Doretta Walker, candidate for NC District Court District 14 Justice, 2014 People's Alliance PAC Questionnaire

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People’s Alliance PAC 2014 Questionnaire
Candidate’s name: Doretta L. Walker
Residence address: 7 Cedar Bluff Ct, Durham, NC 27704
Cell phone number: (919) 695-2073 e-mail: dorettawalker@hotmail.com
DORETTA L. WALKER
P.O. Box 753
Durham, NC 27702
(919) 695-2073
EDUCATION: University of North Carolina School of Law
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
J.D. May, 1993
Licensed to Practice in North Carolina August, 1993
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.S. 1990, Administration of Criminal Justice/Psychology
Honors: Dean's List
3.0 Academic Achievement Award, Fall 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990
EXPERIENCE: District Court Judge. Durham County Fourteenth Judicial
District, Durham, NC (Jan. 2011 thru present). Hear cases in
district courtrooms in Durham County specifically in Family Court,
Child Support Court, Criminal Court, Civil Court, and Traffic Court.
Presided over Juvenile Drug Treatment Court for six months prior
to its dissolution.
Assistant District Attorney, Durham County District Attorney
Office, Durham, NC (May, 1997 – presently). Prosecute felonies
and misdemeanors. Supervisor of Property and Fraud Team in
District Attorney’s Office. Specialty areas include prosecution of
cases involving Elder Abuse, Identity Theft, Fraud Cases and
working with other State agencies.
Instructor, Durham Technical Community College. Durham, NC
(2005 –presently). Instruct in Criminal Justice Program: Ethics,
Intro to Criminal Justice, Court Procedure and Evidence.
Judicial Clerk, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Judge James A.
Wynn, Jr, Judge Clifton E. Johnson and Judge Patricia Timmons-
Goodson. Raleigh, NC (June 1994 – May 1997). Draft memoranda,
bench briefs and opinions. Legal research on a wide variety of legal

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issues. Proofreading and cite checking advance sheets and opinions
for accuracy.
Attorney-Contractor, Carolina Legal Assistance, Raleigh, NC (Jan
- June, 1994). Draft pleadings on a contract basis arguing
entitlement to class membership in the Thomas S. class action.
COMMUNITY & BAR
INVOLVEMENT: Godmothers, 2011 thru present.
14TH
Judicial District Bar & Durham County Bar Association, Board
Member, 2002 – 2010.
2009 – 2010 First Vice-President
2008 – 2010 Chair, Scholarship Committee
2008 – present Member, Scholarship Committee
George H. White Bar Association, Treasurer 2000 – 2010;
Member, 2000 – present
Scholarship Committee 2000 – 2013
Speaker, 2011 – present. Various organizations and schools.
SALT (Seniors And Law enforcement Together) 2006 – present
Durham Raiders, Board Member, 2006 – 2008
Partners For Youth, Mentor, 1999 – present
Triangle Champions Track Club Board Member, 2010 - present
Facility Supervisor, Durham Parks & Recreation, City of Durham
(March 1995 - 2006.)
Customer Service Rep, In-Touch Monitoring Center, Interim,
Raleigh, NC (1996-2008).
Temporary Worker, Tarheel Temps, UNC-CH (March 1993 - June
1994).
Guardian Ad Litem, GAL Program, Durham, NC (Fall, 1991-Jan.
1994).
Legal Intern, Carolina Legal Assistance, Raleigh NC (Summer
1992)
Mediator, VORP/Dispute Settlement Center, Chapel Hill, NC
(Spring 1992).
Minority Advisor, Office of Student Counseling, UNC (Fall 1987-
1990).
Volunteer, C.A. Dillon School, Butner, NC (Spring, 1989-1990).
Volunteer, John Umstead Hospital, Butner, NC (Spring, 1989).
REFERENCES: Available upon request.

