Thomas A. Fortkort

The Honorable Thomas A. "Tom" Fortkort (1933 - ) was a judge on the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic relations Court from 1977 to 1985 and on the Fairfax Circuit Court from 1985 to 1995.

Fortkort graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a B.S. degree in mathematics in 1955, and took his J.D. from Georgetown University. Fortkort was admitted to the Bar in 1965.[1]

From 1967 to 1971 Fortkort worked in the Commonwealth's Attorney's office.

Fortkort then became a name partner in the firm of Fortkort, Moshos and Davis until 1977.

The 43-year-old Fortkort was elected to a six-year term to fill a newly-created vacancy on the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on February 18, 1977.[2] One of Fortkort's notable cases while seated on the bench of that court was the trial of Larry Viscidi, who was accused of murdering his brother Billy in 1978.[3] Judge Fortkort ruled both that there was insufficient evidence to support Commonwealth Attorney Robert F. Horan, Jr.'s charge of murder and that Viscidi would be tried as a juvenile, although the actual trial was conducted before Judge Arnold B. Kassabian.[3][4]

In 1981, Judge Fortkort was elected Chief Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court.

In 1985, Chief Judge Fortkort was endorsed by the Fairfax Bar Association as a candidate to fill the position on the bench of the Circuit Court by the retirement of Judge Burch Millsap and elected.[5][6]

Judge Fortkort served on the bench of the Circuit Court until 1995, when he retired.

References

  1. ↑ "69 in Area Succeed in Va. Bar Test." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973): 1. Feb 20 1965. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). Web. 23 Feb. 2013.
  2. ↑ "2 Area Lawyers Elected to Judgeships in Virginia." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 1. Feb 19 1977. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). Web. 23 Feb. 2013
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harden, Blaine. "Judge Bars Trial of Larry Viscidi on Murder Count." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 2. Oct 18 1978. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). Web. 23 Feb. 2013.
  4. ↑ Bercovici, Liza. "Juvenile Trial Set for Brother of Billy Viscidi." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 2. Nov 17 1978. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). Web. 23 Feb. 2013>
  5. ↑ Moore, Molly. "2 N. Va. Judges Backed by Bar for New Court." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 1. Aug 20 1983. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). Web. 23 Feb. 2013.
  6. ↑ "Juvenile Judge Chosen." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 1. Feb 22 1985. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1996). Web. 23 Feb. 2013.