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Court of Appeals Judge – Candidate – Ann Marie Calabria

Website: www.judgecalabria.com

E-mail: judgecalabria@gmail.com

Phone Number: (919) 467-5541

Facebook Page or URL: RE-ELECT JUDGE ANN MARIE CALABRIA – N.C. COURT OF APPEALS

Twitter name or URL: JudgeCalabria

Current Occupation: Judge, NC Court of Appeals

Education–Highest Degree: Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, J.D., 1983

Most important organizations you belong to (up to three): Literacy Council of Wake County: improves the lives of people by teaching basic literacy and life skills for economic and social success
BarCARES: is a confidential, short-term intervention program provided for attorneys, law students and family members. The program provides confidential assistance and brief, solution-oriented counseling.

List up to three (3) of your most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years. (150 word limit): I was awarded “2009 Volunteer of the Year” by the Literacy Council of Wake County for my work as Chairperson of the Juvenile Outreach Literacy Team. I facilitated direct one-on-one tutoring for students, ages 6-17, at the Juvenile Literacy Center at the Wake County Courthouse.

Since I am a certified Juvenile Court Judge, for this year’s Court Improvement Project, I presented methods to Juvenile Court Judges, attorneys and social workers to decrease the number of appeals which helps to expedite the process of providing safe homes for children.

In 2007, I received the James Iredell Award by Campbell University’s chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. This award is given annually to individuals who make significant contributions to the legal profession and to the Campbell University School of Law.

What qualities, other than obvious fairness and impartiality, will you/do you bring to the bench that makes you a good judge? (150 word limit): Voters evaluate candidates for the Court of Appeals on judicial experience and philosophy. I am the only candidate for this Court of Appeals seat who has served as an appellate court judge, a mediator, a district court judge, a juvenile court judge and an attorney with business management experience. As an appellate judge, I have handled over 2,400 cases and have authored over 700 opinions. My opinions can be found at www.nccourts.org. As a trial judge, I have handled over 50,000 District Court civil, criminal and juvenile cases.
I have a consistent judicial philosophy. I believe the United States and North Carolina Constitutions established federal and state governments of limited powers. Judges also have an important but limited role: protecting individual liberty, applying the law fairly and recognizing the authorities, responsibilities and limits on each branch of government. I also believe in judicial restraint, not judicial activism.

How has the state budget crisis affected the judicial process in recent years? (200 word limit): My greatest concern is the protection of our children. Preventing crime is the most basic function of government yet, the probation system loses far too many offenders, with many returning as violent offenders. A large proportion of inmates have serious mental illnesses, and many of them could have been diverted from incarceration into the community care they need. According to The News & Observer, from 2000 to 2008, 580 offenders killed while on probation, and probation officers couldn’t locate nearly 14,000 of the 114,000 criminals supposedly under their supervision. An example of our failed probation system is the Eve Carson case.

How can residents get involved in your campaign? Please include campaign manager or volunteer coordinator’s contact information.: Residents in every county can help my statewide campaign in a number of ways. I need your vote and your friend’s votes! If you, or anyone in your family, live in North Carolina, you can vote and you can help! Be sure to check to make sure your voter registration is current. Vote early and please take a friend to vote with you! Check your calendar and if you are unavailable on November 2nd, obtain an absentee vote or vote at an early voting site – the sites are listed on your local board of elections website or go to: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/.
The judges are listed on the ballot as non-partisan. You must vote for each judge separately, we are not included in a straight ticket vote. Educate yourself about the judges and please visit my website www.judgecalabria.com and email my campaign manager at judgecalabria@gmail.com with your availability to volunteer or any questions. Please share my website information and our Facebook page “Re-Elect Judge Ann Marie Calabria – N.C. Court of Appeals” with your family and friends in the State of North Carolina – this is a STATEWIDE election.
My service as a Judge on the Court of Appeals has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. My 22 years of experience in both the private and government sectors has prepared me for another eight year term on the Court of Appeals. I hope to continue this service and would be honored by your vote at early voting, starting October 14 or on Tuesday, November 2nd. www.judgecalabria.com