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 superior court judge?
As a public official, I have served in many capacities to effectuate change in the court system. On one particular occasion, I participated in a meeting with other court system stakeholders to discuss raising the age of eligibility for the Misdemeanor Diversion Program. At the time of our discussion, 21 years old was the capped age. Some stakeholders wanted the age to be capped at 26 years of age because there was medical data to support that the mind was still developing up to that age. Others didn’t favor any eligibility age requirement. While the discussion was occurring, I listened to all stakeholders and their positions. At some point, I had to state a position; I did not have an agenda, and I believed I was fair and impartial by listening to everyone else before announcing my position. Ultimately, I was effective because, as a group, we agreed to raise the age eligibility requirement to 26.
Before being appointed in 2023 to the Superior Court bench, I had the honor of serving Durham County as a district court judge for almost seven years. As a district court judge, I presided over nearly all district courts and obtained valuable and meaningful judicial experience in handling various cases. Notwithstanding my judicial experience, my judicial temperament, hard work ethic, and record of service demonstrate that I am qualified for this position. Although I am still new to the superior court, I will maintain my willingness to learn as I administer justice across our great state.
2) How do you define yourself politically? How does that impact your judicial approach?
I am a life-long Democrat. As to my political affiliation, I do not think that it impacts my judicial approach. Growing up in the Rocky Mount community has dramatically impacted my judicial approach— many of my neighbors suffered from mental illness, substance abuse and economic strife.
My judicial approach consists of following the law, making sound decisions, and tempering my rulings with fairness, impartiality, and mercy. Many justice-involved individuals encounter our court system, because they experience challenges with their mental health, substance abuse and poverty. As a judge, I must consider why an individual appears before me and structure my sentencing accordingly in addressing these root causes so that they will not re-offend. I am constantly reminded of my past neighbors when I preside in criminal court. Often, people do the best they can for many reasons. My judicial approach is to use Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts, and remit court costs and fees to address these root causes.
3) What do you believe are the three most important qualities a judge must have to be an effective jurist?
Having been a District Court Judge for almost seven years and a Superior Court Judge for 1 and 1/2 years, I believe that the three most important qualities of a judge are: 1) Patience, 2) Active Listening and 3) Compassion.
A retired judge once told me, ” Patience is a judge’s secret weapon.” I have never forgotten that statement from the late NC Superior Court Judge A. Leon Stanback, and I have incorporated it into my daily practice as a judge. Patience is the greatest stabilizer in assisting a judge to maintain an environment where all parties feel heard and seen. Active listening requires quieting one’s ego and entirely focusing on what others want you to know. Compassion is a must-have attribute for all who appear in front of judges, and it maintains confidence and integrity in our court system.
4) In a sentence, how would you define your judicial philosophy?
My judicial philosophy is to apply the law to the facts and make the best legal decision I can make, a decision where all parties believe that they are heard and respected.
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?
There is a disproportionate rate of black men who are incarcerated in our state. Because I acknowledge this reality, I have participated in race equity training throughout my legal career, and I will continue to participate in race equity training when they are available. Moreover, as a judge, I have always been mindful of cultural and racial differences when hearing cases. As a Superior Court, I ensure that I am well-versed in the Supreme Court ruling of Batson vs. Kentucky — which makes it constitutional to use race as a basis of removing a juror during jury selection.
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?
The Criminal Justice Resource Center has done a phenomenal job of creating a comprehensive pre-trial release program in Durham County. Many criminally charged individuals cannot afford cash bails. To avoid having criminally charged individuals incarcerated while their cases are pending, I will consider the pre-trial release of criminally charged individuals based on risk assessment information provided by the Pre-Trial Services Program. Suppose I approve an individual for the pre-trial services program. In that case, I have a choice to unsecure their bond and allow these individuals to be supervised by the Pre-Trial Services Program until their court case is no longer pending. Additionally, I consider the factors enumerated in N. C. G. S. 15A-534(c) when determining bond conditions.
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 do support restorative justice practices before sentencing. In fact, Durham County was the first county in our state to offer restorative justice in a criminal case. Since I have been a superior court judge, I have accepted a Felony Death by Motor Vehicle plea where the victim’s family and the criminally charged individual participated in restorative justice practices. Out of the many pleas I have accepted, I vividly remember this plea. Seeing the compassion emanating from both the victim’s family and the defendant was impactful. Witnessing this plea derived from restorative justice practices demonstrates that justice can be reimagined to provide healing to all parties connected in tragedy.
8) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes, such as low-level drug offenses? Why or why not?
As judges, we are governed by the NC Judicial Code of Conduct. Based on my interpretation of this code, stating whether I support certain crimes or laws would be improper and unethical. As a judge, I take an oath to follow and administer the law as written.
9) Some district courts are implementing misdemeanor diversion programs for young and/or first-time offenders. Do you believe programs like these are effective?
I wholeheartedly believe that misdemeanor diversion programs for first-time offenders are effective. In fact, I was the representative of Durham District Attorney’s Office that helped to implement the first Misdemeanor Diversion Program in Durham. After the implementation of this court around 2015, I was the Assistant District Attorney in the court component of the program and later presided over the Misdemeanor Diversion Court as a district court judge. These programs are effective in that our young offenders are given second chances to avoid collateral consequences of having criminal records.
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.
Judicial races are tough because oftentimes citizens have no clue about us until an unfortunate circumstance brings them into the court system. Despite how busy I am on the bench and in the community, I am a proud member of six books clubs. Reading a good book is my way of balancing the seriousness of being a judge with an activity that gives me great happiness.