Ballotpedia, Ericka Y. James

Ericka holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a law degree from Regent University School of Law. She is married to her husband, Ronald, with whom she has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Their family lives in Goldsboro and are members of St. Mark Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ.

Ericka previously worked as an assistant district attorney for the state of North Carolina. She also worked as a private practice attorney and assistant public defender in Virginia. 

Ericka James previously served as a district court judge in District 8. She was elected to this position in 2012 and served for 2 terms. 

As district court judge,  James presided over cases involving juvenile, civil, criminal, and involuntary commitment matters. 

As a private practice attorney, James researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

As an assistant district attorney, James prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As district court judge,  James presided over cases involving juvenile, civil, criminal, and involuntary commitment matters. 
- As a private practice attorney, James researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.
- As an assistant district attorney, James prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Legal Experience

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

Ethics & Conduct

Wants to improve court efficiency and avoid unnecessary delays.

- Wants to improve court efficiency and avoid unnecessary delays.

Judicial Administration

Believes representation in leadership roles inspires young people and promotes diversity. Said, "Young girls should see women in their community in positions of leadership" and "African Americans should see people who look like them in positions of leadership."

Supports uplifting underrepresented groups in professional fields.  

- Supports uplifting underrepresented groups in professional fields.  

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Ericka James

Believes extensive legal experience, including roles as a judge, prosecutor, public defender, and private attorney, is crucial. Said, "I have prosecuted and defended people accused of every level of criminal offense."

Believes legal experience is crucial, having served as a District Court judge for Wayne, Lenoir, and Greene counties over the past decade.

Believes extensive legal experience is crucial, having served as a District Court Judge for nearly a decade. Plans to leverage her legal career to serve as Superior Court Judge for Wayne County.

Believes extensive legal experience is crucial for a Superior Court Judge. As a District Court Judge, served Wayne, Lenoir, and Greene Counties for nearly a decade.

The candidate's website says, "Judge Ericka James has been on the bench for more than a decade. Here’s what she’s learned."

Believes in improving court efficiency without compromising due process, ensuring expedited decisions and timely trials. Said, "Justice delayed is justice denied."

Wants to improve court efficiency without compromising due processes. 

Believes improving court efficiency is essential to prevent unnecessary delays in justice. Plans to ensure "orderly operation of our courtrooms" for fair hearings and judgments.

Believes the “No Nonsense Judge” will improve court efficiency without compromising due process and everyone’s right to be heard.

Believes in demanding respect for the court, each other, and the law. Said, "Everyone involved deserves to be heard."

Believes local courts are essential for safe communities and equal justice. Said, "I’ve prided myself on building a reputation as a 'no-nonsense judge' who treats everyone with respect, who listens to all sides and who strictly follows the law."

Believes local courts are essential for safe communities and equal justice. Said, "I’ve prided myself on building a reputation as a 'No Nonsense Judge' who treats everyone with respect, who listens to all sides and who strictly follows the law."

Supports efforts to enhance participants' future prospects through apprenticeships and higher education in the legal profession.

Believes local courts are essential for ensuring "equal justice under the law." Said, "I’ve prided myself on building a reputation as a 'no-nonsense judge' who treats everyone with respect, who listens to all sides and who strictly follows the law."

Said, "I’ve prided myself on building a reputation as a 'no-nonsense judge' who treats everyone with respect, who listens to all sides and who strictly follows the law."

Believes in the importance of "truly listening to people" and ensuring "everyone deserves to be heard" before making judicial decisions. Supports judicial restraint by not prejudging cases and considering all evidence.

Supports judicial restraint by not prejudging cases and considering all evidence.

Believes "no man is above the law" and that unequal treatment in courts undermines public faith in the legal system. Supports the idea that courts should protect everyone, not just crime victims.

Believes "no man is above the law" and that unequal treatment in courts undermines public faith in the legal system.

Believes in active community involvement through volunteer work, community service, and participation in local organizations. Said, "No one could outdo Miss Ernestine when it came to community service," highlighting her extensive contributions well into her 90s.

The candidate's website says, "“Staff from here (Partnership) and the early childhood department at Wayne will help teach each of these classes so when a person completes the trainings they will have all the certifications, no cost to them,” Wallace said. “Typically there is a cost associated with training but we’re doing everything for free for them.”"

The candidate's website says, "With sorrow but so many inspiringly fond memories, I want to share the sad news of the passing of Ernestine Wooten. Miss Ernestine has been a community builder, role model, advisor and mentor to so many here in Wayne County for decades. She passed on last week at age 98. She led an incredibly full and active life."

The candidate's website says, "If you live in Wayne County, you don’t have to look far to find someone with a generous story about Ernestine Wooten. Even though she has passed on, Miss Ernestine’s inspiration will always live with so many of us. I will always remember her energy, optimism, and consistent determination to bring people together and move our community forward."

Supports community involvement by seeking sponsorships to provide snacks for volunteers during lunch hours.

