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Saline County District Court's newest judge officially received his robe and gavel in a formal ceremony Friday before taking the bench in Courtroom 301.

Judge Jared Johnson actually began presiding at court hearings earlier this week after taking the oath of office at noon Monday.

On Friday, an overflow crowd watched from the gallery during his official robing ceremony. His wife, Leslie, and three sons, Bobby, 19, Tyler, 10, and Logan, 8, sat next to Johnson.

Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss told Johnson he takes the bench during a time of change for the state's judicial system. Results of a caseload study and a Blue Ribbon Commission's recommendations for restructuring the state's court system are expected to be received in about 18 months, Nuss said.

"It's a hard time for the judicial system because of the state budget, but it's also an exciting time," Nuss said, who formerly practiced law in Salina. "We are looking for vigorous young judges to lead us through this time, and I can't think of anybody better than Judge Johnson."

Dustin Denning, president of the Saline County Bar Association, presented Johnson's robe, which Leslie and Johnson's mother, Cathy, helped him put on.

Retired Judge Daniel Hebert, whom Johnson replaced, presented Johnson with his gavel. He told Johnson that in accepting his seat on the bench, he was not just embarking on a new job.

"It's a vocation," Hebert said.

Hebert said the judge's robe symbolized fairness in administration of justice, and his gavel signified authority and order.

"Use it wisely and judiciously," Hebert told Johnson. "I have every confidence that you will."

Johnson, 35, was previously employed with the Salina law firm of Clark, Mize & Linville for five years, where he worked on city ordinance issues and other areas of municipal law. He's also worked in criminal law, probate and estate planning.

He has experience in general civil litigation, insurance defense and employment law.

Before 2005, Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force as a captain, and was with Judge Advocate General Corps for four years as a prosecutor and defense counsel for jury trials and trials to the court.

Johnson said the process of becoming a judge has been humbling.

"The blessing God has shown me by giving me this position comes with great expectations," Johnson said, adding that Saline County judges who have preceded him have set the bar high.

After Chief Judge Jerome Hellmer told Johnson to take the bench, Johnson demonstrated he knew how to use his gavel.

"Court adjourned," he said with a bang.

n Reporter Erin Mathews can be reached at 822-1415 or by e-mail at emathews@salina.com.

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