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Questions on People’s Alliance PAC Questionnaire – Doretta Walker
1. Where were you born and where have you lived? When did you make Durham your
home?
I was born and raised in Durham by my mother and have lived here all of my life. She was
sick for most of her life but still gave us everything she could. Even though we were
poor, education and achievement was stressed as a desired goal for the children in our family.
While attending college in Chapel Hill, I came home every weekend to work. I was brought
up to be compassionate to everyone and to assist those who were in need if I was able to do
so.
2. Are you conservative or liberal? Please choose one and then explain your answer.
Canon 3 of the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct requires that judges not appear to be
willing to rule in such a way. As judges we are not to do or say anything that may diminish
the public’s confidence in our integrity and fairness. Answering questions such as this one
might cause any ruling I make to be looked upon as being unfair or favoring one party over
another. Also, we cannot convey to any group that they may be in a position to influence our
decisions in any way. Moreover, we are to abstain from public comment about the merits of
a pending proceeding in any court dealing with a case or controversy arising in North
Carolina or addressing North Carolina law.
3. Please describe how your religious and philosophical beliefs may affect your conduct
and decision making if you are elected.
As a judge, I am charged with applying the law to the set of facts before me without regard to
my personal beliefs or religious preferences. To do otherwise would certainly violate the
canons of ethics. While I am entitled to express my personal beliefs and practice my religion
according to the dictates of my faith and conscience in any private setting, I do not see the
judiciary as a place to exercise my personal faith or opinions when it comes to carrying out
my responsibilities as a jurist.
4. Please list the organizations (educational, social, charitable, cultural, political, religious,
etc.) you have joined or supported. If you have held an office in any of these
organizations, please describe.
I am a member of the Fourteenth Judicial District Bar & Durham County Bar Association
(was First Vice President and Chair of the Scholarship Committee); George H. White Bar
Association (Treasurer); SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together); Triangle
Champions Track Club; Godmothers; NCNW –Durham Section; National Sorority of Phi
Delta Kappa, Incorporated (Krinon Editor), and Partners for Youth.

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5. If you have had an occupation other than law, please describe the occupation and the
work you performed. Who were your employers?
I have served as an instructor at Durham Technical Community College for the past decade
teaching Criminal Law, Ethics, and Court Procedure and Evidence.
6. Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than a minor traffic offense
(such as speeding)? If the answer is yes, please describe the circumstances and the
outcome.
No.
7. Have you personally ever been the plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit? If the answer is
yes, please explain the circumstances and the outcome of the case. No.
About your practice of law:
8. Please describe your practice as a lawyer. Be specific. Describe the areas of your
practice and your specialties. If, over time, these have changed, describe the changes.
Describe your client base as a part of your answer.
I was an Assistant District Attorney for thirteen plus years. I handled complex white collar
crimes in the office and property offenses. I specialized in cases involving elder abuse and
neglect, identity theft, fraud cases, and property crimes. I was the supervisor of the fraud and
property team in the Durham County District Attorney’s Office. Additionally, I handled
prosecutions involving counterfeit trademarks and goods, and cases involving other state
agencies.
9. If you are a judge in the trial division, please describe two trials over which you have
presided which best illustrates your abilities and temperament as a trial judge. Explain
why you selected the cases you described.
Canon 3 of the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits me from commenting on
pending proceedings and specific cases and controversies that have come before the court. I
work in family court and almost all of the cases are subject to being opened for modifications. I
deal with cases involving child custody, among other things. In general, these cases involve
intense and traumatizing events that occur in a family’s household. The dissolution of a family
and the resulting consequences to children who through no fault of their own see their world as
they know it disintegrate is also a reason why I would never comment on such matters outside
the court. In each of the trials that come before me I am called upon to listen and decide from
the facts what’s in the best interest of the child. This as you may imagine takes patience, as
families are hurting, sometimes angry, and even fearful of the outcome and how it may impact
their life and the lives of their children. My responsibility is to discern the truth and the
credibility of witnesses and the evidence presented in any given situation. This requires patience
and a willingness to listen to each side present their case even if they have difficulty expressing

