Judge · 4 articles

Judge Heather Ferguson

Heather Ferguson joined Charlatan in 2009.

Heather Ferguson picked up a BA from UNC Chapel Hill before graduating from William and Mary Law School. The former Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor was appointed to a Judgeship in the State of Virginia in 2021 and presides over Roanoke’s 23rd District’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Ferguson also serves on the Court Improvement Program Advisory Committee, teaching legal principles and foster care timelines to social workers and special advocates, and speaks to community groups about foster care, child protective services.

Heather Ferguson resides with her husband and son in the Roanoke Valley, and is proud to have pioneered and penned "Lady Justice: Discovering the spirit of America in her laws.

Articles by Judge Heather Ferguson

Contributors · 19 January 2026

Marriage Equity

United States v Windsor

Edith Windsor took on the United States for slapping her with an estate tax when her spouse died! The Honorable JUDGE HEATHER FERGUSON examines why the Supreme Court cowtowed to Marriage Equality.

Contributors · 27 November 2025

The American Dream

The American Ethos

Its the national ethos of the United States. THE HONORABLE HEATHER FERGUSON suggests that our Founding Fathers might actually be confounded by our spin on their American Dream.

Contributors · 16 November 2025

Accidental Republic

Creating a Republic

America was never intended to be a democracy. The Honorable Judge HEATHER FERGUSON examines the republic we were always meant to be.

Contributors · 19 September 2019

Common Sense

The American Revolution

Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" ignited the Revolutionary War. The Honorable Judge HEATHER FERGUSON explores whether it can save us from avarice and ambition.