Judge Duggan presiding…

WALLACE — Judge Barbara Duggan was officially sworn in as District Judge in the First Judicial District during her investiture Wednesday night at the Shoshone County Courthouse.

It was announced in November of last year that Idaho Gov. Brad Little had appointed Duggan to the position from her now-former position as magistrate judge in Shoshone County.

A 1991 graduate of the University of Idaho, Duggan was appointed to the magistrate judge position in Shoshone County in 2016, as well as serving in both Kootenai and Benewah counties.

While many people in Duggan’s position may have elected to stay in the position of magistrate, she believed that this was the next logical progression in her legal career.

The world of a magistrate judge is among the most exciting and demanding fields in the legal system, seemingly mirroring a schedule similar to a doctor depending on what is needed from the court and community in which a person serves.

“It was a busy job,” Duggan said. “You have many different obligations and it’s a great job because you have a great variety of work.”

The district court bench comes with a bigger slate of more serious felony matters, so while the variety of work may decrease, in some cases the severity of the charges and gravity of the consequences will be greater than what Judge Duggan had been handling as a magistrate judge.

Duggan’s comprehensive knowledge of the law and its procedures are probably two of her biggest strengths — these two qualities are easily spotted when you watch her preside over her courtroom.

“These can be grave matters,” Duggan said. “And I want to make sure everything is done correctly and to the best of my ability.”

While still in its infancy, Duggan is looking at her new position as the one she’d like to ride into the sunset doing — something her predecessor did as well.

“I think Judge Wayman is going to really enjoy retirement,” Duggan said. “He’ll get the opportunity to work as a senior judge and I think he is really going to enjoy it.”

A senior judge is one who is appointed by the Idaho Supreme Court to basically act as a substitute judge whenever a situation calls for it, be it health, vacations, or like Shoshone County is experiencing currently where Judge Dan McGee is acting as magistrate while the new magistrate is being chosen.

“I'm thankful to be here,” Duggan said. “There are so many good people in this community. I’m so thankful for how resilient and generous this community is. I don’t think you see that as often in other communities as you see it here. I think this will be a very exciting and remarkable way to finish out my career.”