Passing the Gavel
Mark Alan Calhoon sworn-in as State District Judge

Courtesy Photo Jerry L. Calhoon, left, performs the investiture ceremony for his son, Mark A. Calhoon

PALESTINE - East Texas attorney Mark Alan Calhoon was sworn-in as State District Judge, 3rd Judicial District, on Friday, July 6, in the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine. Calhoon's father, Senior State District Judge Jerry L. Calhoon, now retired, performed the investiture ceremony in front of a crowd of county and civic leaders from Palestine, Athens, Crockett, Tyler and surrounding areas.

The 3rd Judicial District, one of Texas' oldest courts, serves Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties.

Judge Calhoon, a life-long resident of Palestine, practiced law in Anderson county for more than 12 years. He gained experience on both sides of the docket; trying criminal cases as chief felony prosecutor in the Anderson County District Attorney's office, and practicing criminal defense and family law at the law firm during the course of his private practice. Calhoon's courtroom experience includes ten murder trials three of which involved the death penalty.

"It definitely gives you balance, having been on both sides," Judge Calhoon said. "Sometimes there is a tendency to have tunnel vision when you have been either a prosecutor or defense attorney exclusively. I look forward to running a fair and efficient court in the 3rd District for the people of East Texas."

Judge Calhoon was appointed to the position by Governor Rick Perry earlier this year. "The governor felt Calhoon was the best to fill that position because of his extensive legal experience and his past dedication to public service," Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said.

Judge Calhoon was originally scheduled to be sworn in the last week in June, but the trial of his last client, Van Zandt County Sheriff's Investigator James Finch, stretched longer than expected-with more than two weeks of testimony and lengthy jury deliberation- and a smaller ceremony was performed on Friday, July 6 immediately following the conclusion of the hotly contested trial.

"It's a testament to Mark Calhoon's dedication to the legal profession that he did not abandon his client until this vigorous trial was seen through to the end," said the elder Judge Calhoon during the swearing-in. "I am a proud father today."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Judge Jerry Calhoon presented his son with a his gavel. The gavel had been crafted from a fallen dogwood tree in an Anderson county forrest.

Judge Calhoon is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and University of Oklahoma School of Law. He and his wife Jennifer reside in Palestine with their four children.