With his predecessor Jim Martin looking on, Gavin Holihan was administered the oath of office by Senior Judge Carol K. McGinley, becoming Lehigh County’s new district attorney Jan. 2.

Following the ceremony, Holihan met with reporters outside the courtroom. His message for residents was clear: addressing violent crime in the county would be his top priority.

Holihan succeeds Jim Martin, who held the position of district attorney for 25 years. Reflecting on their professional relationship, Holihan said, “Over my career, he’s been more of an adviser than a mentor. I spent most of my career as a criminal defense attorney. And for almost my entire career as a criminal defense attorney, he’s been the district attorney. And we’ve been adversaries more than a mentor relationship. As of last year, I’ve been his first assistant. It’s been fun and educational.”

Holihan believes knowing both the role of a prosecutor and that of a defense attorney will make him a better district attorney, understanding strategies of each side, as well as the human element in each case.

“They often say it’s different sides of the same coin, but it’s much deeper than that,” Holihan said. “Working well, doing both sides well, really compliments the other sides. It allows me to see what both sides of the issue are.”

When asked by The Press what he wants the Holihan years to be known for in terms of issues of priority, Holihan answered, “Violent crime. I think we spend a lot of time, money and energy on minor offenses, low-level offenses, that seem to have little impact on the community. While some of those resources are better spent on violent crime, [we should] be more creative on the approach of violent crime.

“So, I think we are going to take a harsher approach on people who have significant criminal histories. I think we are going to take a harsher approach on gun crimes – when the guns were used in violent crimes, in offense or just possession, especially with repeat offenders.”