Brad Touchstone was sworn in as 15th Circuit judge. Guess who attended the event?

Lici Beveridge, Hattiesburg American
·1 min read
Brad Touchstone, center, was sworn in as 15th Circuit Judge, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at the Lamar County Courthouse. Fellow 15th Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell presided over the investiture. Touchstone's daughter Ryleigh holds the Bible as his wife and parents look on.
Brad Touchstone, center, was sworn in as 15th Circuit Judge, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at the Lamar County Courthouse. Fellow 15th Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell presided over the investiture. Touchstone's daughter Ryleigh holds the Bible as his wife and parents look on.
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Brad Touchstone, who recently was appointed by Gov. Tate Reeves to fill the vacant seat on the 15th Circuit Court, made his appointment official with an investiture ceremony Friday at the Lamar County Courthouse.

Touchstone officially took office Jan. 1, leaving his position as Lamar County judge.

Reeves was among those attending the ceremony.

"He will be fair and just, hold criminals accountable and get Mississippians the help they need," Reeves said on Facebook after the swearing-in.

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Touchstone was sworn into office by Judge Prentiss Harrell, with his daughter Ryleigh holding the Bible and wife Janice by his side.

The 15th Circuit covers Lamar, Pearl River, Marion, Jefferson Davis and Lawrence counties. He will work alongside fellow judges Harrell and Claiborne "Buddy" McDonald.

Gov. Tate Reeves, center, attending the investiture ceremony for 15th Circuit Judge Brad Touchstone, who is pictured with his wife, Janice Touchstone and daughter Ryleigh Touchstone, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Lamar County, Miss., Courthouse.
Gov. Tate Reeves, center, attending the investiture ceremony for 15th Circuit Judge Brad Touchstone, who is pictured with his wife, Janice Touchstone and daughter Ryleigh Touchstone, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Lamar County, Miss., Courthouse.

Touchstone is already familiar with the 15th Circuit operations since he has heard cases as a judge-by-assignment in that court while he was county judge.

"That's given me a unique opportunity to get experienced in doing the criminal functions of the court," Touchstone said.

Touchstone, 43, a former state legislator, fills the vacancy left by Judge Tony Mozingo, who resigned to take over as director of Homes of Hope for Children.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Gov. Tate Reeves attends Brad Touchstone's swearing-in ceremony