Magistrate, Mecklenburg County (since 2016)

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Magistrates are the foundation of our courts.  We are there 24/7/365, keeping the courts going.  I hear petitions for criminal charges, search warrant applications, and perform Initial Appearances for all those arrested.  I hold Misdemeanor First Appearance, where I hear lower level offenses, take pleas, decide fines, and assign attorneys for Defendants.  I preside over civil trials, in matters of *******We also hold Small Claims for civil matters less than $10,000.00 and Landlord-Tenant matters–usually a courtroom full of pro se litigants.  We hear and rule on requests for Involuntary Commitment Orders and Domestic Violence Protective Orders, where we can have a great impact in preventing tragic outcomes.  I have also held Criminal Misdemeanor Admin court–holding First Appearance for misdemeanors where I accept guilty pleas on class three misdemeanors and infractions, determine court costs and fines, assign counsel, and set court dates for trials. My experiences on the bench prepares me to step up to the District Court.