Vernetta Perkins sworn is as county’s first Black female district judge

Vernetta Perkins was joined by other female judges.

Vernetta Perkins was sworn in as Dallas County’s new district judge on Dec. 9.

Perkins, the first African American female to serve as a district judge in Dallas County, replaces retiring Judge Bob Armstrong. She was appointed to the bench by Gov. Kay Ivey, who chose Perkins from a list of three candidates presented to her by the Dallas County Judicial Commission.

She was sworn in by Judge Collins Pettaway Jr., and she was passed the gavel by Armstrong. Her mother, Remigia Norde, robed her as the crowd looked on and cheered.

Also in attendance were Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn, Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr., District Attorney Michael Jackson, Rep. Prince Chestnut, Sen. Malika Fortier, Byron Evans, and judges Charles Price, Johnny Hardwick, Nathaniel Walker, Williams Powell, Tiffany McCord and Rhonda Peoples-Waters.

Perkins is a 1993 graduate of Selma High School, Spelman College and The University Alabama School of Law.

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