Fair, firm justice.

That best sums up how Magisterial District Judge Bruce F. Appleton would assess his time in office.A quarter century after he took the oath of office, Appleton recently announced his intention to retire from the office of District Court Judge in Magisterial District 56-3-02, effective Dec. 31, 2011.Included in that district are Palmerton, Bowmanstown and Parryville boroughs, as well as East Penn, Franklin, Lower Towamensing and Towamensing townships.A graduate of Palmerton Area High School, Appleton earned an associate of arts degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, and a bachelor of science in commerce degree from Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.He has also received certification from the Pennsylvania Security Officers Training Academy at Lehigh University, Bethlehem; District Justice Certification and Continuing Education Certification from the Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Education Board, Harrisburg; and is a two-term past chairman of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania Education Committee.Appleton, who resides in Palmerton, was appointed magisterial district judge on May 1, 1986. In 1987, he ran in the election and was elected and appointed to the position.Before that, he said he was "politically involved and community active," and was a "person of civic orientation."Appleton said the amount of cases has grown exponentially in the 25 years since he first took the oath of office."The volume here with everything was a little over 2,600 cases in 1986," said Appleton, 59. "We almost exactly doubled that amount in 2010, and doubled it most other years."However, Appleton said the nature of the crimes haven't changed all that much."It's not a whole lot different," he said. "There's greater numbers, but not in the description."Appleton said he has covered several high profile sex cases in which the minimum prison sentences have exceeded 1,000 years."This is a pretty nice district," he said. "I've only dealt with two high profile homicide cases."On a kinder, gentler note, Appleton estimated he has done slightly over 1,000 weddings.Unfortunately, Appleton said there have been many instances where it's difficult to sit on the bench."It is sometimes very difficult to sit here and hear the graphic testimony that's been inflicted on the victims," he said. "It's the world's best people's job, but sometimes disturbing even for a judge to see what people do to themselves to become their own worst enemies."A recent trend Appleton alluded to is in the increase in the number of felony violators who commit burglaries, theft or credit card scams to help pay for drug habits such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines. The amount of driving under the influence cases have also increased, he said.On the whole, Appleton said he's noticed three particular trends over the years: an erosion in personal ethical standing, an erosion in personal accountability and responsibility and what he referred to as the most alarming the erosion of civility."Things are getting nastier," he said. "There are very few people that appear before this court that are not wonderful people; it's that their behaviors aren't acceptable."Throughout his tenure, Appleton estimated he has handled about two-thirds of the highest profile sex cases in Carbon County."Those are not easy to hear," he said. "There's no joy in hearing those types of cases."Upon his retirement, Appleton said he will continue to reside in Palmerton with his wife, Gloria, and remain active in the Carbon County area. He also looks forward to the pursuit of other business interests."There are certain things I'll miss; from the people aspect, and the interaction with various people," he said. "I will not miss the animosities some of them possess and the discomfort of what some of their behaviors have resorted to."Appleton said he envisions being invited to various 25th wedding anniversaries from couples that he married."I can foresee a very active retirement with lots of parties because I asked them to be on their guest of honor lists," he said. "I'll also get to see all the wonderful things that have come with (his own) marriage."As for his eventual successor, Appleton said he believes a minimum of three candidates will vie for his seat in the May Primary election."I just hope whoever the voters choose is a person accustomed to hard work and a decent mind that is willing to devote a major portion of their life to this position," he said. "It should be an honest, ethical person of integrity."Appleton said he believes whoever is chosen for the seat "should have a background that allows for some understanding, compassion and empathy.""The person should be a jury of their peers," he said. "There needs to be some sort of identification with the people who are before the court to do that properly."Appleton said he was appreciative of the endorsements he's received from people in the community."I've always gotten great widespread support from the people that trusted in me and had faith," he said. "Hopefully, they would say I didn't do anything to violate the trust of the people that voted for me."