Judges; nominations for election to circuit court.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on how the nominees will be elected or confirmed, nor what happens if any nominee declines the nomination.

Nomination of Judges to Virginia's Circuit Courts

This bill nominates specific individuals to be elected as judges in various circuit courts across Virginia.

What This Bill Does

• Nominates Rufus A. Banks, Jr., for the First Judicial Circuit starting July 1, 2026.
• Nominates Stephen C. Mahan and Jonathan L. Stone for the Second Judicial Circuit with different start dates in 2026.
• Names Michael A. Gaten to serve on the Eighth Judicial Circuit beginning July 1, 2026.
• Selects Jane M. Reynolds and Charles D. Clark for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit starting April 1, 2026.
• Chooses Dale B. Durrer, Michael F. Devine, and Marin B. Greene to serve on the Sixteenth and Nineteenth Judicial Circuits with different start dates in 2026.
• Appoints Charles N. Dorsey for the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit starting July 1, 2026.
• Nominates Joel R. Branscom for the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit starting February 1, 2026.
• Nominates Michael Lee Moore and Brian K. Patton for the Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit with different start dates in 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• People nominated to become circuit court judges in Virginia.

Terms To Know

Judicial Circuit

A region or area within a state where courts have jurisdiction over legal matters.

Nominated

Officially suggested for an important position, like being chosen to be a judge.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the nominees will be elected or confirmed.
• It is unclear what happens if any of the nominees do not accept their nominations.

Official Summary Text

Nominating persons to be elected to circuit court judgeships.

Current Bill Text

Nominating persons to be elected to circuit court judgeships.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 21, 2026
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the following persons are hereby nominated to be elected to the respective circuit court judgeships as follows:
The Honorable Rufus A. Banks, Jr., of Chesapeake, as a judge of the First Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing July 1, 2026.
The Honorable Stephen C. Mahan, of Virginia Beach, as a judge of the Second Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing October 1, 2026.
The Honorable Jonathan L. Stone, of Virginia Beach, as a judge of the Second Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing February 1, 2026.
The Honorable Michael A. Gaten, of Hampton, as a judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing July 1, 2026.
The Honorable Jane M. Reynolds, of Stafford, as a judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing April 1, 2026.
Charles D. Clark, Esquire, of Hanover, as a judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing April 1, 2026.
The Honorable Dale B. Durrer, of Culpeper, as a judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing July 1, 2026.
The Honorable Michael F. Devine, of Fairfax County, as a judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing April 1, 2026.
Marin B. Greene, Esquire, of Fairfax County, as a judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing July 1, 2026.
The Honorable Charles N. Dorsey, of Salem, as a judge of the Twenty-third Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing July 1, 2026.
The Honorable Joel R. Branscom, of Botetourt, as a judge of the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing February 1, 2026.
The Honorable Michael Lee Moore, of Russell, as a judge of the Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing April 1, 2026.
The Honorable Brian K. Patton, of Russell, as a judge of the Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit for a term of eight years commencing July 1, 2026.