Emmet County’s district courtroom was standing-room-only Friday, Feb. 14 for the swearing-in ceremony of Angela Lasher, who became the first female judge to the 90th District Court for Emmet and Charlevoix counties.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Lasher to the court last month after an exhaustive selection process. In her announcement, Whitmer called Lasher “a well-respected leader” and said “I’m confident that she will uphold a standard of excellence while performing her duties.”
Prior to her appointment, Lasher had served for 15 years as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Emmet County dealing with both the district and probate court dockets and appeals. During those years, she specialized in cases involving juvenile delinquency as well as abuse and neglect. Before taking the position in the county prosecuting attorney office, she was the legal director for the Women’s Justice Center.
The Honorable Roy C. Hayes III, judge for the 33rd Circuit Court, provided introductions for Lasher’s investiture before bringing up the Honorable James N. Erhart to present opening remarks.
Though Judge Lasher was filling the chair left vacant by Judge Erhart’s retirement from the 90th District Court in November 2019, she asked the Honorable Valerie K. Snyder to administer the oath.
“Since Judge Snyder was the first female judge for probate court here in Emmet County and I was going to be the first female judge to the district court here, I just really liked the idea of her swearing me in. I was so honored that she agreed to do it,” Lasher said as she prepared for the ceremony.
Scott Herceg, husband of Judge Lasher, held the bible as his wife’s hand laid atop and she was sworn in. Parents Steven and Bernadine Lasher presented their daughter with the robe and Judge Lasher’s son Bennett presented her with the gavel.
Judge Lasher choked back emotion as she thanked the many former collegues, law enforcement officials, friends, and family members who were on hand to witness her elevation to the bench. She then spoke to the kind of judge she hoped to be.
“I promise to do my job honorably and to always approach it with the integrity that should go hand-in-hand with this profession,” Judge Lasher said. “I promise that everyone will be heard. I promise to be good-natured, good-humored and patient. I promise to be thoughtful and conscientious. But, most importantly, I promise to be fair and respectful of everybody in this courtroom. I think that these are values that district court should adhere to on an everyday basis and I will demand that from everybody that appears here.”
In addition to the role her family and fellow judges played in the ceremony, assistant prosecuting attorney Michael McNamara led the Pledge of Allegiance and Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin handled the opening and closing of the court.
Following the investiture, a reception was held in the lobby outside the district courtroom.
Judge Lasher’s appointment to fill the partial term left after Judge Erhart stepped down ends at noon on Jan. 1, 2021. Should she seek to continue in her position, Judge Lasher will be required to run for election in November 2020.
