Desvousges seat
During the primary, the Independent cited Mark Perrys reputation as an excellent attorney and his experience trying criminal cases in endorsing his bid for Shelly Desvousges open district court seat. But since then, Perry has made a significant misstep. Although he remains professionally qualified for the position, Perrys September arrest for driving while intoxicated calls into question not only his judgment, but potentially the legitimacy of the court were he to be installed as judge. The Indy endorses Anna Worley. Though she has limited experience with criminal cases, she is a capable attorney and her extensive knowledge of family law would be vital in a court that handles a significant number of domestic disputes.
Walczyk seat
We strongly endorse incumbent Christine Walczyk, who was appointed to the District 10 bench in 2007 by Gov. Mike Easley and has since garnered a reputation for her fairness and ability to manage a judicial calendar in what is an extremely busy court system. Her opponent, Raleigh attorney Walter B. Rand, has worked extensively with the Wake Public Defenders office. Unfortunately, Rand has several complaints filed against him in that role. More telling, however, are the complaints from sitting judges that question Rands competence as a criminal attorney: He was barred from representing indigent clients from 2003-05. He has a criminal history including two arrests for impaired driving.
Brewer seat
Jacqueline Brewer, another recent Easley appointee, brings to the bench 26 years experience as an assistant district attorneynine more years experience than her opponent, John Miller, has at practicing law. Miller is largely an unknown quantity in Wake County legal circles. Brewer also has the distinction of being one of the few candidates, in their responses to the questionnaire, to offer concrete solutions to the overcrowding problem on the District 10 docket. We endorse Jacqueline Brewer.
