Judge Pamela O’Berry, currently the longest-serving Black judge in Chesterfield County, is facing removal after 12 years on the bench in Chesterfield General District Court.

The Free Press has learned that Judge O’Berry was not included on the state Senate’s list of lower court judges to be reappointed to new six-year terms, though her name was included on the House of Delegates list. Unless the Senate in a floor vote reinstates her, Judge O’Berry would not receive the required support from both chambers and would have to step down when her term ends this year.

Currently, Judge O’Berry is one of only two Black judges in Chesterfield County and the lone woman on the county’s General District Court.

Judge O’Berry has not been available for comment and is generally barred by judicial canons from speaking to the media.

However, supporters are expressing outrage that she now appears likely to be unseated and blame state Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey for leading the effort to remove her.

Behind the scenes, Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn has been lobbying hard for support for the judge, but as a House member, she does not have the influence to affect the Senate’s decision.

If Judge O’Berry is not reappointed, both chambers could select a replacement. Two Black attorneys are believed to be among the candidates under consideration.

While Judge O’Berry apparently has not been the subject of any ethics complaints, her reappointment has been controversial. She has received high marks from some attorneys and from James Holland, chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, but also has drawn significant opposition from others.

At a public hearing on her reappointment in mid-December, members of the county’s delegation heard a mix of praise and criticism of her performance on the bench. Even the NAACP has split, with the state NAACP providing a letter of support in an attempt to counter the Chesterfield County NAACP Branch’s negative assessment of the judge.