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NC DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 31 SEAT 04

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.

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  • Candidate picture

    Cheryl Andrews McDonald
    (DEM)

  • Candidate picture

    Lauren A. Tuttle
    (DEM)

Biographical Information

What experience and skills make you the best candidate for this office? (Max. 750 characters)

You are running for a partisan judicial position. What role does the platform of your political party play in your work as a judge on the court? (Max. 750 characters)

What experiences do you bring to the kind of cases likely to come before you in the areas of family law, criminal law and juvenile justice issues? (Max. 750 characters)

Additional Comments (Max. 1000 characters)

Position/philosophy statement Experience Matters in the Courtroom. Judgment matters on the Bench. After 20 years of legal service, Judge McDonald Brings Both.
Campaign Mailing Address P.O. BOX 20144
WINSTON SALEM, NC 27120
Current Occupation District Court Judge, Forsyth County
Age (optional) 47
Campaign Phone 7439992065
Campaign Website http://www.judgemcdonald.com
I graduated from UNCG with honors - Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. I graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2006. I began my legal career in public service with the Public Defender’s Office. I learned to manage heavy caseloads and make informed decisions under pressure. In 2010, I went into private practice where I expanded my legal experience into all the types of cases we handle in District Court. After 19 years of practice, my peers nominated me to NC Governor Josh Stein for appointment to the District Court bench. The Governor appointed me in 2025. As a judge I use my 20 years of experience, to preside with wisdom, fairness, and real-world understanding of the law. I preside with firmness, respect, and compassion.
Political party plays no role in the administration of justice. The law is not subject to interpretation based upon political ideation. A judge’s responsibility is to apply the law fairly, accurately, with humility and understanding. It is my duty to apply the law accurately and fairly in each situation without any agenda, bias, or platform.
I practiced law for 19 years representing all types of people with varying life experiences and perspectives in family law, criminal, and juvenile justice cases. I’ve worked on hundreds of these types of cases and gained the understanding of how to apply the law to differing facts, perspectives and personalities. While protecting the rights of my clients. I’ve worked in these fields for 20 years and learned to listen to the parties as human beings and communicate the law so that each client was informed, trusted in my counsel and was able to make informed decisions about their cases. I know what the parties must do to prepare for court and I use that experience to hear these cases.
The reason I became a lawyer; is the same reason I became a judge. It is because fundamentally and at its core, I believe in our justice and legal system. I believe that if every person in each and every position fulfills their role ethically and fully performs their duties, the system should reach the correct and just result. While the correct and just result does not mean that all parties to the case are pleased with the outcome, it should mean that all parties know that they had the tools and opportunity to have their case heard and that the law was applied impartially and correctly. This is how the system is meant to work, and I believe this is how it can work when each participant in the system fulfills their ethical obligation and legal duty. I have witnessed and participated in many proceedings where justice has been served through conscientious and deliberate effort.
Position/philosophy statement Equity. Empathy. Efficiency. Judges must know the law, respect the law, and most importantly apply the law.
Campaign Mailing Address 2930 BURLWOOD DR
WINSTON SALEM, NC 27103
Current Occupation Assistant Public Defender
Campaign Phone (336)582-0030
Campaign Email lajokinen@hotmail.com
Judges do not pick sides. Judges listen carefully and then independently and objectively apply the law. I will come prepared everyday to treat all who come before me equally. I can handle the high stakes decisions made from the bench. Whether it be a child's best interest, impact on one's livelihood or potentially forever alter an individuals future in Criminal Court. I will be focused, attentive, and neutral. Being impartial is not passive, it's active. This requires discipline, as an Assistant Public Defender our caseloads are large and require great attention to detail, while being efficient with superior time management. I have that discipline. My name is Lauren Tuttle I am asking for your vote, I thank you for your trust.
Here in Forsyth County the Democratic party is focused on families, freedoms, and futures. Citizens of Forsyth County deserve a Judge they can trust, a Judge that has experience and is prepared to uphold the commitment and sacredness of being a public servant. As a Public Defender I have dedicated my life to serving the public. For most people coming to the courthouse is a cause for stress, anxiety and concern. Decisions made by Judges almost always impact families, freedoms, and futures. Every case will be heard carefully on its individual merits and the law will be impartially applied. When appropriate a judgement will embody both accountability and mercy. Justice; no matter where you live, what you look like, or what you earn.
I have been with the Public Defenders Office for the last 5 years. Prior to this, I worked as a solo practitioner wearing many hats; attorney, office manager, paralegal, bookkeeper, and any other job required to make an office run. I have also worked for a firm as an Associate in the private sector; handling criminal cases, family law matters, personal injury as well as child support court, abuse and neglect cases along with other civil disputes.
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