Caswell County Court System

"This year in 2016 we are celebrating the beginning of the unified court system," Judge Osmond Smith told the crowd that gathered in the courtroom to celebrate the anniversary. "In 2016 we also celebrate 50 years since the creation of the district court."

"The court system of North Carolina has been in existence since it became a state in 1777. Caswell County is the first county of the state," explained Smith. "It was established when we became a state in 1777. We have had a variety of courts over those years."

Smith said that there were superior courts, municipal courts, court of supports, justice of the peace courts, and others before a constitutional amendment in 1966 unified all of the courts in North Carolina. "We should be celebrated around the country because our unified court system has been adopted as a model."

"I have been a lawyer 40 of those 240 years- so has George Daniels and Mike Gentry. Lee Farmer is the senior active lawyer with about 43 years," said Smith. "We also have a lawyer that has more than 50 years- Retired District Judge, Robert R. Blackwell."

John Satterfield, the Clerk of Superior Court, then spoke on Marlene Watlington who has been with the Unified Court System for all but 10 of its 50 years. "2016 brings many things. It brings the milestone of the unified court system," said Satterfield. "Of course it brings another milestone in that Marlene Watlington, who is the Assistant Clerk of Superior Court in Caswell County, is celebrating her 40 years of service with the North Carolina Judicial System. Marlene began her career in the court system in 1976 as a judicial assistant working for Judge James Long and then in 1981 she came over to the clerk's office."

Satterfield presented Watlington with a framed letter from Chief Justice Mark Martin and the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts Marion Warren who extended their congratulations. Satterfield then gave Watlington a clock that she had chosen as her service award.

"We look forward to your continued service and all of your efforts you have made for the state of North Carolina and the citizens of Caswell County," said Satterfield.

"This isn't a retirement ceremony," laughed Smith.

"Someone told me a long time ago that if I have a job that I enjoy, I will never work a day," said Watlington. "And I have enjoyed it."

"Marlene has been here as long as the courthouse has been here," added Smith. "And while she has seniority over all of us, she also has seniority over Mr. Lee Farmer in that she started in the law office of Judge Blackwell in his practice in 1972."

"I learned as a lawyer early on, the best friend you can have in the courthouse is the clerk," continued Smith. "They are the one that can save you from falling face first into something. She and her colleagues in the clerk's office have been great friends to the court system to the lawyers the judges as they mentor us and help us through. We thank you for your service. I appreciate your service and the citizens of Caswell County and North Carolina have benefited from it."