will complete a couple of weeks at judges’ school, offered by the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In the past few of days, Bickett has been in court reassigning more than 200 cases to other attorneys before he can preside as judge. He expects he’ll need two to four weeks before taking the bench.

The District Court assignment calendar is being amended to include Bickett. He should begin on the March-April rotation. He will serve a four-year term.

***

Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost.com.