In a courtroom filled with supporters, colleagues and family members, Judge Lisa P. Jones was sworn in Tuesday as Daviess County’s newest Circuit Court judge, replacing longtime Circuit Court Judge Joseph Castlen. Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton performed Jones’ swearing in ceremony.
The support for Jones was evident as the crowd gave a standing ovation after the swearing-in honors were conducted. Jones, who served as a Daviess County District Court judge from 2001 to 2019, was selected to replace Castlen as Circuit Court judge by the local bar and a committee of state leaders. Jones was the only candidate selected for the position during this November’s general election and was voted in by the residents of Daviess County.
Jones said she was surprised and humbled by the number of people who attended her swearing in.
“I’m overwhelmed by the turnout today and overwhelmed by the response from my colleagues on the bench, and I thank you all so much,” she said. “I have loved serving as your District Court judge.”
Jones called District Court judges “wonderful people” whom she believes have more day-to-day contact with the people of Kentucky than any other elected official.
“You see people day in and day out for everything from speeding tickets to when their spouse or a loved one has died,” she said. “You see so much of their day-to-day lives, sorrows and sufferings. When this opportunity arose, I felt like this was a calling to answer that, and to respond and carry on my love of service and my love of this community.”
After the ceremony, Castlen spoke highly of Jones in saying he had the utmost confidence in her ability to carry the torch, and that the two of them have seen eye-to-eye on many aspects of the courts system.
However, the thought of leaving the bench and retiring has been somewhat of a mental quagmire for Castlen, who said Tuesday that he loves his job so much, he doesn’t plan on giving it all up just yet.
“I certainly would have loved to stay on, but I know at some point, you’ve got to go” he said. “I’m well prepared to do that, and I’m going to continue filling in on vacancies.”
Much like his brother and retired Circuit Court Judge Tom Castlen, Castlen plans on filling vacancies across the state of Kentucky whenever and wherever he might be needed.
“I have plenty of things to do, but I keep wondering what I’m going to do,” he said. “I’ll fill in for Daviess County, but I’d be glad to move around. I’d love to go to northern Kentucky because I’ve got a couple of grandkids up there, and I’d love to see them. And I like to go to different places. I like to see how things are done in different courts, and I like to meet different people. I just enjoy things that are different.”
Though Castlen will stay plenty busy, he says he will still miss his job as a Daviess County Circuit Court judge.
“This job was not only challenging — it was very satisfying,” he said. “I was able, I think, to do some things to really help the community. I doubt there are very many callings like that. It’s a humbling experience, but a most enjoyable one too.”
