James Burge
James Burge was a judge on the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio from January 2007 until his resignation on April 14, 2015. He resigned prior to the end of his term after a conviction for falsifying records and tampering with evidence.[1] Burge received a $3,000 fine, and he is appealing the conviction as of February 1, 2016.[2] Learn more about this story here.
Burge tried to regain his seat in 2016, but he was defeated in the Democratic primary election on March 15, 2016.[3]
Elections
2016
Incumbent Christopher Rothgery defeated James Burge in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas General Division Democratic primary election.
| Lorain County Court of Common Pleas (General Division–Rothgery seat), Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Christopher Rothgery Incumbent |
59.88% | 18,958 |
| James Burge | 40.12% | 12,701 |
| Total Votes | 31,659 | |
| Source: Loraine County, Ohio, "Primary Election: Unofficial Results," March 15, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The 391 judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are all selected in an identical manner. Qualified individuals wishing to join the bench must participate in partisan primary elections followed by nonpartisan general elections.[4]
The chief judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are chosen by peer vote and serve for one year.[4]
Qualifications
To serve on an appellate or general jurisdiction court, a judge must be:[4]
- a district or county resident (for court of appeals and common pleas judges);
- at least six years practiced in law; and
- under the age of 70.
Under the Ohio Constitution, a judge who reaches 70 years of age may be assigned by the chief justice to active duty, receiving payment on a per-day basis in addition to whatever retirement benefits he or she is entitled to.
2012
Burge was re-elected to the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas after running unopposed in the general election on November 6, 2012.[5]
Education
Burge received his undergraduate degree from Kent State University in 1969 and his J.D. degree from Cleveland State University in 1975.[6]
Career
Before joining the court, Burge worked in the private practice of law for 31 years.[6]
Noteworthy events
Burge indicted by grand jury
On September 24, 2014, Burge was indicted by a grand jury for charges including "falsification, tampering with records, soliciting improper compensation and having an unlawful interest in a public contract."[7]
Some of the charges stemmed from the period when Burge owned and rented an office building to attorneys. Some of these attorneys had cases before Burge. The charge of tampering with records arose when Burge allegedly provided false information on financial disclosure statements related to his ownership of the office building.[8]
Burge was convicted on April 8, 2015, and he resigned from office on April 14.[7] He said that he had no intentions of appealing the conviction, nor did he intend to retire from law altogether.[1]
| “ | Law is my whole life apart from my family, so on a list of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, I would have to say that that was right there at the top. … But in the end, I respect the judge’s and jury’s decision. … I couldn’t retire. I have to be useful and try to help others in any capacity that I can. I’m optimistic about the future.[9] | ” |
| —James M. Burge, [1] | ||
See also
- Courts in Ohio
- Local trial court judicial elections, 2016
- Lorain County, Ohio
- Ohio Courts of Common Pleas
- News: Lorain County Judge sets case resolution deadline, March 30, 2012
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Morning Journal, "Convicted Judge James Burge resigns," April 14, 2015
- ↑ The Chronicle Telegram, "Burge to challenge Rothgery for judgeship," August 25, 2015
- ↑ Lorain County Board of Elections, "2016 Primary: Candidate List," January 5, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Official Results for 2012 General Election," accessed September 25, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, "Judge James M. Burge," accessed September 25, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fox 8.com, "Ohio judge accused of criminal misconduct," September 25, 2014
- ↑ The Chronicle-Telegram, "UPDATED: Judge Burge indicted on public corruption charges," September 24, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio
State courts:
Ohio Supreme Court • Ohio District Courts of Appeal • Ohio Courts of Common Pleas • Ohio County Courts • Ohio Municipal Courts • Ohio Court of Claims
State resources:
Courts in Ohio • Ohio judicial elections • Judicial selection in Ohio
