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James Patterson (Alabama)
Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population as well as mayoral, city council, and district attorney election coverage in state capitals outside of the 100 largest cities. This judge is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates.
James Patterson was the Republican judge for Place 11 on the 13th Judicial Circuit in Alabama. Patterson won the general election on November 8, 2016.
Patterson was suspended from the court in late June, 2022 after a complaint was filed against him in mid-June by Alabama's Judicial Inquiry Commission. If Alabama's Court of the Judiciary convicts Patterson of his charges, he could face more severe penalties.[1][2]
Elections
2016
Alabama held general elections for local judicial offices in 2016. A primary election took place on March 1, 2016, with a primary runoff on April 12, 2016. The general election was held on November 8, 2016.
General election
James Patterson ran unopposed in the general election for the Alabama 13th Judicial Circuit Place 11 seat.[3]
| Alabama 13th Judicial Circuit (Place 11), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican |  James Patterson (unopposed) | |
| Source: Alabama Votes, "2016 Unofficial General Election Results," accessed November 10, 2016 | ||
Primary election
James Patterson defeated Allen Ritchie in the Alabama 13th Circuit Court Republican primary for Place 11.[4]
| Alabama 13th Judicial Circuit (Place 11), Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| James Patterson |
54.70% | 28,474 |
| Allen Ritchie | 45.30% | 23,582 |
| Total Votes | 52,056 | |
| Source: Alabama Votes, "Unofficial Election Night Results," March 3, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan elections
There are 144 judges on the Alabama Circuit Courts, each elected to six-year terms. They appear on partisan election ballots statewide and must face re-election if they wish to serve again. The chief judge of a circuit court is selected by peer vote and serves a three-year term.[5]
Only voters residing in a particular circuit may vote for the circuit judge of that region.[5]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:
- licensed to practice law for at least five years;
- a resident of his or her circuit for at least one year;
- under the age of 70 at the time of election (judges who turn 70 in office may serve until their term expires)[5][6]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ NBC News, "Alabama judge suspended after mocking Asian accent in the courtroom," accessed July 18, 2022
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Alabama judge suspended after mocking Asian accent and sexual assault in the courtroom," accessed July 18, 2022
- ↑ Alabama Votes, "2016 Election Information," accessed May 5, 2016
- ↑ Alabama Votes, "2016 Primary Election Sample Ballots," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Alabama," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Judicial Retirement Laws, "Alabama: Mandatory Retirement Provisions Applicable Generally," accessed March 31, 2016
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama
State courts:
Alabama Supreme Court • Alabama Court of Civil Appeals • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals • Alabama Circuit Courts • Alabama District Courts • Alabama Juvenile Courts • Alabama Municipal Courts • Alabama Probate Courts • Alabama Small Claims Courts
State resources:
Courts in Alabama • Alabama judicial elections • Judicial selection in Alabama
