Trial Justice Court

The Fairfax County Trial Justice Court was the court of minor jurisdiction in Fairfax County from 1932 to 1956.

History

The Virginia Constitution of 1902 abolished the Fairfax County Court, instead creating a system of justices of the peace who were empowered to hear only the most minor of infractions. All other cases were required to be heard before the Circuit Court.

To alleviate some of the backlog of cases produced by this situation and reduce the fees paid to jurors, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted the Trial Justices' Act in a 4-2 vote on June 15, 1932.[1] As originally created, the Trial Justice Court had original jurisdiction over all misdemeanor crimes and all civil cases involving less than $300.

28-year-old Juvenile and Domestic Relations court judge Paul E. Brown was appointed to the bench of the newly-created court by Circuit Court Judge Walter T. McCarthy on June 21, 1932.[2]

In October 1932, Abner C. Ritchie was appointed associate justice of the court by Judge McCarthy.[3]

Judge McCarthy appointed Judge Ritchie judge of the Trial Justice Court on December 28, 1935, following the resignation of Judge Brown, who had been elected Commonwealth's Attorney. Robert McCandlish, Jr. was named associate trial justice upon Ritchie's elevation.[4]

Following Judge Ritchie's death in April, 1943, Harry L. Carrico was appointed by Judge McCarthy to the bench of the court on June 2. Robert W. Stump was appointed substitute trial justice.[5][6]

When Judge Carrico stepped down from the bench to enter private practice, Circuit Court Judge Paul E. Brown appointed Robert C. Fitzgerald to the bench to fill Carrico's unexpired term on May 3, 1951.[7] Judge Brown reappointed both Fitzgerald and substitute justice Ernest N. Hudgins to full terms on July 1, 1954.[8]

Also on July 1, a state law authorizing a second judge for the Trial Justice Court went into effect, and Vienna lawyer John G. Corboy was appointed by Judge Brown on July 28.[9]

On December 9, 1954, Judge Brown appointed Judge Fitzgerald Commonwealth's Attorney to replace Hugh B. Marsh, who resigned to enter private practice.[10]

Judge Brown elevated Judge Corboy to senior trial justice and appointed John A. Rothrock, Jr. as the new associate trial justice on December 17.[11][12]

On July 1, 1956, the Trial Justice Court was replaced by the Fairfax County Court.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "TRIAL JUSTICE CODE ADOPTED IN FAIRFAX." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 17. Jun 16 1932. ProQuest. Web. 15 Sep. 2014.
  2. ↑ "Paul E. Brown Made Judge of New Court in Fairfax." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 11. Jun 22 1932. ProQuest. Web. 14 Sep. 2017.
  3. ↑ "RITCHIE APPOINTED TO BENCH IN FAIRFAX." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 5. Oct 07 1932. ProQuest. Web. 14 Sep. 2017.
  4. ↑ "Ritchie Named Fairfax County Trial Justice." The Washington Post (1923-1954): 6. Dec 29 1935. ProQuest. Web. 14 Sep. 2017.
  5. ↑ "Judge Abner C. Ritchie Rites Set Tomorrow" Evening Star, 27 Apr. 1943, p. 15. NewsBank. Accessed 14 Sep. 2017.
  6. ↑ "Carrico Named Fairfax County Trial Justice" Evening Star, 3 Jun. 1943, NIGHT FINAL, p. 24. NewsBank. Accessed 14 Sep. 2017.
  7. ↑ "R. C. Fitzgerald Named To Replace Carrico As Fairfax Justice" Evening Star, 4 May 1951, Two Star, p. 39. NewsBank. Accessed 14 Sep. 2017.
  8. ↑ "Fitzgerald Reappointed in Fairfax." The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959): 44. Jul 02 1954. ProQuest. Web. 14 Sep. 2017.
  9. ↑ "New Trial Justice Post Filled in Fairfax" Evening Star, 28 Jul. 1954, Two Star, p. 33. NewsBank. Accessed 14 Sep. 2017.
  10. ↑ "Fairfax Trial Justice Named As Commonwealth's Attorney" Evening Star, 9 Dec. 1954, Two Star, p. 8. NewsBank. Accessed 14 Sep. 2017.
  11. ↑ "J. A. Rothrock, Jr., Is Fairfax's New Associate Trial Justice" Evening Star, 17 Dec. 1954, Two Star, p. 4. NewsBank. Accessed 14 Sep. 2017.
  12. ↑ "J. A. Rothrock Named Judge in Fairfax." The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959): 6. Dec 18 1954. ProQuest. Web. 14 Sep. 2017.
  13. ↑ "Heavy Court Load Looms in Fairfax." The Washington Post and Times Herald (1954-1959): 39. Jul 28 1956. ProQuest. Web. 14 Sep. 2017.