Action Alert - the Culpeper General District Court Judgeship

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

January 21, 2013

Jim Charapich

 

Action Alert - “The most critical legislative issue facing the Culpeper Bar Association is funding for the Culpeper General District Court Judgeship. Governor McDonnell’s budget for fiscal year 2014 provides funding to fill the fifteen neediest Virginia Court vacancies – with one exception- and that is the General District Court here in Culpeper. A recent Virginia Supreme Court projection forecasted that the caseload for The Honorable Judge Morton’s former position is 43.6% above the projected statewide average caseload, making it one of the highest-demand positions in the Commonwealth.”

 

 

“Failure by the General Assembly to fund the General District Court Judgeship in Culpeper will have a tremendous impact on our community. We are all aware of the very important role that the Courts play in keeping our community safe. Fewer criminal court dates in General District Court could have the potential to create delays in trying criminal cases, and even may create Constitutional speedy trial concerns for persons facing criminal charges.”

Further, the business community will be specifically affected by projected cuts in funding and civil court dates in Culpeper General District Court. The civil branch of the General District Court plays an essential role in the enforcement of contracts, maintaining proper relationships between merchants and customers, and preserving and enforcing the obligations that arise between landlords and tenants – just to name a few. By eliminating funding and civil dates available for General District Court, businesses in our community will see great delays in their right to pursue legal actions that will benefit their businesses.” Christopher Martin, Esq. – President, Culpeper Bar Association in a letter to the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, January 14^th, 2013.

We share the view of the Culpeper Bar Association that commerce in Culpeper would likely become hamstrung by a failure to have judicial process by at least the same level as other jurisdictions. The decision for funding will be made during this short session of the General Assembly. There are many priorities that we face at the General Assembly this session, however, I cannot think of one that is more important than this issue. The savings achieved by not funding this position would be far outweighed by the ultimate cost to the community of limiting the speed of the judicial process in Culpeper.

 

This is an opportunity for our community to make a difference. I urge you to contact our representatives – Senator Reeves, Senator Hanger, Senator Vogel, Delegate Scott, and Delegate Webert and others that you may know to express your support for funding the judgeship for the General District Court in Culpeper. In addition, please urge your neighbors and friends to rally support for this important issue. This is your time to make a difference - Carpe Diem.