7 Lawyers Throw Hat Into Ring for Raley's Circuit Court Seat


By David Noss

CALIFORNIA, Md. (July 25, 2011)—Seven attorneys have applied to the Maryland Judicial Nominating Commission to be considered for the judgeship vacancy in the Circuit Court for St. Mary's County. Judge C. Clarke Raley confirmed in early January 2011 that he would retire from the bench on April 30, 2011.

The seven attorneys who will now be considered for the position are: David Wylie Densford, Bryan Timothy Dugan, Alfred Antonio Lacer, Alfred Shane Mattingly, Joseph Michael Stanalonis, James Lee Tanavage, and Theodore Paul Weiner.

Applications were due to the State by close of business last Friday.

Each Circuit Court judge is appointed by the Governor (with Senate confirmation) and then must stand for election. The Nominating Commission meets to interview all candidates and then votes on which names to submit to the Governor for his ultimate decision.

The judge's name is placed on the ballot in the first general election that occurs at least one year following the vacancy the judge was appointed to fill. The judge may be opposed formally by one or more qualified members of the bar, with the successful candidate being elected to a fifteen-year term.

The Commission is currently scheduled to meet on September 13 to consider the St. Mary's County seat. The list of nominees is typically submitted to the Governor on the same day, according to the Judiciary Web site.

The Commission encourages the public to participate in the selection process by submitting written and signed comments concerning the qualifications of an applicant to The Judicial Nominating Commission, c/o The Administrative Office of the Courts, Program Services, 2001-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

RELATED INFORMATION:

Guy Leonard. "Judge Raley to Retire After Nearly 30 Years." The County Times, January 03, 2011.
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2011/13009.shtml

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