DONNIE JOHNSTON
THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Culpeper County assistant commonwealth attorney Dale Durrer Thursday night received the Culpeper Bar Association’s endorsement for circuit court judge by unanimous resolution.
Durrer, one of five candidates who are seeking the 16th Judicial District judgeship left vacant when Jack Berry left the bench on Jan. 31, began his legal career at the Culpeper law firm of Davies, Barrell, Will, Lewellyn & Edwards and has now worked in the commonwealth attorney’s office for nine years.
He and the four other candidates—Manassas attorney Paul Walla, assistant Orange County commonwealth attorney Rick Moore, Goochland assistant commonwealth attorney  Claiborne Stokes, Jr., and Culpeper/Madison attorney Mike Sharman—all presented their credentials to the Bar Association at a special meeting.
The three assistant commonwealth attorneys focused on their prosecution backgrounds but all added that they also had experience as defense attorneys and had been involved in civil litigation.
Durrer told the 20 attorneys present that he often needs to use discretion when prosecuting cases and that “discretion is something that a judge has to have.”
He added that he is seeking the job because “it is important that Culpeper has a voice on the bench.”
None of the current four judges in the 16th Judicial District are from Culpeper.
Moore said that he has practiced law in four different jurisdictions including Augusta County, Albemarle County, Charlottesville and Orange County, and has carefully observed the judges in those courts.
“The best way to be a good circuit court judge is to watch a good circuit court judge,” he said.
He added that he believes judges should treat people and lawyers in a “fair and just” manner.
Stokes, who has worked either full or part time at the Goochland commonwealth attorney’s office for 18 years, said he was drafted by a number of his peers to seek the job.
Nine years ago Stokes unsuccessfully sought a 16th Judicial District judgeship.
The Richmond native said, “I would love to be a circuit court judge.”
Walla was born in West Virginia and grew up in upstate New York. The 62-year-old attorney, a graduate of the George Mason University Law School, taught 10 years at Gallaudet University and worked for the Inova Hospital system before becoming a lawyer in 1989.
He also worked for one year on his Phd at Catholic University. “I know what people are all about,” he said.
The General Assembly may select from these candidates or appoint someone else of their own choosing.
There is also speculation that the fifth judge’s position might not be funded at all and that the four current judges—Tim Sanner, Dan Bouton, Cheryl Higgins and Edward Hogshire—will be forced to Berry’s territory—Culpeper and Fluvanna.
A Virginia circuit court judgeship job pays about $150,000 a year.