Lynn A. Nelson
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Lynn A. Nelson is a judge for the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit, which presides over Grant, Mineral, and Tucker counties of West Virginia.[1] He was elected to the court in 2008 to replace retired Judge Andrew N. Frye Jr.[2] Nelson successfully ran for re-election in 2016.[3]
Education
Nelson received both his undergraduate degree and J.D. from West Virginia University.[4]
Career
Prior to his election to the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit, Nelson was the prosecuting attorney for Mineral County, West Virginia. He served in the position for twenty years and was elected to five terms, the most in the history of the county.[2] Nelson was elected the county prosecuting attorney just one year after being admitted to the West Virginia State Bar.[5]
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. Incumbent Lynn Nelson ran unopposed in the general election for the West Virginia Judicial Circuit 21, Division 1 seat.[3]
| West Virginia Judicial Circuit 21, Division 1 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Lynn Nelson Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 2,056 |
| Total Votes | 2,056 | |
| 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.[6]
The chief judge of each circuit court is selected by peer vote. Term lengths vary by circuit.[6]
Qualifications
To serve on a West Virginia Circuit Court, a judge must be:[6]
- 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
- West Virginia Judiciary: Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Judges and Court Information
- West Virginia Judiciary, "Circuit Courts Overview"
- West Virginia Judiciary, "Court Information by County"
Footnotes
- ↑ West Virginia Judiciary, "Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Judges and Court Information," accessed July 16, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cumberland Times News, "Nelson candidate for circuit judge," January 15, 2008 (dead link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Search," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ Martindale.com, Profile: Lynn Alan Nelson
- ↑ West Virginia Record, "Former Keyser councilman accuses prosecutor, now circuit judge, of pursing meritless criminal charges," February 5, 2010
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 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
