Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/303912
22 APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM ELECTION GUIDE JUDICIAL All four candidates work primarily in the Criminal Justice System, yet I also take on a considerable amount of civil work in my practice. Although many people are aware of the Criminal matters that are heard in District Court, many more overlook the huge impact that the District Court system has on our Community's youth, in the civil system.From delinquency courts to family courts, a tremendous number of resources go toward answering one overarching question, "What is in the best interest of the child?"It is in this area that I greatly exceed the experience that the other candidates have. Prior to law school, I worked as a middle school teacher, as well as a youth and children's pastor.I have extensive training and experience working with children and addressing the issues in their lives.Experience as an attorney is only one part of the equation.Our other life experiences have a tremendous impact on the perspective that we bring to the bench.It is this experience that makes me the best candidate for Judge Franks' vacated seat. Jonathan C. Throughout my career, I have focused on state and federal constitutional issues. My experience at trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts shows a strong commitment to the rule of law. As a lawyer, I understand the importance of our founding principles and the role of the courts. As a parent, I have a special motivation to ensure the law is fairly, justly and consistently applied for future generations. I now serve as Chair of the Board of Review hearing higher-level appeals of unemployment insurance and related tax claims. For many years before that, I worked at the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law (NCICL). I fought the day-in-day- out fight for freedom. I represented ordinary taxpayers fighting to protect liberty and promote freedom by enforcing the constitution. My clients included everyday citizens, parents, school children, and charitable groups. I stood up for a wide range of North Carolinians, and I took on corporate giants and powerful politicians. I am the only candidate in the primary who has substantial hands-on experience raising state constitutional issues. With more and more state constitutional cases going to the Supreme Court, North Carolina needs Justices with a true commitment to not only the federal but also the state constitution. North Carolina needs a Court that will not thwart liberty. That is why Grassroots NC and the Family Research Council have endorsed me. I believe policy changes should come from the people, not activist judges. I have traveled the state sharing my love of the North Carolina and United States Constitutions with civic and grassroots groups. I have earned a reputation for understanding complex laws but never forgetting the fundamentals of both the state and federal constitutions and the importance of our natural rights. I graduated from Campbell Law School with honors after having completed my undergraduate four- year bachelor's degree in only two years at Auburn University. I worked as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and later worked in the appeals section of the Federal Defender handling appeals to the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and petitions to the US Supreme Court. My past work experience also includes a position at UNC's School of Government. Jeanette Doran I am a candidate for District Court Judge. My education, training and experience exemplify what a well-qualified District Court Judge should have. I earned a dual master's degree in Public Administration and Management, and graduated from The Florida State University College of Law, where I was a Virgil Hawkins Fellow. I am licensed to practice law in North Carolina and Florida, and am admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, U.S. District for the Eastern District of North Carolina, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the U.S. Supreme Court. For 22 years, I have worked as a lawyer in the private and public sectors as a prosecutor and defense attorney, in criminal, civil, military and administrative law areas. As an officer and lawyer, I honorably served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corp as a trial counsel, a Special Assistant United States Attorney, defense attorney in the 82nd Airborne Division and international law attorney for the U.S. Army Special Operations, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Commands, respectively. I was Chief of the Army's largest legal assistance office. I was an assistant state's attorney. And I previously served as a platoon leader, executive officer and acting commander with the 82nd Military Police Company, 82nd Airborne Division. I deployed to Cairo West,Egypt and Oman Jordan in support of Operation Bright Star. I also deployed to Washington, D.C., part of a special security envoy during President Ronald Regan's first inauguration. My additional law enforcement experience includes having served as a deputy sheriff. I graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger and Advanced AirborneSchools, earning the coveted Ranger Tab and Senior Jump Wings, respectively. I also graduated from the Combined Arms and Services Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; the National Security Law Summer Institute at > the University of Virginia School of Law; the U.S. Army Civil > Affairs Advanced Course, JFK Special Warfare Center and School. I > obtained the rank of Major before electing to leave the service to go into private practice. I have been a private practice attorney and small business owner for the past 15 years, while serving concurrently, for part of that time, in the Army Reserves as a JAG officer at Fort Bragg. I am a full board member of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. I am President of the Cumberland County Bar Association and the 12th Judicial District Bar Association, with nearly 400 lawyers. In a 2012 peer survey conducted by the North Carolina Bar Association, I ranked highest — in five rated categories — of the four non-incumbent judicial candidates at that time! No one will walk away feeling that the court I presided over demeaned or disrespected them. I am married to Dr. Yvette Stokes, a pediatric dentist, and have four children and one granddaughter. We are members of First Baptist Church. Steve Stokes "Serving the Citizens of Cumberland County since 1977" Leadership Paid for by Campaign to Elect Charlie Baxley Community New Safer for ELECTCHARLIE BAXLEY Sheriff for a