Jean is a native of Buncombe County. She attended Reynolds High School and later earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from the Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Prior to her appointment, Jean worked as an assistant public defender and legal assistant. She mainly worked with low-income children and adults in juvenile and misdemeanor cases.

Jean Marie Christy is the current Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court. She was appointed in 2023 and is serving her first term while looking to maintain her position through official election.

Candidate website

Believes legal experience includes representing low-income children and adults in juvenile and misdemeanor cases. Supports trying jury and bench trials.

Believes legal experience includes representing low-income children and adults in juvenile and misdemeanor cases, and supports trying jury and bench trials.

Believes legal experience provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and individual needs. Said, "Being a Public Defender offered an unparalleled education in understanding the courthouse, the legal system, and how to work within a larger framework while addressing individual needs."

Believes legal experience provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and individual needs, saying, "Being a Public Defender offered an unparalleled education in understanding the courthouse, the legal system, and how to work within a larger framework while addressing individual needs."

Believes in "fairness and justice for all" through her legal career. As an Assistant Public Defender, represented low-income and vulnerable adults and children.

Believes in "fairness and justice for all" through her legal career, and as an assistant public defender, represented low-income and vulnerable adults and children.

Believes legal experience and education are crucial, as evidenced by receiving the National Association of Women Lawyers Award at Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Received the National Association of Women Lawyers Award at Washington and Lee University School of Law.

- Believes legal experience includes representing low-income children and adults in juvenile and misdemeanor cases, and supports trying jury and bench trials.
- Believes legal experience provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and individual needs, saying, "Being a Public Defender offered an unparalleled education in understanding the courthouse, the legal system, and how to work within a larger framework while addressing individual needs."
- Believes in "fairness and justice for all" through her legal career, and as an assistant public defender, represented low-income and vulnerable adults and children.
- Received the National Association of Women Lawyers Award at Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Legal Experience

Believes transitioning to an electronic-based court system will improve efficiency and accessibility by making files available 24/7 and reducing paper forms. Plans to implement this system in Buncombe County by July 2024, despite anticipated growing pains.

Believes transitioning to an electronic-based court system will improve efficiency and accessibility by making files available 24/7 and reducing paper forms, and plans to implement this system in Buncombe County by July 2024.

Believes the Clerk must be proficient in all courthouse operations to ensure justice is not hampered.

Believes that transitioning to e-Courts requires "energy, tenacity, and positivity" and actively prepares staff for this change. As a Technology Committee member for the Conference of Clerks, regularly discusses e-Courts updates.

Believes that transitioning to e-Courts requires "energy, tenacity, and positivity" and actively prepares staff for this change.

Believes the Clerk’s Office significantly influences courthouse culture by being "frontline ambassadors" who assist individuals during stressful times. Supports a helpful, courteous, professional, and compassionate approach to make legal processes more approachable and positive.

Believes the Clerk’s Office significantly influences courthouse culture by being "frontline ambassadors" who assist individuals during stressful times, and supports a helpful, courteous, professional, and compassionate approach to make legal processes more approachable and positive.

Believes access to courts is crucial for justice and should not be hindered by lack of knowledge, especially for unrepresented or marginalized communities.

Believes in following the rules of evidence and allowing people to fully tell their stories to ensure fair and equitable decisions. Supports hearing all parties in a case to understand the facts and nuances.

Believes in following the rules of evidence and allowing people to fully tell their stories to ensure fair and equitable decisions, and supports hearing all parties in a case to understand the facts and nuances.

Believes knowing employees and understanding all office facets is critical for effective court administration. Said, "A good working environment means the Clerk’s office is efficient and best able to serve the public."

Believes knowing employees and understanding all office facets is critical for effective court administration, saying, "A good working environment means the Clerk’s office is efficient and best able to serve the public."

- Believes transitioning to an electronic-based court system will improve efficiency and accessibility by making files available 24/7 and reducing paper forms, and plans to implement this system in Buncombe County by July 2024.
- Believes the Clerk must be proficient in all courthouse operations to ensure justice is not hampered.
- Believes that transitioning to e-Courts requires "energy, tenacity, and positivity" and actively prepares staff for this change.
- Believes the Clerk’s Office significantly influences courthouse culture by being "frontline ambassadors" who assist individuals during stressful times, and supports a helpful, courteous, professional, and compassionate approach to make legal processes more approachable and positive.
- Believes access to courts is crucial for justice and should not be hindered by lack of knowledge, especially for unrepresented or marginalized communities.
- Believes in following the rules of evidence and allowing people to fully tell their stories to ensure fair and equitable decisions, and supports hearing all parties in a case to understand the facts and nuances.
- Believes knowing employees and understanding all office facets is critical for effective court administration, saying, "A good working environment means the Clerk’s office is efficient and best able to serve the public."

Judicial Administration

As of June 8, 2025, Jean Marie Christy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Jean Marie Christy

The Clerk of Superior Court is elected in each county through a partisan election for a four-year term. The Clerk has five main responsibilities:
- Probate Judge: Handles 46 types of actions, including managing estates, guardianship proceedings, and appointing personal representatives.
- Court Administrator: Oversees the administration of the court.
- Record Keeper: Files, processes, and maintains all cases and documents submitted to the court.
- Financial Manager: Manages the collection, investment, and distribution of money from court fees and traffic citations.
- Employee Manager: Supervises a team ranging from 5 to over 200 employees.


Oversees the county's probate court, judicial administration, records, and finances.

Buncombe Clerk of Superior Court

Election results

Candidates (1)