Voters will choose between two judicial newcomers to replace longtime 5th Judicial District Court Judge Rebecca Blackmore during the 2014 general election, while District Court Judge Melissa Crouch defends her seat on the bench from a challenger.
District courts, considered an entry-level trial court, are where most people facing legal charges find themselves. District courts hear all civil cases involving less than $10,000 in controversy, family law cases and juvenile cases, and misdemeanor criminal cases.
The 5th Judicial District encompasses New Hanover and Pender counties.
Kent Harrell, a private attorney from Burgaw, ran an unsuccessful campaign against Blackmore in 2006. He cited his Pender County roots as both his motivation to run for office and an advantage over challenger Lindsey McKee Luther, a prosecutor working in the district attorney’s office since 2007. He said none of the nine judges currently serving the 5th district are from Pender County, adding that his experience practicing in Burgaw equipped him with experience in criminal and civil cases.
“Being in a small town, you do a little bit of everything,” Harrell said.
Luther sees her experience working in the district court room, managing a docket of 250 criminal cases scheduled to be heard and prosecuted on behalf of the state each day, as her biggest advantage over Harrell.
“I’m responsible for handling every case on that docket,” Luther said. “I have to be familiar with the cases. I have to know the law in the cases. I have to know to run the courtroom, essentially.”
Harrell said experience in civil and criminal cases is crucial for judges expected to rule on both types of cases in district court.
“She’s a good prosecutor, but that’s where all of her experience lies: the district attorney’s office. There’s a whole world of civil law out there that we handle in district court that she doesn’t have any experience in,” Harrell said.
Luther previously served as an advocate for abused and neglected children in court as a Guardian ad Litem.
Harrell is the Pender County Guardian ad Litem attorney, and said he also practices a lot of family law through his private practice, while Luther said she has also prosecuted domestic violence cases during her time as an assistant district attorney.
Harrell described his judicial philosophy as fair, equal and consistent application of the law to every person without passion or prejudice. Luther described her judicial philosophy as gathering all possible information to get to the root of each case. Both candidates see the law as flexible when it comes to second chances for people who acted out of character, or who have initiated efforts to change.
Judge Melinda Crouch is defending her seat against a challenge from Wilmington attorney Charles “Duke” Lineberry. Crouch has served on the bench for seven years.
Both Crouch and Lineberry boast more than 20 years of experience practicing civil and criminal law, especially family law. For six years of her time on the bench, Crouch has served as one of three judges who hear all family court cases in New Hanover County.
Crouch said experience as a private attorney is helpful, but pointed to a learning curve between making a case as an attorney and making a decision as a judge.
“You have a lot more responsibility as a judge. Making sure that the process is fair is really the most important thing, making sure that everyone who appears has notice and opportunity to be heard,” Crouch said.
Crouch described her judicial philosophy as approaching each case with an open mind and knowledge of the law, noting that judges should be patient enough to hear all facts of the case or explain the process to people who show up without an attorney.
Fifth Judicial District Court Judges Chad Hogston and James Faison III are running for reelection unopposed.
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