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JACKSON – After nearly 30 years of pleading cases before the bench, Jamal Summey finally has the opportunity to be the one to pass judgment.

Before a standing room only crowd gathered here New Year’s Day in the courtroom of the new Northampton County Courthouse, Summey accepted the oath of office as a District Court Judge within Judicial District 7 (Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton counties). The former state prosecutor and criminal defense attorney earned the seat during this past November’s General Election.

Summey was sworn in by recently retired Chief District Court Judge Turner Stephenson II.

“I stand before you today with humility and gratitude,” said Summey, adding that he could feel the presence of his late parents smiling down on him from Heaven. “I thank them for instilling their work ethic in me and in my brothers and sisters.”

Summey recognized numerous individuals for helping guide his career path.

“Thank you to everyone here for supporting and guiding me along the way,” he continued. “Thank you for your acts of kindness, your words of support, your prayers, and most importantly, your sacrifice.”

He thanked his family for “standing by me during every step of this journey.” He praised his mentors – Judge Cy Grant, Judge Al Kwasikpui, Judge Brenda Branch, Judge Alma Hinton, Judge Turner Stephenson, Judge Teresa Freeman, Judge Rob Lewis, Judge Vernisha B. Johnson, Judge Thomas Newbern, and David Beard, along with the local Clerks of Court.

“Their wisdom, insight, direction and guidance has molded me into the jurist I am today and I’m grateful for the lessons learned, the challenges we overcame, and the camaraderie we shared,” Summey stressed.

“As I take on this new role, I’m mindful of the immense trust placed in me by this community. As I promised during my campaign, I will be fair, compassionate, and efficient. I will uphold and follow the law and follow the principles of fairness and integrity in every decision I make. I will ensure the rights of all who come before the court. Together, let us work towards a future where justice prevails, where the rule of law is upheld, and where every individual is treated with decency and respect,” Summey concluded.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Cy Grant presided over the ceremony.

“This is a reflective moment for me as I have known Jamal for 26 years,” noted Judge Grant. “As an assistant district attorney, he was a tenacious prosecutor, representing the people of our district over a five-year period. I’ve had a front row seat over the past 22 years, witnessing him become an outstanding criminal defense attorney in private practice of law. He was prepared, forthright, and honest in his dealings with fellow lawyers and the court.”

Judge Grant called Summey, “a workhorse of a lawyer,” handling cases locally and in other eastern North Carolina counties.

“I would often appoint Jamal to the more serious criminal cases because I knew he could handle them,” Judge Grant added. “I knew those defendants would be represented effectively, confidently, zealously, and professionally.”

Others making remarks at the ceremony included Halifax County Commissioner and chairman Vernon Bryant, retired Chief District Court Judge Alfred W. Kwasikpui, retired District Attorney David Beard Jr., and Chance Lynch of the Lynch Law Firm.

“Jamal Summey is an advocate for justice,” said Bryant. “I wish my good friend good luck and God speed.”

“How does a city guy from Winston-Salem become a District Court Judge in eastern North Carolina? The answer is he earned it,” stressed Kwasikpui. “He put down roots here. He got to know the people of Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton counties. He has given back by volunteering for a number of worthy causes.

“As he becomes a District Court Judge, he needs our support more than ever as he serves, as he promised, with fairness, firmness, and efficiency,” Kwasikpui added. “Our new judge will soon have the weight and responsibility of deciding cases that affect many lives in our community. I believe he will do with is right and just.”

Beard expressed his happiness of seeing Summey take this next step in his professional career. Beard said he first met Summey while Jamal was enrolled in law school at N.C. Central.

“He stood out because he was always so positive and optimistic,” Beard recalled, adding that Summey reached out to him upon graduation, inquiring about the possibility of working for Beard as an assistant district attorney.

“He was ready to meet the challenge and move forward,” Beard noted. “That stuck with me back then and it still sticks with him today. He inspires me. He shows determination and shows belief in himself. He didn’t wait for the door to open, he took the key and walked right in. He learned from his journey and I am so happy for him and so proud of him. He’ll be a great judge and I can’t wait to watch him do it.”

Lynch said Summey wasn’t only a legal colleague, but also a friend.

“As a young prosecutor 15 or so years ago, I was trying to juggle so many things,” Lynch recalled. “I recall meeting Jamal, who was so persistent. He taught me how to multi-task. He was passionate about serving his clients. Whether he won or lost a case, he gave it his all.”

Other than the passion and personality that Lynch saw in Summey, he added one other worthy characteristic.

“Jamal has respect for others,” Lynch stressed. “He brings that respect to the judiciary. I believe that our judiciary, strong as it already is, is wiser and stronger because Jamal Summey is now a part of it.”

Rev. Travis Judkins of Cool Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Gaston, gave the invocation at Wednesday’s ceremony. The benediction was performed by Rev. Sammy D. Webb of First Church of Deliverance in Roanoke Rapids. A reception followed.

Now a resident of Roanoke Rapids, Summey is a 1994 graduate of NC State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Three years later, Summey earned his Juris Doctor from the NC Central University School of Law.

He then went to work locally as an Assistant District Attorney before moving into private practice, specializing in criminal defense cases.