NC District Court 10 D, Seat 5: Blair Williams

Name as it appears on the ballot: Blair Williams

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: BlairWilliamsforJudge.com 

Occupation & employer: Wake County Clerk of Superior Court / Ex Officio Judge of Probate

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?

Eight years on the bench conducting tens of thousands of hearings provides a transparent public record of community driven judicial demeanor.  Those previously mentioned eight years of experience combined with five recent years of hiring, managing and encouraging those that support the Judges in the courtrooms gives me an extremely focused lens on what to do and what not to do as a Judge. 

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

Politically I am a Democrat, seeking results driven social justice for the betterment of all.  Politically is a layer over the core of my faith approach of service to the least of thee. 

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

Compassion, empathy and professionalism  

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

All decisions guided by the philosophy that the parties before me, could be me, except for the grace of God. 

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?

My responsibilities to address racial inequities continue, evolve and strengthen as a judge as prior collaborative partnerships, such as steering committee member of pretrial initiatives and advocate/advisory board member of the Wake County Legal Support Center provide a base for new partnership opportunities with community, County, educational institutions and judicial branch in a new role as a District Court Judge.  

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?

Yes, cash bail needs a reform, and I have worked with our judicial partners and stakeholders in Wake County to implement nationally recognized pretrial bond reform guidelines.  I will continue to advocate and partner with stakeholders and other Counties to describe the win/win/win benefits of the implementation of Advancing Pretrial Policy Reform’s Public Safety Assessment (cash bail reform) in Wake County. 

I would use the factors of the Advancing Pretrial Policy Reform’s Public Safety Assessment. The factors include age at current arrest, current violent offense, pending charges of arrest, prior misdemeanor convictions, prior felony convictions, prior violent convictions, prior failure to appears within two years, prior failure to appear outside of two years, prior sentence to incarceration while adding work status and connection to community and family. 

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? 

Yes, I support restorative justice practices including the ones currently available in Wake County.   I would implement these daily when applicable.  I would also advocate for work and or educational components which expand the guidelines of those that are in place. 

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

Any type of mandatory sentence makes me want ask who is setting the mandatory.  North Carolina already uses mandatory sentencing throughout the law and those sentences are subject to change by those who are making or will make the law.  I can see how given the right law it might be beneficial but also consider the reverse impact.  I think it is important that the citizens elect the judicial officials with the experience and track record to have the discretion needed to apply the correct sentence to the facts for each unique person. 

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

Wake has robust diversion programs which are effective.  The issue is the need is greater than the demand.  I will continue to advocate for additional resources to ensure the current programs can meet the ever growing need and find opportunities for additional programs.

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.

The 2018 Indy endorsement of my campaign currently allows me the opportunity to manage 187 essential public servants who work in downtown Raleigh, which are the face and voice of justice, that are dedicated to improving our judicial branch that do not have a dedicated place to park for work. That fact  these essential public servants do not have dedicated place to park should surprise your readers.

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