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Hinnant answers a higher calling

Patrice Hinnant is a devout Christian who once was a divinity school student.

But, when it came time for her to take the oath of office as a Superior Court judge this afternoon, there was no Bible to be found.

The ceremony was held in the commissioners meeting room of the Old Guilford County Courthouse, which hasn't been a working courtroom in many years.

Don't commissioners ever have need to refer to the Good Book?

I guess not.

Oh, well.

"We'll make a ceremonial affirmation," suggested Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Catherine Eagles, who administered the oath.

Hinnant raised her right hand and held her left at her side.

She made up for the lack of a Bible later by reciting Scripture: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream" (Amos 5:24). Lovely.

Gov. Bev Perdue promoted Hinnant from the District Court bench to replace Henry Frye Jr., who retired, interestingly, to go into full-time ministry.

She was introduced by Lawrence McSwain, a former colleague on the District Court bench who spoke about her fondness for gospel music and her concern for doing the right thing in every case.

Eagles noted that Guilford County now will be the only judicial district in the state with two women on the Superior Court bench. There are three men: Lindsay Davis, Joe Craig and Stuart Albright.

The ceremony was well-attended by judges from every level of the state's court system: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Superior Court and District Court. Other retired judges, elected officials, courthouse personnel, Hinnant family members and some local dignitaries, such as former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Henry Frye Sr., nearly filled the room. At least two ministers were present.

And no one had a Bible.

Well, Hinnant seems well-versed in its teachings. May they help her find the right balance of justice and mercy in every case she tries.