Newellton woman gets elected youngest justice of the peace in Louisiana

"Reality didn't hit at first now it's amazing," says Heather Furello, Tensas Parish Ward 1 Justice of the Peace.

At 19-years-old Furello became the youngest justice of the peace in the state. Now 20-year-old she has the black robe and official certificate to prove it.

"Some of the police officers that have had coffee at my table for years since I was a kid and my father now call me the honorable Heather Furello and that's what they did they didn't say you won they were like congratulations the honorable Heather Furello," says Furello.

That's not the only record she broke, she is also the youngest female in the nation to be elected as a justice of the peace. Graduating high school two years ago Furello says she never thought she would hold an elected position.

"A year ago I didn't have that mindset this is who I wanted to be I didn't really know what I wanted to do but I wanted to have some kind of impact on something my community my town something," says Furello.

Already hitting the books before being elected and continuing to study Furello is working to show others that age is just a number.

"I know I'm young and that's what I set out to show them I'm not quite as young as you think I am and I prepared in every way I could, studying manuals before just incase I had this position I wanted to have that one step forward just to be prepared," says Furello.

Winning by 52 percent of the vote against two others Furello wants to use the opportunity to bring the community together and make a positive impact.

Furello says she hasn't covered civil matters in court just yet, but looks forward to it; and that includes getting to marry people.