CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — The new federal magistrate for the Northern District of West Virginia got to work right away after he was sworn in and robed Thursday morning.
Judge John Michael Aloi said it will be an easy transition thanks to everyone that has helped him out since he was named to the position.
“They view themselves as a court family, they work very closely together,” he said. “I know that there’s a great support system in place because it’s extremely important that we do our work, we do it well, we do it right and we do it fairly.”
One of the individuals who he said worked with him was the man he will take over for, John Kaull.
In the weeks leading up to his retirement after 45 years in law, Kaull made himself available to be observed in the courtroom and answer any questions the incoming magistrate had.
The mark Kaull left on the position, according to Aloi, was the passion he had for doing what was right for everyone.
“He cared very deeply about the rights of people who were charged with crimes, he cared very about protecting the public and about listening to the lawyers. Thinking very deeply about those issues, being a student of the law, all of those things are just admirable qualities of Judge Kaull.”
The newly appointed magistrate puts on his new robe after serving the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Marion County as a judge since being appointed to the position in 2011 and then winning his bid to finish out the term in 2012.
Senior Status Judge Robert B. Stone was named to fill the vacated seat on the bench.
Having been raised in Farmington, Aloi said he considered himself lucky to have the opportunity to have served right in his home county.
“I loved the people that I worked with. I would see childhood friends every day or people that knew my parents or grandparents. That’s deeply special.”
Overall, Aloi said he is ready to take on the new challenge and believes his time spent on the bench will serve him well.
“There’s certainly differences in procedure, but as far as being on the bench, interacting with lawyers and being familiar generally with the procedure that goes on, I hope that it will be extremely helpful.”
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley performed the duties of administering the oath of office, while Aloi’s daughter Iris robed him.