ANN ARBOR, MI - Anna Frushour arrived in the United States 37 years ago, after her family fled Poland as a Communist regime instituted martial law.

Flash forward to 2020: The law is now in her hands.

In a court room packed with family, colleagues and political figures, the former Ann Arbor public defender was sworn in as a judge of Washtenaw County’s 14A District Court on Friday, Jan. 31.

Frushour was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Dec. 18, 2019 to replace retired Judge Richard Conlin, who hung up his robe early after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. At age 70, he was also mandated to not run for re-election in the 2020 election. His retirement took effect Oct. 1, 2019.

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Conlin placed the robe on Frushour’s shoulders Friday after Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary McCormack conducted the oath of office. The newly-appointed judge teared up as she thanked her parents for their sacrifices.

“About 35 years ago, they left their family and their country and escaped with two young children,” Frushour said, her voice cracking with emotion. “They wanted to give my sister and I a better life and opportunities. I would not be here today without the selfless sacrifice that they made for us.”

Frushour hopes to be a judge who “changes lives for the better, even in the most dire circumstances.”

The ceremony, held in 14A District Chief Judge Cedric Simpson’s courtroom, was attended by a number of public figures, including McCormack, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor and state Rep. Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor.

While Frushour serves on the bench, she is vying for election to same seat in the 2020 primary election in August. When she announced her intentions to run in September 2019, she was endorsed by Conlin, McCormack and Washtenaw County Circuit Chief Judge Carol Kuhnke.

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Frushour, a Pittsfield Township resident, was a partner at Reiser & Frushour, a law firm that contracts with the city of Ann Arbor to represent criminal defendants in misdemeanor cases, according to the law firm’s website. She has also served as assigned defense counsel for the Mental Health Court, Veteran’s Treatment Court, Sobriety Court and Street Outreach Courts in Washtenaw County.

She has a bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Frushour’s appointed term began Jan. 13, 2020 and ends on Jan. 1, 2021. Frushour will run for a six-year term.

No other candidates have yet filed to run for Conlin’s spot in the August 2020 primary.