Christine Carpenter Fills Circuit Judge Seat

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Christine Carpenter was sworn in today as circuit judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit during an informal ceremony at the Boone County Courthouse.

Gov. Jay Nixon yesterday appointed Carpenter, who had been serving as an associate circuit judge, to fill the seat vacated when Gene Hamilton retired. Hamilton retired Oct. 1, and the Division I seat had been vacant since.

Carpenter, a Democrat, will serve the remainder of Hamilton's term and will have to run for re-election in 2012 to retain the seat. The appointment means the 13th Judicial Circuit, which includes Boone and Callaway counties, does not have a circuit judge from Callaway County.

"In her eight …