Close seeks re-election

Liz Mitchell / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: May 9, 2007

Gary Close remembers when Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court convened only once a week with a docket short enough that the judge could go home before lunch.

Now, even Culpeper County Circuit Court convenes daily and the challenges Close's office faces are different than the quieter Culpeper where he got his start.

Close, 49, has served as commonwealth's attorney for the past 16 years and is seeking re-election for a fifth term.

He started in Culpeper as a reporter for the Star-Exponent and discovered a journalist's pay wasn't going to support his family.

He then went to law school at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. Upon graduating he came back to Culpeper to work for Button Yeaman and Associates until he opened his own practice and then ran for office.

If re-elected, Close plans to "continue providing tough but fair prosecution."

With four prosecutors on staff and approval for one more from the county, Close said he believes his office can handle growing caseloads.

Aside from the sheer volume of cases his office is now dealing with, Close said another challenge is the influx of suspected illegal immigrants who come through the judicial system.

"That has really had an impact in a number of different ways," he said. "One way is the aspect of translating language; it slows down court because you need everything said twice - in English and Spanish. Also, in terms of cultural differences that can cause some problems not just in prosecuting but the entirety of the case."

If Close suspects a defendant to be an illegal immigrant, he is required to report the case to Immigration Customs Enforcement. To date, he has reported 1,200 names.

Close is seeking the Republican nomination at the mass meeting May 17. He's running against defense attorney Kevin Smith.

Smith, 50, announced his plans last month in conjunction with Major Jim Branch of the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, who is running for sheriff in November.

Smith has said rumors circulating about animosity between Sheriff H. Lee Hart and Close concern him.

It's no secret the two have feuded publicly over political matters.

With the recent state police investigation of the Sheriff's Office, some wonder what involvement Close had in reporting the allegations filed against Hart in 2004 by Sgt. Scott Jenkins.

Jenkins resigned from the Sheriff's Office that year and now works for the Culpeper Police Department. He is challenging Branch for the sheriff's position.

Close would not comment on the investigation or his involvement.

If re-elected Close plans to expand the Victims/Witness program by bringing in more training opportunities. He helped establish the program in 1994.

Recently, Close restructured his office to institute a form of vertical prosecution, which allows prosecutors to follow most cases through the court system from charging to final sentencing.

Close typically handles murder cases or other serious crimes.
"The role of prosecutor is an important function in the criminal justice system," he said. "In many ways a prosecutor creates a criminal justice culture in which high ethical standards either flourish or flounder. It is my goal to continue to expect the best from my prosecutors, law enforcement and the defense bar."

Liz Mitchell can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or

Meet Gary Close
Who: commonwealth's attorney, seeking re-election
Age: 49
Family: Married to Linda Lawson, two grown children
Education: English degree from the University of Virginia - Wise, law degree from the College of William and Mary
Community service: Culpeper Ruritan Club, Culpeper Jaycees, Culpeper Christian School Board of Directors, South East Street Neighborhood Watch, Sunday school teacher and deacon at Culpeper Baptist Church and Stevensburg Baptist Church, Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program Chairman, Culpeper School Oversight Committee, Culpeper Republican Committee