PRESTONSBURG – Assistant Floyd County Attorney and Assistant Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Dwight Stacy Marshall will remain in the courthouse, but now he’ll be wearing a robe.

Marshall was appointed Friday to the position of Floyd County family court judge from a field of three candidates.

Gov. Steve Beshear made his announcement Friday to fill the position that was left vacant when Judge Johnny Ray Harris was named to fill the circuit judge spot left open following Judge Danny P. Caudill’s retirement.

Last week, three attorneys from the Prestonsburg area were placed on a short list of candidates. Along with Marshall, also on that list were David Allen Barber and Cynthia Elaine Elliott.

The three were selected by the Judicial Nominating Commission to be considered for the position.

Marshall, who has served for years as Assistant Floyd County County Attorney and as Assistant Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney, earned his law degree from Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1993. He is the son of Floyd County Judge-Executive R.D. “Doc” Marshall.

Marshall has acted has assistant county attorney for the last 14 years and as assistant commonwealth’s attorney for the past decade.

“I take this job with much honor and I’m looking forward to it, but also I’m saddened about leaving the friends and colleagues I work with in the county and commonwealth attorney’s offices,” Marshall said. “I’m glad the community considered myself as one of the three names to submit to Frankfort and at this point I’m looking forward to being able to assume the role of judge and see what kind of difference I can make.”

Marshall says he feels comfortable with the family court system, considering that since there’s been a family court system in Floyd County he has been involved in that process.

“I’ve been doing this ever since there’s been family court,” he said. “I’ve been working as a prosecutor in family court, so I’m very well aware of the types of cases that are heard in family court.”

As for what his plans are once he assumes the judgeship, which will most likely be sometime in the first week of January, Marshall said his goals are simple and remain within the vision of the family court system.

“I would always indicate that putting the interest of children at all times first,” said Marshall, “but also making sure that everyone’s rights are protected along the way.”

Marshall will next face a May primary election to retain the judgeship.