The NC District Court hears civil cases involving less than $25,000 and criminal misdemeanors. District Court also oversees juvenile court and the magistrates, which handle things like small claims and evictions. Judges are elected for 4 year terms. There are 282 judges in 41 districts across the state, most of them covering either one or two counties. Legislation in 2023 numerically realigned/renumbered the District Court and other court districts to align with the Prosecutorial districts.
Position/philosophy statement
I’m running for District Court Judge to uphold the Constitution, protect the rights of all, interpret the law impartially without fear or favor, and treat everyone with kindness and compassion.
Current Occupation
Attorney
Age (optional)
61
Campaign Phone
863-529-8312
I believe our County deserves a judge who will be kind, compassionate and thoughtful. I’ve practiced in the Buncombe County District Court since 2006, and I’ve developed a keen understanding of how the court works, as well as clear ideas for how it could be improved. I’ve donated thousands of hours of pro bono representation, assisting hundreds of survivors of domestic violence obtain orders protecting them from their abusers, and helped numerous minority-owned businesses with business law issues. I've served on non-profit boards and as president of my kids' school's PTO. I believe that my record of service and demonstrated devotion to justice for all makes me uniquely qualified to serve on the District Court bench.
A judicial candidate's political party platform should not play any role in how they perform their work as a judge. A judge's rulings should be unbiased and based solely on law and facts. As the American Bar Association's Code of Conduct states: "Even when subject to public election, a judge plays a role different from that of a legislator or executive branch official. Rather than making decisions based upon the expressed views or preferences of the electorate, a judge makes decisions based upon the law and the facts of every case. Therefore, in furtherance of this interest, judges and judicial candidates must, to the greatest extent possible, be free and appear to be free from political influence and political pressure." Rule 4.1, com. 1.
I have practiced in every court in the County. I've helped spouses end their marriages and divide their property and the custody of their children. I've helped children break free from parents who've abandoned them and then become adopted into loving households. I've helped hundreds of domestic abuse survivors obtain protective orders and other remedies, always pro bono. I've assisted stalking victims as they navigate the processes to bring their stalkers to justice through the criminal system, where the DA's office support has been lacking, also pro bono. I've represented hundreds of people accused of breaking the criminal law, ensuring they are treated fairly. I've helped teachers get back pay they are owed.
Over the years, I have observed that no one wants to go to court. All around the courthouse, I see misery, anxiety and fear. People are re-living the worst days of their lives. Victims are re-traumatized by the system and the people who caused their trauma in the first place. No one is happy to be there. Eventually, just about everyone there has to visit the cashier to pay a sum of money that seems arbitrary, just so they can put the matter behind them. I believe judges have the obligation to ameliorate that misery whereever they can. They must treat everyone – defendants, plaintiffs, bailiffs, attorneys, court staff – with respect and kindness. One quality that I have that will serve me well in this regard is my kindness. I smile a lot. I'm self-deprecating in my humor. I will listen to everyone, and make sure that everyone feels heard. That’s all any litigant really wants – to know that the person deciding their case listened with kindness and compassion. That's the person I will be.