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their thoughts and feelings. It also means being understanding even if the witnesses’ statements
and evidence are contrary to what is considered traditional and acceptable. Judges have broad
discretion in determining the weight to be given to the evidence presented and are required to use
this discretion wisely. Therefore, I have to be attentive and discerning while remaining open to
whatever issue may arise. I believe that this is what I do best. As a District Court Judge, I am
tasked with making fair and impartial decisions while applying the relevant law based upon the
facts presented in the case. I do so without regard to outside influences and pressures such as
financial contributions, political leanings and support, socio-economic status, race, religion,
sexual orientation, disability, or the national origin of the persons before the court.
10. If you are not a trial judge, please describe two of your case that best illustrate the
abilities and temperament you would display as the holder of the office you seek.
11. If you are a sitting judge seeking reelection, are you satisfied with your North Carolina
Bar Association Judicial Performance Evaluation scores? Do you think the evaluation
process is valid and the results a fair indication of your performance? Using the survey
categories in the evaluation, please indicate what steps, if any, you plan to take to
improve your scores. If you are not a sitting judge, please evaluate yourself as the judge
you think you will be if you are elected. Please use the five survey categories and in
your answer take into account how you think other attorneys would evaluate you.
I am and have always been one to strive to achieve the very best that I can; therefore, I will never
be satisfied as long as there is room to improve. I would say that the current process is one
measure of evaluating members of the judiciary. I believe it should be weighed in light of its
subjectivity because it asks over twenty thousand attorneys in North Carolina to rate the judges
that they have appeared before or have had professional interaction with in the categories of
Integrity & Impartiality, Legal Ability, Professionalism, Communication, Administrative Skills
and Overall Performance. The general idea is good, but the process can be greatly distorted. For
example, I received a less than favorable score from some attorneys in the category of legal
ability. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Law School and went
on to clerk for three of the best judges ever to serve on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, viz.,
Judge James A. Wynn (now on the United States 4th
Circuit Court of Appeals), the late Judge
Clifton E. Johnson, and Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson (First African-American female to
serve on the North Carolina Supreme Court). After that, I prosecuted thousands of defendants
every year and handled complex white collar crimes and issues for over a decade. Additionally,
I regularly teach about the court system and evidence. That being said, as to the various
categories, we all can improve and no one is perfect. I will continue to set high standards for
myself as a Judge and seek the support and input of judicial mentors as well as avail myself of
various learning opportunities.

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12. Have you ever been publicly or privately disciplined by the North Carolina State Bar or
any other professional or occupational licensing authority in North Carolina or any
other state? “Disciplined” should be read to include reprimands, censures, and
warning in addition to license suspension, surrender, revocation, and disbarment. Is
the State Bar or any governmental authority considering a complaint against you at the
present time? Have you ever been found in contempt of court? For each “yes” answer,
please provide us with a full description of the action taken, when it was taken, the
authority in question, and a statement of the facts and events given rise to the action or
complaint against you. Answer: No to all of above.
13. Please describe the nature and extent of any pro bono work you have done. Is there a
pro bono matter to which you have contributed that best illustrates your values?
I have not worked as a private attorney; however, I have been a volunteer in my community all
of my life. I have served as a mentor with Partners for Youth since the inception of the program
over a decade ago where I provide mentoring and guidance to youth about activities, education,
and social skills. I also volunteer with SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) where I
work with senior citizens, educating them about issues in the judicial system and the law that are
relevant to their lives. Additionally, I have done speaking engagements and shared in
discussions with youth at various schools in Durham.
Concerning law and policy:
14. What are your views on the death penalty and the way death penalty cases are handled
in North Carolina? As a matter of the administration of justice, what should the courts
and legislature do about the death penalty?
The North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits judges from commenting on cases
and controversies addressing North Carolina law and from commenting on cases that are
pending. This involves issues that are making its way through our courts in North Carolina.
Additionally, this is not a matter of which District Court Judges are called upon to decide.
15. Do you perceive any racial discrimination in the criminal justice system? If your
answer is yes, what should be done to combat it?
Racial discrimination is one of the many forms of discrimination that exists in many areas of
our society today. I believe it can only be eradicated when people of all races come together
as the human race and make their collective voices heard loud enough to decide that it it must
end. As a member of the judiciary, I insist upon affirming the dignity of all persons who
appear before the court and affording them all of the rights and privileges given to any other
person or citizen no matter their status. I am especially sensitive to seeing that we protect
each person’s right to be heard and treated with fairness before the court because they are
most vulnerable in our criminal justice system. As a judge, it is my responsibility to be fair

