Carolyn attended Hampton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and received her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She serves as a volunteer Teen Court Judge and youth mentor.

Carolyn has served as a District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge for over 27 years. She has presided over criminal, domestic, juvenile, and mental health proceedings. She is also an attorney at law at her own law office, opened in 2019, and has over 25 years of legal and judicial experience. Carolyn is a state-certified mediator for Superior Court cases as well.

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Carolyn was appointed to the NC Court of Appeals in 2023. She was also a Deputy Commissioner for the Industrial Commission.

Carolyn has served as a District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge since 2008. She has presided over criminal, domestic, juvenile, and mental health proceedings. 

Carolyn is also an attorney at law at her own law office, which she opened in 2019.

Carolyn is a state-certified mediator for Superior Court cases. A mediator is a neutral third party who settles disputes between parties, as an alternative to going to court.

- Carolyn has served as a District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge since 2008. She has presided over criminal, domestic, juvenile, and mental health proceedings. 
- Carolyn is also an attorney at law at her own law office, which she opened in 2019.
- Carolyn is a state-certified mediator for Superior Court cases. A mediator is a neutral third party who settles disputes between parties, as an alternative to going to court.

Legal Experience

As of June 14, 2024, Carolyn Jennings Thompson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Has advocated to change the district's court dockets so judges can hear domestic violence cases separately from the general civil docket, reducing delays in the justice system.

- Has advocated to change the district's court dockets so judges can hear domestic violence cases separately from the general civil docket, reducing delays in the justice system.

Judicial Administration

States that "true justice is independent of party affiliation, divisive ideologies, and social differences."

Says she "understands the importance of upholding the Constitution and applying the law to the facts of each case."

- States that "true justice is independent of party affiliation, divisive ideologies, and social differences."
- Says she "understands the importance of upholding the Constitution and applying the law to the facts of each case."

Judicial Philosophy

Serves as a Teen Court Judge to aid first-time juvenile offenders in learning responsibility and more about the justice system.

- Serves as a Teen Court Judge to aid first-time juvenile offenders in learning responsibility and more about the justice system.

Community Involvement

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Carolyn Jennings Thompson

Tom Murry is a husband, and a father to two teenage girls and a young son.

Tom is an attorney and state prosecutor who has served as a judge advocate in the NC Army National Guard. He was deployed to the Middle East with an engineer battalion, and has served as a full-time legal assistance attorney with soldiersand their family. He has been an adjunct professor at Regent University School of Law since 2020.

Tom has served for nearly a decade in elected office at both municipal and legislative levels. 

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Tom has served as an assistant district attorney (prosecutor), and as part of executive leadership at the NC Judicial Branch working with the Chief Justice. He has also worked with small businesses on regulatory issues and insurance claims."

Has served as an assistant district attorney (prosecutor), working as part of executive leadership at the NC Judicial Branch and collaborating with the Chief Justice.

The candidate's website says, "Tom serves as vice-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Criminal Justice Section. He has served as an adjunct at Regent University School of Law since 2020."

Served as vice-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Criminal Justice Section.

Believes assisting soldiers with immigration during deployment, leading to U.S. citizenship at embassies, is a rewarding legal experience.

Believes in a collaborative relationship between the legal community and law enforcement, emphasizing their shared goal of community safety and valuing the daily sacrifices of public safety officers.

- Has served as an assistant district attorney (prosecutor), working as part of executive leadership at the NC Judicial Branch and collaborating with the Chief Justice.
- Served as vice-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Criminal Justice Section.
- Believes assisting soldiers with immigration during deployment, leading to U.S. citizenship at embassies, is a rewarding legal experience.
- Believes in a collaborative relationship between the legal community and law enforcement, emphasizing their shared goal of community safety and valuing the daily sacrifices of public safety officers.

As of June 14, 2024, Tom Murry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in originalism, textualism for Constitutional interpretation, supports judicial restraint, recognizes separation of powers, and opposes judiciary's involvement in policy-making, emphasizing its role in law application.

- Believes in originalism, textualism for Constitutional interpretation, supports judicial restraint, recognizes separation of powers, and opposes judiciary's involvement in policy-making, emphasizing its role in law application.

Supports community involvement in public safety; values volunteer work by the WNC DWI task force and engagement with officials for road safety advocacy, appreciates Rep. Clampitt's attendance and endorsement, and acknowledges Ellen Pitt's contributions to law enforcement support.

Supports community involvement in public safety; values volunteer work by the WNC DWI task force and engagement with officials for road safety advocacy.

Believes in community involvement through local organizations, highlighting Ann Martin's past presidency and efforts to elect conservatives within the Crystal Coast GOP Women's Club, and values personal connections made during legal service in the NC Judicial Branch.

Believes in community involvement through local organizations, highlighting personal connections made during legal service in the NC Judicial Branch.

- Supports community involvement in public safety; values volunteer work by the WNC DWI task force and engagement with officials for road safety advocacy.
- Believes in community involvement through local organizations, highlighting personal connections made during legal service in the NC Judicial Branch.

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Tom Murry

- The Court of Appeals Judge reviews proceedings that occurred in the trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure. They decide if the trial court correctly applied the law to the case.
- The Court of Appeals Judge deals with a majority of cases appealed from the Superior and District courts in civil and criminal cases.
- They are the only intermediate appellate court in the state, meaning they are the only court that sits between lower courts and the state Supreme Court.
- Judges on the Court of Appeals are elected for an 8-year term and there are 15 total judges.  Elections are partisan. 

Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 12

Election results

Candidates (2)

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement