Editor’s Note: The following is a part of a series of profiles on candidates running in contested Harrison County primaries in the upcoming May 14 primary election.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — Joe Shaffer is running for the role of Division 2 Harrison County circuit judge.
Biography:
“I am a lifelong Harrison County resident currently residing in Clarksburg with my wife, Suzanne, an elementary school teacher. Our children are Emily Suzanne Shaffer, her husband, Vance Barber, of New York City, and Hannah Jo Shaffer of Philadelphia. I am the son of the late Joseph F. Shaffer Sr. and Martha J. Wolfe Shaffer. I grew up in the North View and Goff Plaza sections of Clarksburg. I graduated from Notre Dame High School. Prior to attending law school, I owned and operated several convenience stores. I have practiced law for 29 years.”
What are your qualifications for circuit judge of Harrison County?
“Law clerk, private firm, two years while in law school; 29 years practicing law in West Virginia; 12 years as Harrison County’s elected prosecuting attorney (98% conviction rate); 17 years in private practice in state & federal courts, handling a wide variety of civil and criminal cases (many went to jury trials), administrative law and child abuse cases; served as legal counsel for the cities of Shinnston and Stonewood, the towns of Lumberport and Lost Creek, and the Harrison County Commission. Presented cases to a grand jury 36 times. Tried homicide and other violent cases to a jury.”
What is your stance on bond?
“My stance on bond, if elected judge, I would follow the law in setting bond for the criminally accused. Bail is to guarantee appearance in court and to protect the community. As prosecuting attorney, I advocated for higher bond amounts for certain individuals such as: Those with previous criminal convictions, those accused of crimes against the elderly and children, those accused of violent crime, those at risk to flee the jurisdiction and not show up for court, those accused of sexual assault, those dealing drugs for profit, those possessing child pornography, those attempting to meet children for sexual purposes and those accused of domestic violence.”
You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Post a comment as Anonymous Commenter
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.