Calhoon sworn in as new circuit court judge

Friends shared the lectern as Dee Dee Calhoon was sworn in at the 19th Judicial Circuit Place 4 Circuit Court Judge.

Judge Calhoon and Federal Magistrate Judge Jerusha T. Adams were workplace acquaintances in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Montgomery.

“At first, we were just colleagues,” Adams said. “I did not know much about her in the first two years we worked together. I observed that she was beautiful, friendly and kind. I also observed that she and Troy were the life of the party at every Christmas party, every year.”

One day Adams brought her daughter Sophia to work. Calhoon brought her youngest daughter Bella. 

“The next second they were running around through the office together, laughing and playing,” Adams said.

Soon, Adams and Sophia were invited to the home of Calhoon and Bella. The mothers sat and talked for hours as the girls played. The mothers shared stories of the girls building a foundation of friendship.

“One of the dreams that we shared was to become judges,” Adams said. “It was like two puzzle pieces magically fitting together that can never be separated.”

Ten years later, the mothers and daughters are still inseparable.

Adams was sworn as a federal magistrate judge in 2019. It was Calhoon’s turn to see the dream come true Thursday.

Sophia and Bella were in attendance as Calhoon was sworn in. Adams introduced Calhoon to area judges, fellow attorneys and local officials in the Autauga County Courthouse.

“She had the intellect and tenacity to attend law school while raising three young children,” Adams said.

Calhoon has represented many clients in her career, some in the very Autauga County Courthouse Courtroom where she took the oath of office. She said she has never had an issue speaking up for a client, but she paused Thursday.

“Bear with me,” Calhoon said. “I've often said that it's a lot easier to stand up and represent other people and advocate for them. But when you have to talk about yourself and be personal, it's a lot more difficult.”

Calhoon understands the difficulty in the new judgeship for the 19th Circuit covering Autauga, Chilton and Elmore counties. Her primary role will be all the divorce and child custody cases across the circuit. It is about 300 currently. 

“These cases are emotionally charged and involve people going through some of the most difficult times of their lives,” Calhoon said.

The new judge said she thought long and hard before campaigning for the bench. She knew the challenges, but Calhoon decided it was her calling.

“Families are the most important aspect of our community,” Calhoon said. “While it's difficult and these issues are not easy to deal with, we need people who are willing to step up to handle those matters.”