Former Hastings County assistant Crown attorney Joseph Dart is the newest Belleville-based judge of the Ontario Court of Justice.

Dart is one of dozens of new judges appointed since May. His public swearing-in ceremony happened Monday at Belleville’s Quinte courthouse.

He took his official oath Sept. 11 and is already presiding over local cases.

Dart said he was “literally speechless” upon learning of his new job.

“It’s hard to put into words what this has meant to me and my family,” Dart said during Monday’s ceremony.

“I was overwhelmed with the amount of support I received.”

Dart succeeds Justice Elaine Deluzio, who has retired from full-time work yet will continue to serve on a per-diem basis.

Judges based in Belleville also serve satellite courts in Picton, Bancroft, and Napanee

See Full Page