Mecklenburg voters will decide Nov. 3 who will fill three Mecklenburg district court judgeships. Harris was appointed to the bench in 1981. Supporters say she's earned a reputation for fairness and integrity. During almost two decades on the bench, Harris has handled everything from involuntary commitments and bond hearings to criminal misdemeanor trials and civil cases. For much of her judicial career, she's handled juvenile and family court cases.
Defendants have rights.
But the reason our courts were established was to protect the community. Right now, I think they're being ignored. Link Rickye McKoy-Mitchell took a chance in June when she quit her job as a prosecutor and accepted Gov. Jim Hunt's appointment to a Mecklenburg District Court judgeship. She knew then that she'd have to win election in less than five months to keep the judgeship. She faces Concord lawyer Kevin Link in the Nov. 3 election.