After serving as prosecuting attorney for the last nine years, Nathan Carroz will have a new job.

The Wellsville native will take over duties as associate circuit judge for the 12th Judicial Circuit, replacing Kelly Broniec. Carroz was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson on March 11.

“I’m glad that I will get to continue to serve the community in that capacity as associate circuit judge,” Carroz said. “Specifically, I’m honored to continue the traditional judicial excellence that has been set by Judge Broniec and Judge (Roy) Richter here in Montgomery County.”

Broniec worked as associate circuit judge for 14 years before being appointed as a judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, in October. Carroz said he started working for Broniec after graduating from Wellsville-Middletown High School in 2005.

“She allowed me to come in and to help with some minor things in the office,” Carroz said. “Practicing law is what I wanted to do. It was that that kind of confirmed that I did want to practice law and I wanted to be the prosecutor. Now, it’s been nice serving in this capacity and I’m humbled to take over after her when she was appointed to the Appellate Court. She’s been very important to my career.”

Carroz became prosecuting attorney on Dec. 1, 2012. He was appointed to the position by Judge Keith Sutherland, and replaced Nicole Volkert, who resigned to take an attorney job with the city of Columbia. The year before, Carroz began work as an assistant prosecutor after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.

“Being a prosecutor is excellent preparation for being a judge because as a prosecutor, you look at situations and circumstances and you try to protect everyone’s rights,” Carroz said. “Judges look at it the same way. It’s their job to look at everyone, whether it’s a criminal defendant, a crime victim or someone in probate court and make sure their rights were upheld. I’ve been doing that for nine years and I’m excited to be able to continue to do that.”

Andrew Bailey, one of Gov. Parson’s staff members, called Carroz about his new position. Bailey, a Rhineland resident, was recently appointed as General Counsel for the governor’s office.

“It was very exciting,” Carroz said. “Your stomach kind of drops when you see that number calling, but it was good to hear from them and it was good news to hear.”

Carroz said he hopes to start working as an associate circuit judge by the end of March.

“I don’t have an exact date, but I’m going to take some time to get the prosecutor’s office in as good of a condition for a transition as possible before I transition to being the judge,” Carroz said. “I want to make sure that I take care of the employees who have been taking care of me for the last nine years.”

Carroz graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in history from Hannibal-LaGrange University before he later headed to law school at Mizzou.

“I went to law school thinking that I wanted to be the prosecutor and I have intended to be a prosecutor,” Carroz said. “I didn’t think there would be an opening in the judge’s position for a while, but that happened. It deservedly happened for Judge Broniec. Now, I’m happy to have that opportunity to do that.”