Boggs appointed as interim District Court Judge, Chapman is interim Superior Court Clerk

DAYTON–The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Kim Boggs as the new District Court Judge and Krissy Chapman as the new Superior Court Clerk at the December 13 meeting.

Two candidates, Boggs and Matt Johnson, were interviewed by the commissioners for the District Court Judge position opened with the retirement of Judge G. Scott Marinella after this year.

"I'm very excited about it," Boggs said. "I've been doing judge pro tem since he [Marinella] was elected about 15 years ago. I'm familiar with court, and I have held court on normal law-and-motion days. I have met with individuals held at the Sheriff's Office and have evaluated probable cause for the arrest, and release on conditions."

The first candidate was local resident and attorney Kim Boggs who has provided legal services in the community for since joining Nealey and Marinella as an associate in 1995. Since 2015, she has served as a senior partner at Marinella and Boggs Law Firm, and as judge pro tempore since 2002 to the present.

Boggs's judicial philosophy emphasized the importance of coming prepared and being familiar with the cases presented before the court, to listen to the arguments and articulate clear decisions with integrity based on the law. She also said that the judge is the manager of the courtroom and in charge of reeling in disorder through the enforcement of respectful and courteous communication.

Candidate Matt Johnson is also a resident of Dayton and a Senior Managing Attorney for Gravis Law, which specializes in business law. He stated his judicial philosophy emphasizes the importance of integrity, impartiality and fairness while making decisions based on the law and enforcing those in the court conduct themselves in a professional or respectful manner.

After a brief executive session to discuss, Commissioners voted two in favor of appointing Boggs as District Court Judge with Commissioner Chuck Amerein abstaining because he said he would have chosen differently but didn't vote against Boggs because she is a qualified candidate.

Boggs will serve the year remaining on retiring Marinella's term and will go through the election process in 2022.

Also interviewed was Krissy Chapman as the only candidate for the Superior Court Clerk position for the remaining term to be vacated by the retirement Sue Marinella. She stated her experience working as a clerk for courts in other counties which includes budget experience. She said the most important aspect of the job is to provide access to justice, legal advice and resources for the public while conducting herself in professional manner with those she serves and works with.

Commissioners approved appointing Chapman unanimously after discussing the interview in executive session. She will serve through the end of 2022.