James E. Plowman at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James E. Plowman
Judge · Loudoun Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- James E. Plowman, Jr. is a judge of Virginia’s 20th Judicial Circuit Court, serving Fauquier, Loudoun, and Rappahannock Counties since 2019, with a career that includes 16 years as Loudoun County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney
- In his 2019 letter to the General Assembly, Plowman described the judicial role as a “duty” and emphasized ensuring equal access to the court system and fair administration of justice
- Before becoming a judge, Plowman held the role of Commonwealth’s Attorney for Loudoun County from 2004 until his election to the bench.
- Earlier in his career, he was an assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County (1996–2001) and a trial attorney for Allstate Insurance in Falls Church, VA
- The Loudoun County Clerk’s Office lists him among the circuit court judges, with the Clerk’s Office at 18 E. Market St., Leesburg, VA
- During his tenure as Loudoun County prosecutor, the county’s population grew from ~225,000 to over 400,000, and he credited cooperative law enforcement for maintaining the county’s safety
Education
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1996 Licensed to practice in Virginia (1996) and the District of Columbia (2002).
- in Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — B.A. (1989)
Additional information
- Plowman has been involved in high-profile decisions, including a 2022 ruling removing the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office from a burglary case after he found the plea agreement’s facts “misleading and inaccurate”.
- Elected by the Virginia General Assembly on February 14, 2019 to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey W. Parker.
- The case, involving defendant Kevin Enrique Valle, was reassigned to a new prosecution office
- Plowman’s decision drew media attention and ethical discussions.
- He presides over cases in the 20th Judicial Circuit, which covers Loudoun, Fauquier, and Rappahannock Counties.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Cell Phones And Electronic Devices
Statewide
Virginia courts commonly restrict cell phones and other electronic devices in court buildings; counsel and litigants should check the local court policy before arrival.
Most courts in Virginia do not allow you to bring a cell phone or other electronic device into the building.Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster ↗Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy ↗