CharMeckVotes.org

Court of Appeals Judge – Candidate – Martha Geer

Website: judgemarthageer.com

E-mail: mgeer@judgemarthageer.com

Phone Number: (919) 256-3600

Facebook Page or URL: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Judge-Martha-Geer/47728626169

Twitter name or URL: None

Current Occupation: Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals

Education–Highest Degree: J.D.

Most important organizations you belong to (up to three): American Bar Association, League of Women Voters, North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

List up to three (3) of your most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years. (150 word limit): I was named Outstanding Appellate Judge by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice in 2005. In 2006, I was one of only 40 state government officials (and the sole judge) selected from across the country to participate as a Toll Fellow in a yearly leadership program sponsored by the Council of State Governments. In 2007, Chief Justice Parker appointed me to serve on the Family Court Advisory Council.

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): As a Court of Appeals judge for the past seven years and a lawyer for more than 19 years, I have earned a reputation for quality work. I have participated in deciding more than 2000 appeals and have personally written the primary opinion in more than 700 appeals. My opinions have remained unreversed more than 98% of the time. I am committed to carefully researching and analyzing each appeal and preparing thoughtful and precise opinions that may readily be relied upon by judges and lawyers as an accurate and clear articulation of the law. As a lawyer, I was selected for inclusion in the 2002 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and by Business North Carolina as one of the top 200 lawyers in North Carolina in 2002 and 2003. I am proud to have broad bipartisan support from both retired judges and leading lawyers across the State.

How has the state budget crisis affected the judicial process in recent years? (200 word limit): When it comes to the budget, the judicial branch is never treated as an equal branch of the government, but rather has historically been under-funded. As a result, the budget crisis, which requires further fiscal cuts from a judicial budget that has no fat, threatens core services in the judicial branch. Fewer lawyers in District Attorney and Public Defender offices delays criminal trials and clogs courts. Because of constitutional limitations, criminal cases must get priority meaning that reduced court resources impact civil cases to a greater extent. It will take longer to resolve a dispute between businesses or an individual’s claim. Antiquated equipment cannot be replaced diminishing efficiency. The lack of resources also diminishes the ability of the judicial branch to implement innovative programs, such as mental health or drug courts, statewide.

How can residents get involved in your campaign? Please include campaign manager or volunteer coordinator’s contact information.: Paula Wolfe at (919) 256-3600