|
 |
The Honorable
Rossie Alston Jr. |
|
By Keith Walker
Published: February 12, 2009
The Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday elected Prince William Circuit Court Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr., to the Virginia Court of Appeals.
Alston, a lifelong resident of Prince William County and a1975 graduate of Gar-Field High School, was elevated to circuit court judge in 2001 after three years as a juvenile and domestic relations district judge.
In 2007, he was elected by his peers as chief judge of the 31st Judicial District in Prince William County, replacing Chief Judge LeRoy F. Millette, Jr., who was appointed the Virginia Supreme Court by Gov. Tim Kaine.
The General Assembly also confirmed Millette to the court on Wednesday.
Millette gained national recognition when he presided at the trial of D.C. sniper John Allen Muhammad.
Alston, who graduated from Averett University in Danville in 1979 and the North Carolina Central University law school in 1982, said he was ‘humbled” by the appointment.
“My wife and I were talking last night about how it’s overwhelming. I grew up in Dale City and I was just excited when I passed the bar and got to be a lawyer,” the 51-year-old Alston said.
“To think that I am going to be given the privilege to serve on the Court of Appeals is something that’s almost unfathomable for me,” he said.
Before being appointed to the bench in Prince William County, Alston had a trial practice where he specialized in criminal defense.
Alston’s name was not considered until last week and he said he was thinking of other things
“I was up for appointment to the circuit bench. My primary goal was to make sure I could continue to feed my family,” Alston said. “I really didn’t focus on the court of appeals at all.”
Alston said he was thankful that members of the Prince William Delegation suggested his appointment.
“I am so appreciative of our legislative delegation for supporting me and my candidacy. I’ll say this without any reservation at all; our jurisdiction has the finest legislative group in the state,”
Alston said.
He also said he was ”really thankful for the opportunity” and hoped that the “citizens of Prince William County have been pleased with the work that I’ve tried to accomplish.”
Alston expects to leave the Prince William County bench some time in March. |
