With the retirement of Judge Phillip D. Gaujot set at the end of December, Gov. Jim Justice announced Tuesday that he is appointing Perri Jo DeChristopher to fill Gaujot’s seat in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court serving Monongalia County.
“I am humbled by the support I received during this entire process,” DeChristopher said. “I appreciate the Judicial Vacancy Committee for their recommendation and the governor for his support and appointment to this important position.”
DeChristopher has served as prosecuting attorney for Monongalia County for the past two terms and has 28 years of experience as a prosecutor in both Monongalia and Harrison counties.
In addition to practicing law, DeChristopher serves on various boards and committees, including the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Diocese Pastoral Council and the Mon Health Medical Center Board.
She is also a founding member and the chairperson of the board of directors for the Mon Metro Drug Task Force and a member of the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Association, where she served as president from 2018-20.
DeChristopher, who is set to fill the vacancy in January, said she is “excited and ready to start the hard work necessary to be an outstanding judge, which is what Monongalia County deserves.”
