Judge Kittel sworn in
Douglas County's new judge officially takes the bench today. Enlarge video
Douglas County District Court Judge Kittel
Saying she hopes to stay with the position until she retires, Peggy Carr Kittel took the oath of office Wednesday morning and became the county's newest district judge.
"It's really my final career goal, so it feels real good to have achieved it," Kittel said.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on March 31 selected Kittel to replace Stephen Six, who became Kansas attorney general in January. Both Kittel and Six are Lawrence residents and Kansas University graduates.
Kittel had served as judge pro tem here since 2001, and before she worked as a prosecutor in Douglas County and Wyandotte County. She also worked in private practice for the Lawrence law firm Allen, Cooley & Allen, now Gilliland & Hayes.
Now her jurisdiction expands, as Kittel will preside in the Division VI courtroom, including for jury trials. During her speech in the packed courtroom, Kittel recognized the work of several court agencies and staffers.
"There's just a huge group of people that are very dedicated, and I think often their work goes unrecognized," she said.
Kittel also thanked the Douglas County Commission for funding the pro tem position and paying for recent courtroom renovations.
Six, who attended the ceremony, said Kittel's experience as a lawyer and pro tem judge will allow her to hit the ground running as a district judge.
"It's just an exciting day for the county to get another really high-qualified judge. We have a terrific bench here in Douglas County, and getting her as an addition to that group is a great thing," he said.
As District Judge Robert Fairchild administered the oath of office, Kittel's husband, Rick, and her son, Jim, 13, joined her at the front of the courtroom. Several other family members, including her parents, Joe and Marianne Carr, of Lenexa, attended the ceremony with about 100 other people, mostly from Douglas County's legal community, including retired judges.
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Lynn731 (anonymous) says…
She is a compassionate person, and is a very good judge. I am pleased with her appointment. Thank you, Lynn
justthefacts (anonymous) says…
Everyone who knows Peggy respects her. I think she'll do a real good job and I wish her well. That said, when judges are picked by politicians, they are almost always are chosen not just because of their legal acumen but to a large degree because they have been active in or supportive of the governor's party.... Having the public cast votes for judges isn't the answer either - that often leads to popularity contest; "vote for me and I'll let your kids off when they get DUI's" or "Vote him out, he's soft on criminals! (never mind what the law says)" Wish there was some middle ground or better way to pick the BEST legal minds as judges.....but for now, in Kansas, there are two choices of how to pick judges; political appointees (from a group given to the governor by people who are also well aware of the policial favors and popularity of a particular person) or let the public vote.