District Court Judge District 16 Seat 2: Doretta Walker

Name: Doretta LaShawn Walker

Age: 58

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: electdorettawalkerjudge.com

Occupation and employer: District Court Judge, State of North Carolina

1. What in your record as a public official or private citizen demonstrates your ability to be effective, fair, and impartial on the bench? What do you believe qualifies you to serve as a district court judge? Please include your experience relevant to civil and criminal law.

I have served as a District Court Judge since 2011. I was first elected in 2010. I have presided over cases in all of the district courts. I am a juvenile-certified District Court Judge by the NC Administrative Office of the Courts. I also currently preside over Durham’s Mental Health Court. As a District Court Judge, I have experience in both civil and criminal law. I began my legal career working for Carolina Legal Assistance working to draft pleadings in a class action lawsuit and assisting clients with mental health issues, I clerked for three years in the North Carolina Court of Appeals, I taught for over ten years at Durham Technical Community College in their Criminal Justice Program, and I was an Assistant District Attorney for over a decade where I was the supervisor over the Property and Fraud Team. I have been fair and impartial on the bench and have been doing the work as a judge and serving my community for many years.

 2. How would you define your judicial philosophy? How do you define yourself politically? How does that impact your judicial approach? 

My judicial philosophy is to follow the law, but have compassion and understanding for the person, facts and circumstances before me. As a judge, I am charged with applying the law to the set of facts before me without regard to my personal beliefs. To do otherwise would violate the cannons of ethics. I listen to all sides and make decisions based on what I hear and observe from the bench. It is important to be patient and listen and realize that people are nervous and not always at their best when they appear in court but to be fair and make the decision based on the evidence presented and what the law requires.

3. What do you believe are the three most important qualities a judge must have to be an effective jurist? 

The most important qualities that a judge must have to be an effective judge is to be fair and impartial, have patience, and the ability to listen.

4. The recently passed Iryna’s Law eliminates the option for judges to release people pretrial with only a written promise to appear in court and requires that they set secured bonds for defendants charged with violent offenses or with more than two prior convictions. Do you support these changes? Why or why not?

There are many factors that must be looked at when setting bonds. These include the criminal history, the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, the weight of the evidence, family ties, employment, financial resources, character, housing situation, mental condition, length of residence in the community, history or flight to avoid prosecution or failures to appear at court proceedings or any other relevant evidence. In using discretion to determine if there is a public safety risk and whether they will appear in court you have to look at all factors. We have a pretrial system that works great. The new law requires judicial officials to make written findings of the factors explaining why release is authorized or why it is not so that there is transparency and accountability.

 5. Black North Carolinians are incarcerated at much higher rates than their white peers. What responsibility do judges have to address racial inequity in the court system? 

Racial inequity in the administration of justice should not be tolerated. Education is key. There should be training on the front end with law enforcement prior to people even coming into court to address the root issues of why some groups of people are arrested and charged at greater levels. We also need to address the root causes of some of the issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, mental health issues, substance abuse issues and put more effort and resources into solving these issues. We could also continue to give people opportunities such as programs that we already have in place such as diversionary programs. I am very sensitive to issues involving racial bias and how it affects those who I see in my courtrooms every day. It is important that we bring these issues to light and call them out so that they are addressed and made transparent at the moment any injustice has occurred. I will continue to be fair and impartial and question any injustices that I see.

6. Do you support restorative justice practices and diversion programs? What kinds of cases do you believe should be exempted from diversion programs?

Yes, I support restorative justice practices and diversion programs. There are certain cases that by law are exempt from certain diversion programs. Additionally, certain violent crimes especially those involving gun violence may not be appropriate. It is also important that the victim’s right act is complied with.

7. How should judges take immigration status into consideration, both in case resolutions and in courtroom proceedings?

There are new laws in place now that require judicial officials to inquire into status. There are also collateral consequences that could result from dispositions in certain court proceedings.

8. In many cases, voters know very little about the judges they are electing. Tell us something about yourself that our readers may be surprised to learn.  

Voters may be surprised to learn that I am a native of Durham and but for going to UNC-Chapel Hill and staying in the dorms, I have always lived in Durham. I grew up raised by a single mother who taught me that education was key. We did not have much growing up because my mother was ill most of my childhood, but she stressed family and education. I grew up in the neighborhoods where many of the people that appear before me come from. Durham is my community and the people of Durham are my people and I am passionate about doing right by them. 

9. Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected that you suspect might cost you some points with voters.

I am passionate about protecting children. Protecting children is why I became an attorney and why I became a judge. I will always look out for their best interests and protect them from injurious environments and from being abused and neglected.

10. Are there any issues this questionnaire has not addressed that you would like to address?

No, I would like to say that I would like your support and that I am passionate about being the work I do as a public servant and would like to continue to serve the citizens of Durham.