By Nathan Pilling

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XENIA — Adolfo Tornichio was sworn in as judge of the Greene County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, Friday afternoon.

After being sworn in as the newest member of the Greene County judiciary, Tornichio addressed the hundreds gathered at the Greene County Courthouse for the ceremony.

“What I desire most about the position is to make a positive difference in the lives of Greene County children and their families,” he said. “As an assistant – or I should say as a former assistant prosecuting attorney – there have been juveniles that I’ve prosecuted that later I prosecuted them as adults. One of my goals is to stop this repetitive cycle in our court system and make positive impacts on our troubled children so they have an opportunity to grow up and become competent and productive members of society.

“Every child helped benefits not only them but it benefits everyone in this room, everyone in this county and it affects our future.”

According to Tornichio, one of the ways to accomplish this goal is to reach out to local stakeholders – school districts, mental health providers, drug treatment and social service providers – to work collaboratively to identify and intervene with at-risk youths before they enter the juvenile court system.

Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Haller had high praise for the former assistant prosecuting attorney – a position Tornichio held for 19 years until Friday: “The question before you today is what kind of judge will Adolfo Tornichio be? I submit that he won’t be a good judge,” he said. “He’ll be a great judge. Based on the evidence I see, based upon his experience, his leadership, his character, he’s off on another great career.”

Tornichio was appointed to the bench by Governor John Kasich at the end of August.

The Beavercreek resident’s appointment comes following the retirement of Judge Robert Hutcheson at the end of May. Tornichio would have to run for the office in the November 2016 general election to retain the seat for the remainder of Hutcheson’s unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2018.

Tornichio has said previously that he has “every intention” of running to retain the seat in that election.

Hon. Adolfo Tornichio speaks after being sworn in as judge of the Greene County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/10/web1_ceremony1.jpgHon. Adolfo Tornichio speaks after being sworn in as judge of the Greene County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division. Nathan Pilling | Greene County News

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine speaks at the ceremony.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/10/web1_ceremony2.jpgOhio Attorney General Mike DeWine speaks at the ceremony. Nathan Pilling | Greene County News

Greene County Common Pleas Judges Michael Buckwalter and Stephen Wolaver, and Judge Thomas Rose, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, look on during the ceremony.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/10/web1_ceremony3.jpgGreene County Common Pleas Judges Michael Buckwalter and Stephen Wolaver, and Judge Thomas Rose, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, look on during the ceremony. Nathan Pilling | Greene County News

Hundreds filled the Greene County Courthouse Friday afternoon for the swearing-in ceremony.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/10/web1_ceremony4.jpgHundreds filled the Greene County Courthouse Friday afternoon for the swearing-in ceremony. Nathan Pilling | Greene County News

Hon. Judge Robert Hutcheson (Ret.) administers the oath of office for the ceremony.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/10/web1_ceremony5.jpgHon. Judge Robert Hutcheson (Ret.) administers the oath of office for the ceremony. Nathan Pilling | Greene County News

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Video Caption: Part of Judge Tornichio’s speech after he was sworn in Friday.
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