Laura Faircloth
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Laura Faircloth is a judge for the West Virginia Judicial District 23 in West Virginia.[1] Laura Faircloth won the general election on May 10, 2016.
Biography
Faircloth earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Shepherd College. She later received her J.D. from West Virginia University. Faircloth runs the Law Offices of Laura Faircloth and Associates in Martinsburg.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Faircloth's campaign website listed the following themes for 2016:
| “ |
Faircloth is now seeking election as circuit judge for the 23rd judicial circuit having dedicated her life’s work to the principles of our Constitution. She believes that the courts must always be open to everyone on an equal and just basis, without regard to status, religion, color, gender, or economic advantage. She believes that her candidacy brings diversity to the bench and pledges to do everything possible to ensure that parties before the court are afforded swift and effective justice while maintaining a fair and equal standard for all persons bringing grievances before the court. [3] |
” |
| —Laura Faircloth (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. Laura Faircloth defeated Bill Powell, Nick Colvin and Ralph Lorenzetti in the general election for the West Virginia Judicial Circuit 23, Division 6 seat.[1]
| West Virginia Judicial Circuit 23, Division 6 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Laura Faircloth |
44.63% | 7,902 |
| Bill Powell | 32.31% | 5,720 |
| Nick Colvin | 12.27% | 2,172 |
| Ralph Lorenzetti | 10.79% | 1,910 |
| Total Votes | 17,704 | |
| 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 Laura V. Faircloth for West Virginia Circuit Judge, "Meet Laura," accessed April 21, 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
