W. Mark Ashford
Mark Ashford was a district court judge for District 4 in Nebraska. He served in this position from 2000 to 2018. He also served on the Douglas County Adult Drug Court from 2008 to 2018.[1][2] Ashford passed away in August 2018.[3]
Education
Ashford received his B.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1974 and his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 1978.
He also participated in the School of Law Prosecutor's Education Course (1984), the National College of District Attorneys (1981-1988), the National Judicial College (since 1989) and was a member of the National College of Probate Judges (1990-2000).[1]
Career
Ashford began his legal career in 1980, working in the Douglas County Attorney's Office. In 1988, he was appointed a judge of the County Court (4th Judicial District). He served as the presiding judge of this court in 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Ashford was appointed district judge in 2000. He served as the presiding judge of the 4th District Court in 2007. In 2008, he became a judge of the Douglas County Adult Drug Court.[1]
Elections
2016
Nebraska held retention elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run for retention was August 1, 2016.[4] Mark Ashford was retained in the Nebraska District 4, Seat 4 election with 68.25 percent of the vote. [5]
| Nebraska District 4, Seat 4, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
 Mark Ashford | 68.25% | |
| Source: Nebraska Secretary of State, "Unofficial Results: General Election - November 8, 2016: Judicial," accessed November 9, 2016 | ||
2010
- See also: Nebraska judicial elections, 2010
Ashford was retained to the 4th District Court with 67.72 percent of the vote in 2010.[6][7]
2012 judicial performance evaluation
Every two years, the Nebraska State Bar Association compiles responses from lawyers to evaluate judges in the state. Subjects are rated in seven categories, then a determination is made for whether the judge should be retained. The seven categories considered are: legal analysis; impartiality; attentiveness; opinions; judicial temperament and demeanor; appropriate communication; and timeliness.
89.1 percent of respondents stated that Judge Ashford should be retained to the 4th District Court. To read the full evaluation, see: Nebraska State Bar Association, 2012 Evaluation Results.
Judicial selection method
- See also: Assisted appointment
The 55 judges of the Nebraska District Courts are appointed by the governor with help from a nominating commission. When a vacancy occurs on one of the courts, a judicial nominating commission submits the names of at least two qualified candidates to the governor, who appoints one to fill the vacancy. If the governor fails to appoint a candidate within 60 days, the chief justice of the state supreme court is authorized to select a new judge.[8][9]
Judges serve initial terms of three years, at which point they must run in yes-no retention elections occurring during the next general election. Subsequent terms last six years.[8]
The chief judge of each district court is chosen by peer vote.[8]
To serve on one of the Nebraska District Courts, a judge must be:[8]
- a U.S. citizen;
- a state resident;
- a resident of the district he or she represents (for district judges);
- over the age of 30;
- experienced with more than five years of state practice; and
- a member of the state bar.
See also
External links
- State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "Honorable W. Mark Ashford," accessed May 30, 2014
- State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "District Court Judge Address List," accessed May 30, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "Honorable W. Mark Ashford," accessed May 30, 2014
- ↑ State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "District Court Judge Address List," accessed May 30, 2014
- ↑ WOWT News, "Judge Mark Ashford found dead in courthouse," August 1, 2018
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "2016 Election Calendar," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "Judicial Candidate List for retention in office," August 1, 2016
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "2010 General Election Results," accessed October 9, 2015
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State, "Judges running for retention"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Nebraska," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Nebraska; Judicial Nominating Commissions," archived January 13, 2012
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Nebraska • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Nebraska
State courts:
Nebraska Supreme Court • Nebraska Court of Appeals • Nebraska District Courts • Nebraska County Courts • Nebraska Separate Juvenile Courts • Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court • Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts
State resources:
Courts in Nebraska • Nebraska judicial elections • Judicial selection in Nebraska