Full Legal Name: James R. Ansley

Name as it Appears on the Ballot: Ronnie Ansley

Seat/ District: District 10 / Meyer Seat

Partisan Affiliation: Democrat (Non-partisan race)

Date of Birth: November 20, 1961

Home Address: 4509 Burlington Mills Road Wake Forest, NC 27587

Mailing Address (if different from home): P.O. Box 2127 Raleigh, NC 27602

Campaign Web Site: www.ronnieansley.com

Occupation & Employer: Attorney at Law – Law Offices of James R. Ansley

Bachelor’s Degree Year & Institution: 1984 – North Carolina State University

JD Year & School: 1991 – Mississippi College School of Law

Other Degrees: Master’s Degree – 1988 – Clemson University

Years lived in North Carolina: Since birth

Home Phone: (919) 630-0900

Work Phone: (919) 630-0900

Email: ansleyr@mindspring.com

1.What do you believe are the most important issues facing the District Court? What are your top priorities or issues of concern for the coming term?

The most important issues facing Wake County District Court are providing fair trials and hearings to every person coming before the Court and the efficient, economical use of court time and resources.

2.What qualifies you to serve?

Like each of you reading this article, I believe in fairness, family values, and the Constitution. When elected I bring over 25 years of legal experience, fairness, and the ability to treat every person equally and fairly to the Wake County District Court Bench. As an attorney I have practiced in every courtroom in which I will be called upon to serve as Judge. I have the real, everyday experience to handle the job with the care and efficiency needed to make our Wake County courts run smoothly and provide justice for all. It takes real life practical hands-on experience to make the tough decisions that must be made by a judge in district court. I have the type of legal and real life experience that matters.

3.How do you define yourself politically and how does your political philosophy show itself in your past achievements and present campaign platform?

I define myself politically as open minded, moderate and fiscally conservative. I have always fought for people’s rights and worked to use the resources available in the most effective, efficient way possible. My commitment to the citizens of Wake County is to do the same.

4.FOR INCUMBENT: What have been your most important decisions in your current capacity? What has been the most challenging decision for you to make and why? FOR CHALLENGERS: What decisions has the incumbent made that you most disagree with? How would your decision have differed?

My nearly 25 years of experience in Wake County District Court on an almost daily basis will allow me to apply that experience in every case and to handle the job with the care and efficiency needed to make our Wake County courts run smoothly and provide justice for every person coming before the court.

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

I will apply the law to every case and treat every person exactly the same, applying the law in a fair, even-handed manner, without regard to who the person is or their position in life or the community.

6.As a District Judge, how would you develop a trusting relationship with Wake County’s large immigrant community?

I will develop a trusting relationship with Wake County’s immigrant community and Wake County’s entire population by being open, fair and honest in my dealings with everyone coming before the court.

7.Do you support the repeal of the Racial Justice Act or believe that it should be reinstated? Explain.

As a judge, I must follow the law without regard to my personal views on any issue. Much like a referee in a sporting event, I will not choose a side in any case I hear. I will be fair and apply the law fairly and even-handedly in every case.

8.Drug cases make up an increasingly large percentage of the caseload in the US. What are the main factors you would consider in hearing a non-violent, low-level drug case?

I would apply the law to the facts presented in each case. As a judge, I must follow the law without regard to my personal views on any issue. Much like a referee in a sporting event, I will not choose a side in any case I hear. I will be fair and apply the law fairly and even-handedly in every case.

9.What are the main factors you would consider in preliminary hearings for a domestic violence or rape case? Does the burden of proof lie more on the accuser or the accused?

I would apply the law to the facts presented in each case. As a judge, I must follow the law without regard to my personal views on any issue. Much like a referee in a sporting event, I will not choose a side in any case I hear. I will be fair and apply the law fairly and even-handedly in every case.

10. North Carolina prosecutes 16-year-olds as adults. (Thirteen-year-old juveniles who are charged with felonies can also be prosecuted as adults, if transferred from juvenile court.) Do you support raising the juvenile jurisdiction to 18? Please explain why or why not.

As a judge, I must follow the law without regard to my personal views on any issue. Much like a referee in a sporting event, I will not choose a side in any case I hear. I will be fair and apply the law fairly and even-handedly in every case.

11.What do you feel was the U.S. Supreme Court’s most important recent decision? Did you agree with the majority?

Every decision of the U.S. Supreme Court is important. Their decisions are the law and must be followed as such. As a judge, I must follow the law without regard to my personal views on any issue. Much like a referee in a sporting event, I will not choose a side in any case I hear. I will be fair and apply the law fairly and even-handedly in every case.

13. Have you ever pled guilty or no contest to any criminal charge other than a minor traffic offense? If yes, please explain.

No.

14. What improvements could be made in the Wake County judicial system to expedite the trying of cases and ease caseloads?

Wake County, due to its population and the number of cases filed each year, needs more judges to hear these cases. Absent the legislature or the Wake County Commissioners adding judicial positions to Wake County Courts, Wake County needs to look at more courtrooms dedicated to specific charges, increasing the use of arbitration and mediation and the possibility of adding family law hearing officers to handle appropriate cases.

15. Is there anything else you’d like to add about yourself or the issues that are close to your heart?

“As a community leader and volunteer, Eagle Scout, FFA (Future Farmers of America) leader, business owner and trial attorney with nearly 25 years of District Court trial experience, I possess the experience that matters when sitting as a District Court Judge. Judges should know the law and understand people and how the courtroom operates. I have spent my entire legal career in the courtrooms in which I will be called upon to serve as judge. I am asking the voters of Wake County for their vote in the November election. Thank you!” – Ronnie Ansley