Christopher C. Wilkes
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Christopher C. Wilkes was a judge for the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit in West Virginia.[1] Wilkes was first elected to the court in 1992 and began serving on the bench in 1993.[2] He retired January 31, 2019.[3]
Wilkes ran for re-election in 2016.[4] Christopher C. Wilkes won the general election on May 10, 2016.
Education
Wilkes received his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and his J.D. from the Ohio Northern University College of Law.[5]
Career
Before he was elected to the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit, Wilkes served as a judge for both Martinsburg and Ranson cities in West Virginia from 1985 to 1993. He also previously worked as an attorney in private practice in Martinsburg.[2]
Elections
2016
West Virginia held general elections for county judicial offices on May 10, 2016. This date coincided with partisan primaries for statewide and federal offices. The 2016 election was the first nonpartisan election for the state's judicial seats since statehood in 1863. Learn more about this change here. Candidates interested in filing for the election submitted paperwork by January 30, 2016. Incumbent Christopher Wilkes ran unopposed in the general election for the West Virginia Judicial Circuit 23, Division 3 seat.[4]
| West Virginia Judicial Circuit 23, Division 3 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Christopher Wilkes Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 15,993 |
| Total Votes | 15,993 | |
| Source: West Virginia Secretary of State, "Election Results Center," accessed May 10, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The judges of the West Virginia Circuit Court are elected in nonpartisan elections to serve eight-year terms. Judges must run for re-election when their terms expire.[6]
The chief judge of each circuit court is selected by peer vote. Term lengths vary by circuit.[6]
Qualifications
To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be:[6]
- a citizen of West Virginia for at least five years;
- a resident of his or her circuit;
- at least 30 years old; and
- practiced in law for at least five years.
See also
External links
- West Virginia Judiciary, "Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Judges and Court Information"
- West Virginia Judiciary, "Circuit Courts Overview"
- West Virginia Judiciary, "Court Information by County"
Footnotes
- ↑ West Virginia Judiciary, "Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Judges and Court Information," accessed September 3, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Journal News.net, "Wilkes files precandidacy papers," December 28, 2011
- ↑ Herald-Mail Media, "Seven apply for Eastern Panhandle judicial vacancy," January 21, 2019
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ Martindale.com, Judge Profile: Christopher C. Wilkes
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: West Virginia," archived October 3, 2014
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia
State courts:
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia • West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals • West Virginia Circuit Courts • West Virginia Family Courts • West Virginia Magistrate Courts • West Virginia Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in West Virginia • West Virginia judicial elections • Judicial selection in West Virginia
