Justin Cobb was sworn in as the new 10th Circuit District Court Judge Tuesday, before a standing room audience in the Circuit Court Courtroom at the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

    Cobb was officially sworn in by Judge Robert Bailey, who retired from the post Tuesday after more than 27 years on the bench. Appointed by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, Cobb will now be one of two judges in the 10th Circuit District Court, joining senior judge Lester F. Williamson.

    As a 10th Circuit District Court Judge, Cobb will preside over criminal and civil trials from Lauderdale, Clarke, Kemper and Wayne counties. He said he hopes to follow the judicial path set by Bailey.

    “I hope to continue Judge Bailey’s path by being an honest judge,” Cobb said. “I will use the best of my ability to make decisions based on the facts presented to me in the courtroom. I also want to thank Gov. Phil Bryant for approving my appointment.”

    Bailey said he expects Cobb to be a fine judge.

    “He’s a great guy and he and my son grew up together,” Bailey said. “He has high character and a lot of integrity.”

    Bryant, in a released statement, said Cobb’s leadership in the community will serve him well.

    “Justin is a talented attorney and prosecutor,” Bryant said. “His years of legal experience will benefit the people of East Mississippi. He is a leader in the community, and I believe he will serve with honor and integrity.”

    For the past 14 years, Cobb has been in private practice as a partner in the Cobb Law Firm, P.A. of Meridian, working with his father, Leonard.

    Besides his law practice, Cobb was elected as Lauderdale County Attorney in 2003, was re-elected in 2007 and 2011 and was unopposed for a fourth term in the 2015 elections. He is a graduate of Meridian High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and his law degree from the University of Mississippi.

    Cobb has also served as both president and vice president of the Lauderdale County Bar Association and as president of the association’s Young Lawyers Division. He is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association and the Mississippi Prosecutors Association.

    During remarks after his swearing-in, Cobb thanked his mother, Betsy, for teaching him to get past his struggles with reading when he was in the first and second grade. He also thanked the support of his wife, Holli, and their two sons, Witten and Houston.