Name as it appears on the ballot: Christine M. Walczyk

Age: 53
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: NA
Occupation: District Court Judge District 10C Seat 2
Employer – State of North Carolina Administrative Office of the Court

1) Please tell us what in your record as a public official or private citizen demonstrates your ability to be effective, fair, and impartial on the bench? Please be specific. What do you believe qualifies you to serve as a district court judge?

I owned my own law firm in Raleigh for 11 years before becoming a judge. I practiced law with Grafstein & Walczyk, PLLC representing small businesses with their corporate and transactional needs, indigent adults charged with crimes, and juveniles in delinquency court.

I am one of the most senior judges in Wake County, having served for more than 16 years. I was the Lead Family Court Judge in Wake County from 2013 until 2021. In that role, I partnered with various stakeholders to bring about significant changes including the utilization of remote hearings during the pandemic, the creation of an overflow courtroom to address backlog, the development of instructional videos and sample form packages for self-represented litigants, an externship program for law students, and a free mediation program.

I am now the Lead Judge in general civil court. I manage Wake County’s court-ordered
mandatory arbitration program, and I regularly preside over small claims appeals, evictions, contract disputes, and tort actions.

District Court cases can be emotionally taxing and complicated. They require patience, hard work, and a vast knowledge of a wide spectrum of law. I bring these qualities along with my experience and maturity to the bench.

2) How do you define yourself politically? How does that impact your judicial approach?

I am running in a partisan race, but I do not consider myself a politician. I identify as a Democrat in my personal life, but I truly believe that judicial independence is the cornerstone of our system. In order to preserve the independence of the courts and restore the public’s perception of the legal system, judges should limit their political speech as much as possible, and remain above the “political fray.”

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

The most effective jurists in a trial court setting will be conscientious, efficient, and
compassionate.

4) In a sentence, how would you define your judicial philosophy?

Trial judges do not make law or set precedent. My job is to provide fair, well-crafted, and well reasoned legal decisions in a timely manner for families and litigants who are unable to reach consensus on important issues like child custody, the division of marital property, or contract disputes.

5) Black North Carolinians are incarcerated at six times the rate of whites. How do you see your responsibility as a judge in addressing racial inequity in the justice system?
It is incumbent upon judges to recognize implicit bias and root it out of our courtrooms. As leaders in our community, we must stand up and shine a light on these disparities, and work together with the community, whenever possible, to address these issues. Members of the judiciary should work to ensure that all litigants feel respected and heard, and are treated fairly. Socio-economic disparities are a major cause of inequity. I have been on the advisory board for Wake County’s Legal Support Center since its inception and worked tirelessly on instructional videos and forms for self-represented litigants. I have also volunteered my time to train pro bono attorneys who represent indigent persons.

6) Do you believe the cash bail system is in need of reform? What changes do you believe are necessary to ensure those accused of crimes are not incarcerated due to their inability to afford bond? What factors do you consider when determining the bond amount?

Wake County judges use public safety assessments to evaluate the flight risk and dangerousness of alleged offenders. Most young or first-time offenders in my courtroom are offered pre-trial release conditions with no cash obligation. I consider the public safety assessments, the nature of the offense, whether the defendant has a violent criminal history, and whether the defendant is likely to return voluntarily for trial.

7) Do you support restorative justice practices prior to sentencing? If so, how would you seek to implement those practices in your capacity as a judge? Which types of cases do you think should be eligible?

In many cases, yes. I fully support our recovery courts and teen court, which allow for some restorative practices. We also have a volunteer mediation program for low level crimes such as property damage or other misdemeanors. This program allows the defendant and the victim to reach a mutually agreeable solution to avoid criminal prosecution.

8) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes, such as low-level drug offenses? Why or why not?

North Carolina uses a structured sentencing system. In general terms, a North Carolina defendant will receive a sentence within a certain range based on the class of the offense and the prior record level of the offender. In theory, a structured sentencing grid ensures that all individuals, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status, are treated similarly. Judges are required to use the grid in every felony case. It also provides some flexibility for judges to deviate upward or downward from the presumptive punishment range in specific cases. Having said that, judges
have no say in what the structured sentencing grid looks like, or which offenses are given higher classifications. Most importantly, we have no control over which cases are aggressively prosecuted, or what kind of deals are made. These are decisions made by the Legislature and the District Attorney’s office.

9) Some district courts are implementing misdemeanor diversion programs for young and/or first-time offenders. Do you believe programs like these are effective?

Yes. Wake County has been using diversion programs for a long time. I do believe they make sense, especially for young adults and juveniles.

10) 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.

I was an avid soccer player until the pandemic hit. I love to watch women’s collegiate soccer, the Carolina Courage, and the women’s national team.

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