Lewes residents sworn in as Justice of the Peace Court judges

In small private ceremonies with only the closest of friends and family, Lewes residents Brett Graves and Catherine Hester were sworn in as Justice of the Peace Court judges. With wife Pam and son Seth looking on, Graves was sworn in June 8 at his home by Justice of the Peace Court Chief Magistrate Alan Davis. In front of a small crowd inside Palate Bistro & Catering, Hester was sworn in June 19 by Davis.

Both Graves, who has more than 28 years with Delaware Probation and Parole, and Hester, a longtime Dewey Beach alderman and owner of Teller Wines in Lewes, were nominated by Gov. John Carney and then confirmed by the Delaware Senate May 27. There are four Justice of the Peace Courts in Sussex County, and Davis said Graves and Hester will be in the thick of the state’s legal system, because approximately 70 percent of all court cases in Delaware go through the Justice of the Peace Courts.