VOTE411 Voter Guide

I have proudly served Mecklenburg County as an Assistant Public Defender, where I represented more than 800 individuals in District Court and tried over 20 cases to successful outcomes.

Since entering private practice, I have traveled throughout North Carolina District and Superior Courts, continuing to try cases and advocate for clients across the state.

In addition to my courtroom work, I have dedicated countless hours to pro bono service, conducting Know Your Rights trainings, will clinics, and expunction clinics. Through this work, I have helped give back to North Carolinians, especially residents of Mecklenburg County by expanding access to justice and empowering individuals with legal knowledge and resources.

Although I am running in a partisan judicial election, the platform of any political party will play no role in my work as a judge. My duty on the bench will be to uphold the Constitution and laws of North Carolina and the United States, as well as follow binding precedent, and to decide each case based solely on the facts and the law.

Judicial independence and impartiality are essential to public trust in the courts.

I bring extensive, hands-on experience in criminal and family-related matters from both public defense and private practice. As an Assistant Public Defender in Mecklenburg County, I represented more than 800 individuals in District Court, handling misdemeanor matters, bond hearings, and trials. In private practice, I have continued to represent clients in criminal, family, and juvenile-related cases across North Carolina District and Superior Courts. I have also provided pro bono services through Know Your Rights trainings and expunction clinics, which deepened my understanding of how court decisions impact families and children. My experience equips me to handle these matters with fairness, efficiency, and compassion.

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I am the incumbent District Court Judge with more than two decades of courtroom experience. I preside over criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and domestic violence matters and manage high-volume dockets involving complex legal and human issues. I was appointed to the bench in 2022 by Governor Roy Cooper and later elected by voters to continue serving. My experience as both a trial attorney and judge has strengthened my ability to listen carefully, apply the law impartially, manage proceedings efficiently, and treat every person who comes before the court with dignity and respect.

Judicial candidates in North Carolina run in partisan elections, but once elected, a judge’s duty is to the Constitution, the law, and the facts of each case—not to any political party. Party platforms do not play a role in my judicial decision-making. In my courtroom, cases are decided based on statutes, binding precedent, and due process. My responsibility is to ensure fairness, impartiality, and equal treatment for everyone, regardless of political belief or background.

I have extensive experience handling family, criminal, and juvenile cases, both as a judge and earlier in my legal career. On the bench, I preside over matters involving families in crisis, victims seeking protection, criminal defendants, and juveniles requiring individualized consideration. I also previously practiced as an Assistant Federal Public Defender, which provided significant trial experience and a strong foundation in constitutional protections. These experiences guide my careful, case-by-case approach, ensuring decisions are grounded in the law while recognizing the serious impact court rulings have on individuals and families.

I have remained actively engaged in civic and educational service throughout my legal career. I regularly speak with law students—particularly women and first-generation students—at institutions including Duke University, UNC–Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, Elon University, and Campbell University about careers in public service and the judiciary.

I also volunteer as a mentor through programs such as Lunch with a Lawyer and participate in courthouse outreach, including Court Camp, where I speak with students about the justice system and civic responsibility. Earlier in my career, I served as President and Treasurer of the Hispanic Latino Lawyers Bar of Charlotte and have mentored law students, young professionals, and youth through educational and community programs. I remain actively involved in the Mecklenburg County Bar and serve on the Board of Directors.