Bill Bostick, who has served Shelby County as an assistant district attorney for the last 15 years, is our county’s new circuit court judge.

No less than Shelby County District Attorney Robby Owens, who had been grooming Bostick to be his successor, said Bostick was an “ideal candidate” for the judgeship because of his sense of fairness, his ability to evaluate people and his understanding of the law. Bostick has had many successes as a district attorney, trying more than 100 jury and bench trials and securing convictions in several of Shelby County’s most heinous crimes.

He will bring that work ethic to his new position as circuit court judge.

We knew it would be hard to fill previous Circuit Court Judge Michael Joiner’s shoes when he was appointed to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, but if anyone can do it capably, Bostick can.

Bostick’s entire life has been based on a strong belief in helping justice prevail. He’s done an excellent job helping that cause through his time as a district attorney; now, he can work for justice from behind a judge’s bench.

Although Owens, along with the district’s attorney’s office, has been dealt a blow, Assistant District Attorney Jill Lee will undoubtedly prove more than capable of handling the chief assistant district attorney position Bostick leaves behind.

We wish both Bostick and Lee the best of luck as they move into their new positions, and call on the community to stand behind them both as they serve our county in the best ways possible.

The We Say is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.