(AP) - The Louisiana Supreme Court has a new chief justice.
John Weimer of Thibodaux took the oath of office this month as the state's 26th chief justice.
A ceremony marking his investiture was held in New Orleans on Thursday.
Weimer fills the seat vacated by Bernette Joshua Johnson, who retired Dec. 31 after serving 26 years on the high court.
Weimer said he promised to work for the principles of impartiality, independence and fairness while pursuing justice.
The new chief justice became a state district judge in 1995, before being elected to Louisiana's 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in 1998.
He was first elected to Louisiana's Supreme Court in 2001.
