Chester County got a head start on its judicial and political makeup for 2024 with the installation of several new officials and judges in Courtroom 1 of the Chester County Justice Center on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30.

On Dec. 29, five new judges and two judges retained by voters took the oath of office to serve 10-year terms on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas: Sarah Black, Nicole Forzato, Fredda Maddox, Thomas McCabe and Deb Ryan.  Judge John Hall, currently serving as President Judge, and Judge Patrick Carmody will continue to serve their roles.

On Dec. 30, three County Commissioners, and the new District Attorney, Sheriff, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills and one Magisterial District Judge were also sworn in. Fresh off his election in November, Eric Roe was sworn in as the newest County Commissioner, as were current Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz. In addition, Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe too his oath as the county’s new District Attorney; Kevin Dykes was sworn in as the new Chester County Sheriff; Michele Vaughn officially began her second term as Register of Wills; and Diane O’Dwyer began her term as the County’s Recorder of Deeds, having previously served as Acting Recorder. 

Tim Arndt was sworn in as the new Magisterial District Judge for the Honey Brook District Court. Debbie Bookman, who was unable to attend the ceremonial swearing-in event, will begin her second term as the Prothonotary for Chester County. 

“The addition to the Chester County bench of the five newly elected Common Pleas judges constitutes the largest number of judges added at one time to the court since it was created in 1791,” said President Judge Hall at the ceremony. “As a percentage of the 14-member court, these five judges will represent over one-third of the bench, the largest proportional change to the court since the appointment of Judge William Waddell in 1887.”