Angela Carpenter was formally introduced Monday as Vicksburg’s next Municipal Court judge.

She was nominated by Mayor George Flaggs Jr. to replace sitting Judge Toni Terrett, who is leaving the city bench Dec. 25 after her election Nov. 6 to the 9th Circuit District Court, replacing Judge Isadore Patrick, who is retiring.

Carpenter, the senior assistant 9th Circuit District attorney for District Attorney Ricky Smith, finished second in the election. Flaggs said Carpenter’s experience as a prosecutor was one of the reasons he nominated her to replace Terrett.

A discussion and vote on Carpenter’s nomination as judge was placed under the board’s executive session agenda as “Court services (new hire),” but Flaggs stopped Monday’s board meeting to introduce her as the new judge. Aldermen Michael Mayfield and Alex Monsour both said previously they supported Carpenter’s nomination.

“This is a good choice; I definitely do not have a problem supporting her being the next judge,” Mayfield said.

Monsour said he had talked previously with Carpenter, “And following her track record, I’m very pleased to welcome he to the city of Vicksburg and I think she has a bright future.”

Carpenter said she is looking forward to the new position, adding, “Of course, I’m working now on a different level — I’ve been working at the circuit court system for 11 years, so I’m shifting gears, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to further serving our community the best I can.”

She said the experience of practicing law as a defense attorney and as a prosecutor will enable to see both sides of an issue, “And I believe that’s crucial to look at the cases, listen to the evidence and make sound decisions.”

She said taking the new position is a bittersweet experience, because she is leaving the district attorney’s office, where she served for 11 years, but she is looking forward to the new position.

“I appreciate the fact that the board nominated me, and voted me in,” Carpenter said. “I’m happy about that and I’m looking forward to serving.”

Carpenter received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in juvenile justice from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1992.

She received a master’s degree in political science from Mississippi College in 1994 and her law degree from Mississippi College in 2000.

She has served as senior assistant district attorney for the 9th District in Vicksburg and Warren County since 2008. She was in private practice specializing in criminal defense before joining the District Attorney’s Office.