Voters in Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, and Stephens Counties are in the 5th Judicial District. District judges are elected every four years. Elections are non-partisan. Judges are not allowed to publicly discuss their party affiliation when running for a judicial office. District Court judges hear civil (unlimited jurisdiction), felony, probate and juvenile matters.The court is made up of:Presiding Judge – elected by the State District Court Judiciary to assist in the administration of the State’s trial courts. These judges represent different geographic areas and meet monthly with members of the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals to discuss trends, topics and developments that affect the administration of justice in OklahomaFour Associate District Judges - one representing each county. These judges are elected by the voters in each specific county.Four District Court Judges These judges are elected by all Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, and Stephens County voters in the General Election.Races that have only two candidates who file for the office will automatically advance to the General Election ballot.Races that have three or more candidates will appear on the Primary Ballot for their particular County. The two candidates with the most votes will advance to the General Election- Incumbent judges who seek to retain office file as candidates.- Judicial candidates who run unopposed are automatically elected to that judicial office.- There are no run-off elections for District Judge offices.- Salaries are established by the Board of Judicial Compensation, except when overturned by the Legislature. District Court Judges are employees of the State of Oklahoma.
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Neil West earned his Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1997 and his Bachelor of Arts in Government from New Mexico State University in 1991, with a supplemental major in Law, Society, and Morality, and a minor in Economics.
His legal career has included service as an Assistant District Attorney in Comanche County, Assistant City Attorney and City Prosecutor for Lawton, Mental Health Court Coordinator, and defense attorney with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, as well as private practice.
For more than 25 years, Neil has been active in community organizations, including March of Dimes, Relay for Life, Teen Court, Arts for All, Lawton Community Theatre, the McMahon Memorial Auditorium Authority Board, and Southwest Pride Barbershop Chorus. He has served as a Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church.
He is seeking election as District Judge, Office 1, in Oklahoma's Fifth Judicial District, serving Comanche, Stephens, Cotton, and Jefferson counties.
My 29-year legal career spans prosecution, criminal defense, municipal law, and private practice. As Lawton's municipal prosecutor, I handled approximately 25,000 traffic, ordinance, and misdemeanor cases, advised the city, and helped draft municipal codes. As a Comanche County Assistant District Attorney, I prosecuted juvenile cases, handled child abuse and neglect proceedings, coordinated Mental Health Court, and tried over 30 jury cases.
As an Oklahoma Indigent Defense System attorney, I represent clients in criminal and juvenile proceedings, including matters involving competency, mental health, substance abuse, and Drug Court. In private practice, I handled divorce, custody, bankruptcy, and personal injury matters and served on the federal Criminal Justice Act panel.
I have appeared in court regularly since 1997, practicing in the Fifth Judicial District and other Oklahoma districts before numerous judges. My work includes trials before judges and juries, appellate briefs, and representing clients across a broad range of legal circumstances.
My 29 years practicing before numerous judges have taught me that judicial temperament, preparation, clarity, and impartiality are essential. I admire judges who remain composed under pressure, listen patiently, treat everyone with dignity, and explain their rulings clearly.
Representing clients facing mental health challenges, substance abuse, and difficult personal circumstances has strengthened my ability to listen, earn trust, and communicate with people who may struggle to understand or explain their situations.
I believe a judge should arrive prepared, understand the issues, make clear decisions, and move cases forward without unnecessary delay. Prosecutors and defense attorneys deserve equal respect, as do litigants and court staff. Courtesy and appropriate levity have a place even in serious proceedings.
Above all, a judge must set aside personal preferences and biases, evaluate the facts, and faithfully apply the law, consistent with constitutional requirements and binding precedent. My responsibility would be to uphold the law, not substitute my personal opinions for it.