The candidate's website says, "Join Judge James & Wayne Co. Democrats as they knock on doors to let people know about the March 5th Primary Election."

The candidate's website says, "“I know other counties have implemented this (model), that’s where we got the idea,” Wallace said, citing such counties as Catawba and Buncombe as blazing the proverbial trail. “This county’s very fortunate to have WCC because they’re so supportive of anything related to young children and does want to make early childhood a focus.”"

The candidate's website says, "Group photo of the 2020 celebration of Jack & Jill Chapter of Eastern NC. Attendees pictured on bottom row included former Goldsboro Mayor Al King (2nd for left), myself, Miss Ernestine, former US Rep. Eva Clayton, and current US Rep. Don Davis."

The candidate's website says, "Judge Ericka James Reading with K-3rd Graders"

James Files to Run for Superior Court Judge in Wayne County

Ballotpedia

Ericka earned a bachelor's degree from  Virginia Commonwealth University and a law degree from Regent University School of Law. She is married to her husband, Ronald, and together they have three children and four grandchildren. They reside in Goldsboro, North Carolina and are members of St. Mark Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, in Goldsboro.

Ericka worked as an assistant district attorney for District 8 prior to her election. She has also worked as a private practice attorney, assistant public defender, and prosecutor.

Ericka James served as a District Court Judge in Wayne County since first being elected in 2012, and subsequently re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She stepped down in 2021 and later returned to serve as an Emergency District Court Judge.

As district court judge, presided over cases involving juvenile, civil, criminal, and involuntary commitment.

As a prosecutor and public defender, worked on felonies and misdemeanors.

- As district court judge, presided over cases involving juvenile, civil, criminal, and involuntary commitment.
- As a prosecutor and public defender, worked on felonies and misdemeanors.

Candidate website

Supports improving court efficiency without compromising due process, ensuring expedited decisions and timely trials and said, "Justice delayed is justice denied."

- Supports improving court efficiency without compromising due process, ensuring expedited decisions and timely trials and said, "Justice delayed is justice denied."
- Supports efforts to enhance participants' future prospects through apprenticeships and higher education in the legal profession.

Believes courts should provide justice impartially and judges must "strictly uphold the law" without political influence.

Believes court decisions should be based on facts, evidence, and law, not political ideology. Said, "court is about real people with real problems and that has zero to do with political ideology."

Believes in judicial restraint, emphasizing a courtroom that "follows the law, not the current winds of politics." As a District Court judge, committed to fairness and equality under the law.

Supports judicial restraint, emphasizing a courtroom that "follows the law, not the current winds of politics." As a District Court judge, committed to fairness and equality under the law.

Believes judges must be fair and free from political bias. Said, "The law should apply equally to everyone — no exceptions."

Believes justice is essential for healthy communities and that judges must rule fairly according to the law. Said, “It’s a judge’s role to deliver justice by ruling fairly according to the law without fear or favor.”

Believes in focusing on the law rather than politics and prioritizing people over party.

Believes in a solemn responsibility to uphold the law, serve the community, and ensure justice for all.

Believes courts should be guided by the rule of law, ensure equal justice, and be managed by experienced judges. Supports efficient case management without compromising due process.

Believes courts should be guided by the rule of law, ensure equal justice, and be managed by experienced judges.

Believes local courts are essential for safe communities and equal justice. Said, "I’ve prided myself on building a reputation as a 'No Nonsense Judge' who treats everyone with respect, who listens to all sides, and who strictly follows the law."

Said, "I’ve prided myself on building a reputation as a 'No Nonsense Judge' who treats everyone with respect, who listens to all sides, and who strictly follows the law."

Said, "Young girls should see women in their community in positions of leadership" and "African Americans should see people who look like them in positions of leadership."

- Said, "I’ve prided myself on building a reputation as a 'no-nonsense judge' who treats everyone with respect, who listens to all sides and who strictly follows the law."
- Supports judicial restraint by not prejudging cases and considering all evidence.
- Believes "no man is above the law" and that unequal treatment in courts undermines public faith in the legal system.
- Said, "Young girls should see women in their community in positions of leadership" and "African Americans should see people who look like them in positions of leadership."

Ericka James resides in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she completed her education in 1995, and Regent University School of Law, where she earned her law degree in 2002. She and her husband, Ronald, have three children and four grandchildren. They are members of St. Mark Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, in Goldsboro.

Ericka James served as a District Court Judge in Wayne County and was the first African-American woman to hold this position. She was elected to the District Court bench in 2012, reelected in 2016 and 2020, and stepped down in 2021 to focus on family. After her husband's health improved, she returned to serve as an Emergency District Court Judge. She has filed as a candidate for Superior Court Judge in the judicial district that includes all of Wayne County.

Ericka James has served as a District Court Judge in Wayne County since first being elected in 2012, and subsequently re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She has filed as a candidate for Superior Court Judge in the judicial district that includes all of Wayne County. There is no mention of her serving on any appointments or committees, nor any other political offices she has run for.

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.