Rachel Answers Leaque Of Women
Voters Questions Of Mecklenburg County

League of Women Voters ON LINE VOTER GUIDE for Mecklenburg County

General Election on November 7, 2006

JUDICIAL

Candidate Name: Rachel Lea Hunter
Phone Number: 877-893-3713
Email Address: rachel@rachelforjustice.com
Current Occupation: Attorney
Education-Highest Degree: J.D.

Three (3) most important organizations you belong to: North Carolina Bar Association; Democratic Women of Guilford County; Supporter, Joy A. Shabazz Center for Independent Living/ConsumersAdvocay Network/Disabled.

Three (3) most important accomplishments: (1) "driving while black" case; (2) DNA case; (3) generally ensuring that defendants received a fair trial.

1. What past experience do you think best prepares you for this office?

Please see my website in greater detail. I grew up in the law and graduated in the top third of my law school class. I have been practicing law for nearly 18 years. I worked for the trial and appellate courts for over 12 years. I wrote over 500 opinions for the judges that I worked for; although their name is on the opinion, the words and ideas are mine. I have been in private practice for 6 years handling federal and state appeals. I want to put my talents to work now for the citizens of this state.

2. What initiatives would you support to improve your division of the North Carolina Court System?

(1) adopt electronic filing; (2) adopt mechanisms for dealing with speedy trial or production of trial transcripts; (3) improve the funding for our courts; (4) to the extent that it is within the power of the court, these issues should be addressed: (a) reform family law so it is not an adversarial proceeding; (b) abolish "Heart Balm" and related actions or laws, like the cohabitation law that are ; antiquated; and (c) adopt comparative negligence as contributory negligence is unjust and unfair.

3. What do you consider your greatest strength, in regard to this position as judge?

What separates me from others is that throughout my career, I have stood for the enforcement of individuals' rights. I had the first "driving while black case" and determined that evidence should be suppressed. I had one of the early DNA cases and determined that a convicted defendant should be given the DNA test that he asked for. I have walked the walk. When given the chance to stand up for the rights of taxpayers, criminal defendants, for fathers or for property owners, my opponent did not do it. I will.

Link to candidate's web site: www.rachelforjustice.com