Former Riverside prosecutor Michael Lough swore in to his new role as a San Bernardino judicial officer Aug. 30.
“It means a lot to have the opportunity to make a difference, and to serve,” Lough said.
As a commissioner, Lough will preside over court cases. San Bernardino Superior Court judges elected Lough to the role.
Riverside Superior Judge Natalie Lough, his wife, swore him in.
“I know we are both incredibly humbled and honored to wear these robes and to do this job. It is a responsibility I know I shoulder,” said Natalie.
“Having known him for as long as I have, I know that he will also have the same care and responsibility and humility. It is a great honor to swear him in,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by 13 judicial officers, including Michael’s brother, San Bernardino Commissioner Daniel Lough.
The Loughs’ sons, Walter and Oliver, put Michael in his robe.
Michael said he is happy to be able to help people.
“You do things just because you want to give back and serve. I look at this opportunity as something to make a difference in the world. After spending a week in family law, and being told I could really make a difference in family law, I look forward to that. As much as this is a ceremony with my name, and I’m taking the oath here, I got here because of all of you. All of you make a difference, especially my wife. I talked about the military, she had to deal with me going to boot camp, and training, to being gone. These boys taught me a lot of love and patience,” he said, hugging his sons.
“My family, coworkers across the world, everybody that’s made an impact on my life, the support staff over at the DA’s Office who I have sent a lot of requests to. Thank you for all of those. The supervisor, they made a difference in my life, and they’re the reason I’m here. So I just want to say thank you to everybody for making me the person who I am, and hopefully I won’t let anybody down. Thank you.”
Michael has served as a prosecutor since 2006, after he graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law. He and Natalie met in the prosecutor’s office 17 years ago, she said.