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and impartial and apply the law pursuant to the applicable rules and the Constitution of our
State and nation without regard to race, gender, religion or national origin.
16. What are your views on the rights (including whether any such rights exist) of
homosexual persons to marry? Did you vote for or against Amendment One?
The North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits judges from commenting on cases
and controversies addressing North Carolina law and from commenting on cases that are
pending. My position as a jurist is that all citizens are entitled to due process and the rights
afforded to them under our Constitution. Moreover, as a judge, it my responsibility to uphold
the laws and statutes passed by the legislative branch and signed into law by our governing
bodies without regard to my personal opinions or position on a particular issue.
17. Do we incarcerate too many people in North Carolina? Do we incarcerate the right
people? Please explain your answer. What sentencing policy changes would you
support in your role as a trial court judge? Would you advocate for this policy change
publicity and to the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission and in
the North Carolina judges conferences?
The North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits judges from commenting on cases
and controversies addressing North Carolina law. As a judge, I cannot answer questions
which may be used to diminish the integrity and fairness of the judiciary. Sentencing policy
changes that I support would include allowing judges to have more discretion in sentencing
as cases are determined on a case by case basis and when the facts and circumstances are
different between individuals. The North Carolina Judges Conference has passed various
resolutions advocating for many policy changes which I support.
18. If elected, will you support the following programs: the Drug Treatment Court, the
Criminal Justice Resource Center, STARR, the Mental Health Treatment Court, the
Veterans’ Court, the misdemeanor diversion program for 16 and 17 year olds, and the
newly established pretrial services program? If you have reservations about any of
these programs please explain them.
I support these programs. I only hope that the programs will be fully funded so that all
persons in need of them can benefit as others have in the past. I have witnessed firsthand
how various programs have been started and then discontinued even though successful. The
Youth Drug Treatment Court was disbanded after the money used to fund it was taken away.
This program and similar ones like it are of a great benefit not only to the ones that are being
served, but to the community as well.
Your politics:

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19. How are you registered to vote? Have you ever changed your registration? If you have
changed your voter registration, please explain why.
I have been a registered Democrat since I first voted at age 18 and have maintained my status
as such continuously.
20. Who did you vote for in the 2008 and 2012 presidential and gubernatorial elections?
I supported the Democratic Party ticket.
21. Have you ever been active in the campaign of a candidate for elective office (by active
we mean acted as campaign manager, treasurer, or paid staff, or contributed more than
$2,000)? If the answer is yes, please list the candidates and the offices they sought.
I contributed to my own race for District Court Judge
22. If you are elected, do you envision any community involvement beyond the specific
duties of the office? If yes, please describe that involvement.
Yes, I have been involved in my community since I was in grade school and plan to always
give back to the Durham community and its youth. In addition to the involvement previously
mentioned, I plan to continue speaking to civic and educational groups to educate the
community about our court system and mentoring and performing various outreach efforts as
a means of connecting with more of our youth in various venues. We all have a stake in
decreasing crime and making our community a safe place to live. We also owe the people we
serve our best efforts in seeing that everyone among us has a fair chance and a good start at
the greatest opportunity for achievement and success as a member of the community.