For nearly two months, since his election, Christian Lengel had been visiting the various Magisterial District Courtrooms in Schuylkill County and preparing for his new role as a judge.
But the fact that he actually won the election and is the new Magisterial District Judge in Tremont hadn’t set in until he took the oath of office on Wednesday inside Courtroom 1 at Schuylkill County Courthouse.
“This is quite an honor,” Lengel said, surrounded by family and friends. “I’m glad to take this honor to represent the people of western Schuylkill County.”
Lengel is taking over as District Court Judge in the Tremont office. He succeeds David Rossi, who retired last year.
During his brief remarks on Wednesday, Lengel thanked the people who helped him on what was an arduous election campaign. In the Primary, Lengel turned aside numerous challengers and then topped Democrat Tim Seip in the General Election.
Addressing his fellow District Court Judges, Lengel told them he hoped to work with them in the future and also took a moment to introduce himself to the Common Pleas Court judges.
President Judge Jacqueline Russell told Lengel that she’s sure his fellow Magistrate Judges are happy to see him come aboard … mostly so he can work on-call shifts.
Due to retirements of Rossi and David Plachko, along with a hiatus for Judge James Reiley in Pottsville and now the ascension of Andrew Serina to the Common Pleas Court bench, the number of Schuylkill County Judges available to work the on-call shifts (nights and weekends) is limited.
Senior District Judges are currently covering courts left vacant by retirements and election and they don’t cover those shifts.
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