Douglas Witten
Douglas Witten was a judge for the West Virginia Judicial District 7 in West Virginia. He was appointed in 2015 by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) to fill the vacancy left by Roger Perry's retirement.[1]
Witten ran for election to a full term in 2016.[2] He lost in the general election on May 10, 2016.
Biography
Witten earned his bachelor's degree and his J.D. from West Virginia University. He opened his private legal practice in 1976.[1]
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. Joshua Butcher defeated incumbent Douglas Witten in the general election for the West Virginia Judicial Circuit 7, Division 1 seat.[2]
| West Virginia Judicial Circuit 7, Division 1 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Joshua Butcher |
50.34% | 4,580 |
| Douglas Witten Incumbent | 49.66% | 4,519 |
| Total Votes | 9,099 | |
| 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.[3]
The chief judge of each circuit court is selected by peer vote. Term lengths vary by circuit.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be:[3]
- 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
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 WVOW, "Doug Witten Appointed As Logan County Circuit Judge," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 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
