Lower Providence man seeks district judge seat
LOWER PROVIDENCE >> After serving his country in the U.S. Navy and working more than a decade as a deputy sheriff, Charles Hall of Lower Providence says he’d like to continue serving his community by becoming a magisterial district judge.
Hall, 39, announced his intention to seek nomination, during the May 18 primary election, for district court judge in Montgomery County’s Magisterial District Court 38-1-20, which covers Lower Providence and part of Upper Providence and the boroughs of Collegeville and Trappe.
“My entire life, I’ve held jobs that were in service of others. I am personally fulfilled in knowing that I am helping others and making a difference,” Hall, who has worked as a deputy sheriff in Berks County since 2010, said during a recent interview. “Now, I’m ready to be of service to the community I live in. I think it’s the next step for me to serve.”
The post is currently held by District Court Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar.
District court judges are elected to six-year terms and preside over criminal preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings, summary criminal offenses, traffic offenses, municipal code violations, landlord/ tenant disputes, and civil claims where damages do not exceed $12,000.
Hall served with the U.S Navy from June 2005 through June 2010, stationed aboard the aircraft carrier CVN-71 Theodore Roosevelt and was deployed twice in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, according to his biography.
“I want to serve, that’s all I know as far as my work experience goes. Also, growing up, being a child of foster care and seeing people dedicate their lives to other people, that’s what I want to do for the community I live in,” said Hall, who is a 2003 graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management.
“This is just a culmination of a personal fulfillment to give back to the community,” Hall added.
Working as a deputy sheriff, Hall said he’s gained knowledge about the operations of district courts and the role district judges play in the community.
“It’s allowed me to observe both criminal and civil cases. I’ve gained insight to the inner workings of the court system,” said Hall, a married father of two daughters.
Hall has also served his local community as a Watchdogs Volunteer at Woodland Elementary School in the Methacton School District.
Candidates for district court judge are elected in odd-numbered years by voters in the municipalities that constitute their magisterial district.
Under state law, candidates seeking nominations for district court judge can file nominating petitions to appear on the ballots of both the Democratic and Republican parties because they are considered to be non-political positions. The top Republican and the top Democratic vote-getters will move on to November’s general election ballot.
However, if one candidate manages to garner enough votes to be the top vote-getter for both parties on May 18, then that person would win the post during the primary election.
Montgomery County maintains 30 district courts strategically located throughout the county.