Thread by @JusticeFwdVa

So, just the intern here—bosses are “out of town” and I’m left to my own devices, I mean what could go wrong!? This lawyer guy poses what seems like a good question about Va. Court of Appeals judges, cool, i’m going investigate! We’ll see if I still have a “job” Mon.,A THREAD: 1/

So, check it, this hunky att’y replies to a tweet, he’s like, “does anyone know how many former Public Defenders have ever been appointed to Va’s Court of Appeals?” And I’m like, nope, but here’s my big research opportunity, you know, impress the bosses. 2/

https://twitter.com/rexflynnesq/status/1424477212426833922?s=21

So the GA is filling 8 judgeships. I decide to do a little digging, google’s badass, and I find this chronology, whatever you call it, it’s a list of all the judges who’ve been on the Virginia Court of Appeals since its inception in 1985: scvahistory.org/chronological-… 3/

For context, the Court of Appeals reviews decisions of the circuit courts in domestic relations matters, traffic infractions, criminal cases, appeals from admin agencies, & decisions of the VWCC. Pretty much any of you could find yourselves there at some point. 4/

I comb through the list of current and former judges, and now I’m all like, “I’m going to need to call somebody cause I’ve totally uncovered some crazy ____ fill in the blank!” (I like my “job”):

There’s never been a public defender on the Court of Appeals! 5/

It’s already pretty damning the current makeup of the Court of Appeals is 70% former prosecutors & AG’s! With 8 seats to fill, there best be 8 public defenders, legal aid, or civil rights attorneys appointed by @VASenateDems @VAHouseDems....IF they believe in a balanced Court. 6/

Since 1985, ZERO (give or take) public defenders have been appointed to the Va. Court of Appeals! More than 70% of felony cases in state courts are handled by public defenders, and over 50% of petitions to COA are criminal, so why no professional diversity on the bench?! 7/

The future of the Ct of Appeals rests in the hands of Dem leadership. EMAIL: @EFillerCorn @C_Herring @DickSaslaw @Edwards4VA @RipSullivan48 @SenLouiseLucas
Demand that they restore balance to the Court by appointing public defenders to the appellate bench.

https://twitter.com/rexflynnesq/status/1424531533218648068?s=21