Angela Carpenter Monday officially stepped out of the 9th Circuit District Attorney’s office and into a judge’s robe.

Carpenter was sworn in Monday afternoon as Vicksburg municipal court judge, taking the oath from Mayor George Flaggs Jr. in front of family, friends and public officials.

She replaces Toni Terrett, who will be sworn in Dec. 27 as circuit court judge. Carpenter’s first day on the bench is Jan. 2

“I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity,” Carpenter said after being sworn in. “This is my hometown; I’ve lived here all my life, I went to high school here. So many great accomplishments have taken place and I’m looking forward to so many more. I look forward to the privilege of continuing to serve this community.

“This is an honor for me. When I knew the vote was unanimous, I was indeed proud, because that let me know you had faith in me, and I appreciated that. I want to let you know that I intend to serve this city from that bench to the best of my ability and to the utmost of my ability.”

South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour said he was excited about Carpenter’s appointment “Because she’s got a prosecutor’s mindset, and I like that in a judge.”

He said the board has made it a policy to crack down on crime and protect the citizens of Vicksburg, adding the board was going after lawbreakers, “And Ms. Carpenter is used to going after them.”

North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield said he and Monsour “had no problems whatsoever,” appointing Carpenter.

“As she sits on this bench, she will find out that you’re dealing with every day citizens; you never know what’s coming before you. I have no doubt in my mind that Ms. Carpenter will be prepared. I have no doubt that she will be willing.”

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.