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Gerald Linkous
Gerald Linkous was a 2016 candidate for the West Virginia Judicial District 9 in West Virginia.[1] He was defeated in the general election on May 10, 2016.
Biography
Linkous earned his undergraduate degree from Concord College. He later earned his J.D. from the South Texas College of Law. At the time of his 2016 run for office, Linkous was an attorney with the judicial district's Public Defender Corporation.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Linkous' campaign website included the following themes for 2016:
| “ |
Over the years Gerald has won three cases at the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. In the most recent case the issue was whether a municipal judge has the authority to order a dog be put down. Gerald successfully argued that by statute in West Virginia only a magistrate or circuit court judge has the authority to order a dog be put down. Gerald believes strongly that a judge’s role in the legal system is to interpret and apply the law, not make law from the bench. Gerald does not, and cannot, promise any particular ruling in a prospective case, but promises that if elected judge, all who appear before him, whether an injured party, someone accused of a crime, or an individual working in the legal system, will be treated with civility and respect. Gerald believes a judge is present to serve those involved in the legal process and not that those involved in the legal process are present to serve the judge. Gerald’s professional experience, and his life experiences, uniquely qualify him to serve as Circuit Court Judge in Mercer County. Gerald’s legal experience has strengthened his belief that everyone involved in a legal proceeding should have a chance to be heard before an objective judge, and his life experiences will ensure that Gerald maintains his objectivity. Gerald would be honored and humbled to serve as your Circuit Court Judge, and the Committee to Elect Gerald R. Linkous asks you for your support in this upcoming election. [3] |
” |
| —Gerald Linkous (2016), [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. Mark Wills defeated Scott Ash, Gregory Prudich and Gerald Linkous in the general election for the West Virginia Judicial Circuit 9, Division 3 seat.[1]
| West Virginia Judicial Circuit 9, Division 3 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Mark Wills |
37.34% | 4,882 |
| Scott Ash | 30.77% | 4,022 |
| Gregory Prudich | 22.47% | 2,937 |
| Gerald Linkous | 9.42% | 1,232 |
| Total Votes | 13,073 | |
| 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.[4]
The chief judge of each circuit court is selected by peer vote. Term lengths vary by circuit.[4]
Qualifications
To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be:[4]
- 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 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Committee to Elect Gerald R. Linkous, "About," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 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
