Judicial Election Results in NC

Well, the results of the election are in and the numbers look good. NC selected moderate, experienced Judges for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

The Raleigh News & Observer reports (as of this posting):

You can read all the election results at the N&O Here.

With the exception of Donna Stroud, all of the experienced appellate Judges were re-elected. Now the Hudson seat at the Court of Appeals will get a new appointment by Governor Easley.

The one exception to incumbents getting re-elected was the Stephens v. Stroud race. Donna Stroud, a Republican from Zebulon won the election. I think the good news is that she has served as a District Court Judge since 2004, and has concentrated on family law during her career. I always think it is a good thing for a Judge to have actual trial experience and to have worked in a law firm with real clients. This seems to bring a practical touch to the bench, so I’ll be interested to see how her opinions stack up. It also looks like her partners in her previous firm practiced criminal defense law, so she brings a fairly broad range of experience to the Court.

The Election of Judge Hudson to the Supreme Court may have some interesting implications is the Ezell case, discussed in the Medicaid forum on NC Trial Law Blog, is accepted for a rehearing. Judge Hudson wrote the Court of Appeals majority opinion in that case that, in my opinion, properly addressed the legal issue.

Thanks to all that voted in this very rainy election. I stood at my precinct poll in the pouring down rain from 6:00 am until 7:00 pm, with two breaks to go home and change into dry socks and shoes. It was a miserable day, weather wise. We set out an empty coffee cup in the morning and it was full by the end of the day. A 16 ounce coffee cup!! 

Chris Nichols, www.NicholsTrialLaw.com