<body><div> Name as it appears on the ballot: Karl Roth <figure class="alignright size-large"><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1ybOcd_0w9WQMiT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1ybOcd_0w9WQMiT00" width="780" height="975" ><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">IVORYY </figcaption></figure> Age: 58 Party affiliation: Republican Campaign website: <a href="https://rothforjudge.com/" rel="nofollow"> Rothforjudge.com </a> Occupation &amp; employer: Attorney.&nbsp; Roth Law Group LLC 1) Please tell us what in your record as a public official or private citizen demonstrates your ability to be effective, fair, and impartial on the bench? Please be specific. What do you believe qualifies you to serve as a district court judge? <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> I have been a licensed attorney since 2001 and have practiced in the areas of commercial litigation, family law and criminal law.&nbsp; I’m licensed in North Carolina, Illinois, the U.S. District Courts of Illinois and North Carolina, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp; I am a NCDRC Superior Court and Family Financial Mediator and I am a volunteer Child Support Enforcement defense attorney in the Wake County District Court.&nbsp; I served 14 years in the Marine Corps with individuals from diverse backgrounds, both as an artillery officer and KC130 Pilot.&nbsp; As a leader and mentor to young Marines, I was able to form meaningful connections that transcended race, socioeconomic status, age and gender.&nbsp; I served as an aircraft commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom and individuals from all different backgrounds worked together as Marines to achieve the objectives with which we were tasked.&nbsp; There was no place for bias in the military of any kind and that experience, along with growing up in a working-class family, has shaped how I treat people with respect, regardless of race or gender, where they come from, their socioeconomic status or education.&nbsp; I believe this allows me to view people impartially and my faithful dedication to the law, patience and compassion will allow me to be an effective district court judge who serves the people of Wake County with fairness and without bias. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> 2) How do you define yourself politically? How does that impact your judicial approach? I am a registered Republican who is conservative while leaning moderate on social issues.&nbsp; A district court judge serves the people and must&nbsp;render decisions&nbsp;based upon the law and facts without regard for their personal political views. 3) What do you believe are the three most important qualities a judge must have to be an effective jurist? 1)&nbsp;Impartiality.&nbsp; Justice must be equal, and someone’s connections or financial status should not give them special treatment over those who don’t have these advantages; 2)&nbsp;Knowledge of the law.&nbsp; A judge must know and understand the law, must read cases and briefs, and must apply the law to the facts; and 3)&nbsp;Compassion.&nbsp; A judge must have compassion for both victims and defendants and should consider each case on its own merits…without any preconceived bias. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> 4) In a sentence, how would you define your judicial philosophy? My philosophy is that all people&nbsp;are entitled to&nbsp;equal justice under law;&nbsp;regardless of race, religion, gender&nbsp;or&nbsp;socioeconomic status. 5) Black North Carolinians are incarcerated at six times the rate of whites. How do you see your responsibility as a judge in addressing racial inequity in the justice system? There is no place for inequality in the justice system and it must be eradicated.&nbsp; It is the responsibility of a judge to view people as individuals and justice must be blind and decisions rendered based upon the law and facts.&nbsp; All people must be viewed as equal and treated with respect.&nbsp; If racial inequality is found to have occurred in any part of the process, a judge has the responsibility to right those wrongs to ensure fairness is restored. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> 6) Do you believe the cash bail system is in need of reform? What changes do you believe are necessary to ensure those accused of crimes are not incarcerated due to their inability to afford bond? What factors do you consider when determining the bond amount? There is no doubt that bail reform needs to be addressed.&nbsp; Many first-time non-violent offenders should be considered for pre-trial release without having to post a cash bond.&nbsp; The purpose of a bond is to ensure an individual will show for trial.&nbsp; In many of these cases the bond isn’t necessary and only serves to deny freedom to people who are presumed innocent and simply cannot come up with&nbsp;enough&nbsp;money to gain their pre-trial release.&nbsp; With that said, habitual offenders and those who are accused of violent crimes,&nbsp;or crimes against children,&nbsp;should be required to post a bond&nbsp;if eligible for pre-trial release in an amount that ensures that they will appear at trial to face justice. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> 7) Do you support restorative justice practices prior to sentencing? If so, how would you seek to implement those practices in your capacity as a judge? Which types of cases do you think should be eligible? I support restorative justice as I believe it serves two purposes: 1) it gives individuals a chance to recover from a mistake that might otherwise result in life changing consequences; and 2) it keeps people out of the system and allows them to accept responsibility, make restitution&nbsp;to their victims&nbsp;and gives them the chance to turn their lives around.&nbsp; Many non-violent misdemeanor cases should be considered for restorative justice for non-habitual offenders.&nbsp; Not all cases deserve retributive justice when better alternatives exist that lead to more positive outcomes. 8) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes, such as low-level drug offenses? Why or why not? <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Mandatory sentencing can remove a judge’s ability to consider mitigating factors and alternatives such as&nbsp;restorative justice measures.&nbsp; I believe that sentencing for many low-level crimes should be left to the discretion of the judge in most instances. 9) Some district courts are implementing misdemeanor diversion programs for young and/or first-time offenders. Do you believe programs like these are effective? I am in favor of diversion programs and believe that they can be effective for young and first-time offenders.&nbsp; People make mistakes and bad decisions every day.&nbsp; However, in many cases, justice can still be served through diversion programs such as what is already in place in Wake County, and people should be given the opportunity to recover from minor violations of the law without facing lifelong consequences. 10) In many cases, voters know very little about the judges they are electing. Tell us something about yourself that our readers may be surprised to learn. I am a dedicated father of two teenagers and proud Marine Corps Veteran.&nbsp; I am a Christian and believe that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and that we should live by the Golden Rule.&nbsp; I&nbsp;believe that I&nbsp;have a responsibility to help others and view being an attorney as a privilege that I am fortunate to have earned.&nbsp; I’m a defender of the Constitution and&nbsp;believe in&nbsp;the rule of law.&nbsp; As an outdoorsman and conservationist, I enjoy spending time in nature, fishing, hiking and hunting.&nbsp; I am proud to call North Carolina my home since my time in the early 1990s when I was stationed at Cherry Point MCAS, and I would be honored to serve the people of Wake County as a district court judge. The post <a href="https://indyweek.com/news/elections-news/candidate-questionnaire-karl-roth-nc-district-court-10-d-seat-3/" rel="nofollow"> Candidate Questionnaire: Karl Roth, NC District Court 10 D, Seat 3 </a> appeared first on <a href="https://indyweek.com" rel="nofollow"> INDY Week </a> . </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

Name as it appears on the ballot:  Karl Roth Age: 58 Party affiliation: Republican            Campaign website: Rothforjudge.com Occupation & employer: Attorney.  Roth Law Group LLC 1) Please tell us what in your record as a public official or private citizen demonstrates your ability to be effective, fair, and impartial on the bench? Please be […]
The post Candidate Questionnaire: Karl Roth, NC District Court 10 D, Seat 3 appeared first on INDY Week.