Virginia's 17
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Paul Ferguson is seeking a second term as Clerk of the Court; here's his plan:
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- info@fergusonforclerk.com
- 202.253.7806
Paul Ferguson for Clerk of the Circuit Court
Virginia's 17th District, Arlington & Falls Church
Virginia's 17
About Paul
• Paul Ferguson has served as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Arlington County and the City of Falls Church since January 1, 2008.
• Improving technology and communicating with the public are his policy priorities.
• Mr. Ferguson currently serves as the Co-Chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Virginia Court Clerk’s Association (VCCA).
• Paul Ferguson is a 1992 graduate of George Mason Law School.
• Mr. Ferguson served as a Member of the Arlington County Board from 1996-2007, serving as Chairman in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
• In 2014, Paul Ferguson received the Arlington Gay & Lesbian Association (AGLA) Equality Award.
• In 2006, Mr. Ferguson was awarded the President’s Award by the Arlington County Bar Association for Outstanding effort, participation, and involvement in the Association.
• Mr. Ferguson currently serves as the Grants Committee Chairman for the Arlington County Bar Foundation.
• Mr. Ferguson serves on the Board of Directors for NOVA Parks and Earthcraft Virginia. He is a member of the Arlington Kiwanis Club and of Leadership Arlington’s Class of 1999.
• Mr. Ferguson has served as First Vice President of the Virginia Association of Counties.
• He is a former civic association president, a past member of the Virginia Board of Dentistry and former Chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.
• Improving technology and communicating with the public are his policy priorities.
• Mr. Ferguson currently serves as the Co-Chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Virginia Court Clerk’s Association (VCCA).
• Paul Ferguson is a 1992 graduate of George Mason Law School.
• Mr. Ferguson served as a Member of the Arlington County Board from 1996-2007, serving as Chairman in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
• In 2014, Paul Ferguson received the Arlington Gay & Lesbian Association (AGLA) Equality Award.
• In 2006, Mr. Ferguson was awarded the President’s Award by the Arlington County Bar Association for Outstanding effort, participation, and involvement in the Association.
• Mr. Ferguson currently serves as the Grants Committee Chairman for the Arlington County Bar Foundation.
• Mr. Ferguson serves on the Board of Directors for NOVA Parks and Earthcraft Virginia. He is a member of the Arlington Kiwanis Club and of Leadership Arlington’s Class of 1999.
• Mr. Ferguson has served as First Vice President of the Virginia Association of Counties.
• He is a former civic association president, a past member of the Virginia Board of Dentistry and former Chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.
Accomplishments
- Redacted Social Security Numbers from all land records documents to comply with state mandate.
- Implemented automated jury management system which provides the following:
- Permits potential jurors to complete and submit juror questionnaires electronically, as well as in paper form. Approximately 60% of potential jurors utilize electronic submission process.
- Permits jurors summoned for service to check status via the website from fixed and mobile devices, rather than relying on phone call-in system.
- Enables email communications with jurors for faster notification of changes in court’s schedule or service requirements.
- Includes automatic forwarding of juror notices using National Change of Address information, ensuring timely notice of jury service to Arlington residents.
- Reduced jury service from two weeks to four business days or one trial, whichever is shorter, to minimize inconvenience of jury service for Arlington residents
- Created high technology courtrooms in all five Circuit Courtrooms fitted with:
- Enhanced audio/visual capability for the disabled;
- Large display monitors, and audio/video cabinets in each courtroom to facilitate presentation of evidence to jurors;
- Video technology capability for remote witness testimony, including mental health professionals and individuals incarcerated in other jurisdictions.
- Courtroom recording technology to capture courtroom proceedings in certain types of cases.
- Installed docket monitors for Circuit, General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court with case status and courtroom information, replacing paper docket information system.
- Implemented electronic case files for civil and criminal court records, with automated workflows and order generation. This initiative received the County Manager’s 2014 Excellence award.
- Implemented Secure Remote Access to civil and criminal case files, permitting Virginia attorneys to access court records from a remote location, in addition to the Courthouse.
- Converted post-1970 marriage license records from paper to electronic form, facilitating document retrieval and genealogical research.
- Replaced obsolete land records system to provide greater coordination with Department of Real Estate Assessments, enhanced remote access capabilities for subscribers, and electronic recording of land records documents.
- Engaged in comprehensive case and file review effort to close out inactive cases, reducing backlog and facilitating the Court’s docket management initiatives; Facilitated drug court and immediate sanctions initiatives to better assist Arlington residents facing incarceration for serious addiction and other behavioral issues.
- Developed information packet in English and Spanish with sample forms for pro se parties seeking an uncontested divorce.
- Provided bilingual assistance for the public in all sections of the Circuit Court office.
- Participate in numerous Court advisory boards including Community Criminal Justice Board and the Arlington Bar Foundation, and Co-Chairman of the Virginia Circuit Court Clerk’s Association Legislative Committee.
