AUGUSTA –Governor Paul R. LePage today performed the swearing in of David J. Mitchell to serve as a District Court Judge and Judge John V. Romei to serve as an Active Retired District Court Judge. The judges are both from Washington County.

"I am pleased to swear in Judge Mitchell and Judge Romei, both of whom have distinguished records," said Governor Paul LePage. "In choosing judges, my focus is on the qualifications, demeanor, and integrity of the candidates, not politics. Judge Mitchell and Judge Romei reflect those priorities."

Governor McKernan nominated Judge Romei, a resident of Roque Bluffs, to the District Court in 1992. Before he became a judge, he established his own private practice in Machias. Prior to going into private practice, he was hired as a Trial Judge by the Passamaquoddy Nation, where he continues to serve on a part time basis. Early in his career, he worked as a District Attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Maine, School of Law.

David J. Mitchell, a resident of Calais, has practiced law in Washington County since graduating law school in 1997. He currently has his own firm consisting of criminal defense, divorces, child custody cases, protective custody matters, real estate, Probate, and civil litigation. Since 2004, Mitchell has also served as the Tribal Prosecutor in the Passamaquoddy Tribal Court in both Pleasant Point and Indian Township. He is a graduate of the University of Maine, School of Law.

Both judges were reviewed by the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary and confirmed by the full Senate.