Hometown: Mooresville
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Bachelor of Arts from UNC Charlotte, JD from UNC Chapel Hill
What are the biggest issues facing your constituency?
The most serious issue facing our judicial system in the newly-created district is the overcrowded dockets. There are days when the court docket is so large that the fire code prevents all of the defendants from entering the courtroom. There is no way humanly possible to hear 400, 500 and sometimes even 600 cases in one day. On those days, there is no time to hear contested cases. There have even been occasions when all of the people pleading guilty could not get their cases heard.
These conditions lead to the dismissal of a large number of cases in order to work out deals in some of the cases. If the district attorney’s office did not offer attractive plea bargains, the defendants would all plead not guilty and the whole system would come crashing down.
The second most important issue is that access to the court system is limited due to the lack of resources allocated to our judicial district by the legislature. There is insufficient courtroom space, there are not enough district attorneys to prosecute the criminal cases, there are not enough weeks of criminal superior court, there is not enough personnel (courtroom clerks, bailiffs, court reporters, etc.) to staff additional courts, and there are not enough judges to hear the cases.
Of those issues, which is the most important?
The issues are largely one in the same. There are not enough resources available to have any significant change in the way cases are heard. Until Iredell County’s elected officials secure more money for our court system, the problems will only get worse with population growth.
What, if any, prior experience do you have that will help you if you’re elected?
I am the only candidate for this judicial seat that has experienced the criminal justice system as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. As an assistant district attorney for 10 years, I prosecuted cases in all elvels of the court system, from traffic court, juvenile court, domestic violence court and superior court. I prosecuted everything from speeding tickets to capital murder cases. I successfully prosecuted and sent to death row several of the most heinous criminals in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties. As a defense attorney, I have defended everything from speeding tickets to capital murder cases. I have also represented clients in domestic cases, personal injury matters, collection cases and various other civil matters. Having been an advocate in a variety of legal matters makes me the most well-rounded candidate.
What is one thing you think the current judge is doing right?
I am running for a new position so there is no current judge.
What is one thing you think the current judge is doing wrong?
I am running for a new position so there is no current judge.
What specifically would you do if elected in response to the county’s growth?
There is very little a single judge can do because the dockets are set by the district attorney’s office in criminal cases, and the attorneys’ in civil cases. I would certainly advocate for more resources with the appropriate agencies.
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