Gooding, Idaho (KMVT-TV) In Calvin Campbell's 20 year legal career, he's made it a point to be involved in cases that prepared him to be a magistrate judge. Now, he'll have the variety of those experiences to draw on as he takes the seat on the judge's bench.

Gooding County Prosecutor Calvin Campbell says, "I've been a prosecutor, obviously, and criminal defense attorney, both privately and through public defender services. I've done family law in private practice, on my own as well as with a small firm. I've had a real broad range of experience here in the Magic Valley, and I've enjoyed every minute of it."

Campbell grew up in Gooding County, and he graduated from Wendell High School in 1984. He says his experience of being raised here helps him understand what farmers and ranchers are dealing with every day.

Campbell says, "I believe it'll be a great asset, because there really isn't any type of case that comes before a magistrate judge that I haven't handled. So it'll be nice to have a practitioner's perspective on how those cases go through, and what it was like being on the other side of the bench."

Campbell says he's looking forward to helping people find justice and fairness in the legal system.
He says he wants to make a positive difference in people's lives, and while he's sad not to be working in Gooding County anymore, he's looking forward to the challenge in Twin Falls County Magistrate Court.

Campbell says, "I am looking forward to that, but there's always some nervousness and butterflies as you start on a new adventure, and that's the way I look at this."

Sept. 5, 2012.