NC District Court 10A, Seat 3: Douglas Brown Jr.

Name as it appears on the ballot: Douglas Brown

Age: 64

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: www.douglasbrownforjudge.com 

Occupation & employer: self-employed attorney

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? 

After serving in the military for twenty years, I practiced law first as a prosecutor and then as a defense attorney.  I believe that my experience on both sides of the justice system, as well as my own life experiences, have shown me the importance of giving everyone equal access to the courts.

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

While I am registered as a Democrat, I do not believe that partisanship has a place in our courts; I believe in the Rule of Law.

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

Fairness, integrity and compassion.

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

I believe in equal access, the Rule of Law and second chances.  Sometimes an individual, especially one from a disadvantaged community, needs a balance of law and compassion.

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?

As a black man growing up and still living in North Carolina, I know firsthand the experiences of many black citizens.  I believe that seeing someone on the bench who looks like them lends credibility to the system.

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? 

Being poor should not be a crime.  Especially when considering bond amounts for non-violent offenses, flexibility is needed.  I would also consider the likelihood of flight, the means a person may have to leave the jurisdiction, and ties to the community.  Family can be a very powerful bond.

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? 

I support restorative justice but think it is important to provide resources to assist victims as well as resources to assist those who harmed them.  While these practices are historically rooted in juvenile matters, research is starting to show the success in adult, felony cases as well.  

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

A judge should have the flexibility to weigh the factors of an individual situation and respond appropriately.  

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.  I have seen firsthand the value of giving young people and first time offenders a second chance.

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 grew up in a small town in North Carolina and was raised by a single mother.  I worked my way through college and law school with a combination of scholarships and the G.I. Bill.  I served in the military first as a pilot then as a lawyer.  I am married to a fellow attorney I met at the courthouse, and have two daughters and a rescue Beagle.

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