Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Will Perkins invested as judge 101218
Will Perkins invested as judge 101218
Judge J.C. Robinson swears in Judge Will Perkins as Perkins' daughter Ruth holds the Bible.
Will Perkins invested as judge 101218
Maria Perkins helps her husband Will into his robe.
Will Perkins invested as judge 101218
Perkins speaks from the heart
Will Perkins invested as judge 101218
The Perkins family, including Will and Maria, sons Hyrum, Seth, Milton and Benson, and his daughter Ruth, his mother Carolyn and father Tim Perkins and his sister Susan Perkins.
Sixth Judicial Judge Jared Hofacket moderated the event. "Will Perkins is a well-respected attorney and will be a well-respected judge."
County Commissioner Billy Billings gave the invocation thanking God for this day and life in "our free and prosperous country. Today is a good day for those who work in law. May they continue to interpret the law fairly and impartially. Bless his family and bless all of us."
Sixth Judicial District Judge J.C. Robinson said it was a pleasure for him to know Will. "I know he will do a good job. This is an important day for him and his family."
Perkins' daughter Ruth held the Bible as Robinson swore Perkins into the judgeship.
Hofacket introduced Judge William Perkins to those gathered in the courtroom.
Perkins thanked his wife, Maria. "My parents [who were present] taught me hard work and to always show kindness and fairness to all. I thank the local members of the bar in Grant County and Luna County and the members of my law firm. I appreciate the members of the community that are supportive of me. It's a great place to practice law and learn law. The owner of one of the title companies sat me down and taught me real estate law. I'm glad I've been able to be a part of this community."
He wondered if others knew why the ceremony was called an investiture, so he looked the word up in the dictionary. "Investiture means to confer rank or authority and dress in a robe. It comes from the courts of New Mexico and the laws of New Mexico."
"This robe is a lot like that the badge a sheriff wears," Perkins said. "This robe symbolizes the authority that comes over time and has to be earned. It's what creates respect and confidence. A judge has to be of good character, have knowledge and integrity, provide sharpness when needed, but not by attacking. A judge should have meekness, which is not weakness."
He quoted from Oliver Cromwell: "I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken." Perkins said Cromwell had said it should be "writ over very school, courthouse and legislature.
Perkins also gave a definition of work as in anything that takes work to be successful. Being a judge takes hard work, studying and reading.
"There are two sides to being a judge, the law and facts," Perkins said. "A judge has to commit to work to make sure all are heard and the judge does the work to make sure he is making the right decision. I will exercise my authority appropriately, and I will do the work. God bless America and the great state of New Mexico."
Hofacket said the judges appreciate having someone willing to do the hard work of being a judge.
Those gathered went downstairs and mingled with the new judge, his family and other community members over a table full of baked goods.