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    JUDICIAL INVESTITURE

    County Judge Brian Miller is sworn-in



    Wakulla Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith administers the oath of office to new Wakulla County Judge Brian Miller as Miller’s wife and daughter, Kelly and Elliot, look on, at a judicial investiture ceremony on Friday, Feb. 10. Photos by William Snowden

    By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor

    A standing-room only crowd was on hand at the Wakulla County Courthouse on Friday, Feb. 10 for the investiture ceremony for new Wakulla County Judge Brian Miller.

    More than a dozen circuit and county judges attended, including retired Wakulla County Judge Jill Walker, current Wakulla Circuit Judge Layne Smith and Circuit Judge Ron Flury, who had the Wakulla assignment for the past few years and also served as chief prosecutor in Wakulla before that.

    Miller was serving as Wakulla chief prosecutor when he was elected county judge in November.
    In her comments, Judge Walker, who served 32 years as Wakulla County judge, noted her conversations with Miller about his philosophy as a prosecutor and she said Miller replied that he wanted all defendants to feel they were treated fairly.

    Judge Flury noted that Judge Walker had been teaching or mentoring other judges throughout her long career.
    Saying Wakulla voters faced a win-win situation with the judicial candidates in the election between Miller and Eddie Evans, both good lawyers and both exceptionally good-hearted people, Flury said.
    “How you’ve treated people in the past is the primary reason you’re here,” Flury told Miller.

    Miller thanked his parents, his wife and daughter, and family. He thanked the judges in attendance, especially Judge Walker.
    “I can only hope to continue the high standard you set,” he told Walker, adding: “Thank you for your service.”

    A reception was held at Wakulla Springs Lodge after the investiture ceremony.


    Chief Judge Jonathan Sjostrom presides as retired Wakulla County Judge Jill Walker addresses the crowd.


    Former Wakulla Circuit Judge Ron Flury, who was also chief prosecutor in Wakulla for several years, offers Miller advice on being a judge.


    Major Ray Johnson, Undersheriff Billy Jones, Judge Brian Miller and Sheriff Jared Miller.


    Circuit Judge Layne Smith with Judge Brian Miller and Judge Smith’s judicial assistant Deanna Gravius at the reception at Wakulla Springs after the ceremony.