Bay County Native Alicia Carothers Sworn In as New Judge Following DeSantis Appointment

Bay County native Alicia Carothers officially took her oath of office as a new judge during an investiture ceremony held Friday afternoon. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Carothers to fill the judicial vacancy left by former Judge Shane Vann.

Judge Carothers had already begun her duties on the bench in June, serving for several months before the formal ceremony. Her appointment brings a familiar face to the local legal system, as she grew up in Bay County and graduated from Mosley High School.

Carothers brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Her career includes serving as an assistant state attorney, working as a private civil litigator, and most recently, holding the position of deputy county attorney. This diverse background prepared her for the responsibilities of the bench.

During the ceremony, Judge Carothers expressed her commitment to public service within her home community. She stated, "My career has really been about public service from the moment that I passed the bar exam, and it just feels really wonderful to be able to serve the community that I grew up in, in a completely new way." Family, friends, and colleagues attended the formal event to support her.

Residents can expect Judge Carothers to continue her work on the bench, bringing her local knowledge and legal experience to the Bay County court system.