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Office you seek
District Court Judge - McSwain Seat

Date of birth
03/13/1954

Occupation
Attorney                                   

Address
P.O. Box 9518
Greensboro, North Carolina 27429

Web site/e-mail address
www.chuckwhitelaw.com
chuckwhiteforjudge@mindspring.com

Education
University of Madrid - Semester Abroad - 1972
Duke University - Bachelor of Science - 1976
Wake Forest University School of Law - Juris Doctor - 1980

Elective experience
District Court Judge, 18^th Judicial District - Elected in 1992, re-elected in 1996.   

Professional credentials (specialized training or experience)
National Judicial College - General Jurisdiction Course (120 hours)
State Certified Expert Juvenile Court Judge
North Carolina Task Force on Juvenile Violence
North Carolina Task Force on Judicial Redistricting                                                          
Over 300 Hours of Continuing Judicial Education in various areas including
Domestic Violence, Impaired Driving Deterrence, Gang Violence, Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets, Child Custody, Abuse, Neglect and Dependency, Substance Abuse, Competency and general civil and criminal litigation
Certified Superior Court Civil Mediator

Family
Wife: Anna H. White
Children: Anne Marie Tosco, age 20; Emily Tosco, age 19; and Vincent Tosco, age 16.

Why have you chosen to run for this office?
In reflecting upon my twenty-eight years of experience as an attorney and as a Judge, I have come to realize that my true and highest calling is to be a Judge.  In 1999, I resigned from the District Court Bench to seek appointment to the Superior Court.  When that did not occur, I went back into practice to further broaden my experience.  I have always hoped to return to the Bench.  Judge Lawrence McSwain's decision to not seek re-election this year created the perfect opportunity, because I am uniquely qualified to immediately step in to fill the void created by his retirement, particularly in the area of Juvenile Justice.

What distinguishes you most from your opponent?
Experience: not only as a judge with extensive experience in all District Court assignments, including Juvenile Court, in Greensboro, High Point and around the State, but as a trial attorney in both State and Federal Courts.  I have tried hundreds of jury trials, thousands of bench trials in criminal, civil and juvenile courts and I have handled appeals before the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. 

What key qualifications would you bring to the job?
Experience, temperament, compassion, toughness, diligence, patience, integrity,   intelligence and an ability to quickly analyze a situation to make a well-reasoned decision efficiently without being hasty.  Overall, I am committed to making the courtroom in which I am presiding, a place where all citizens will find justice, dignity and respect.

Are you qualified to preside in every court or willing to gain the necessary qualifications?
Yes.  I have extensive experience in every court.

Where do you see the greatest shortcomings in District Court, and how could they be corrected? 
The quality of justice suffers most due to the volume of cases.  The need to "move" cases can lead to an apparent lack of professionalism for attorneys as well as for judges.  The presiding judge must not only efficiently decide each case and move it along, but he or she must maintain an atmosphere of professionalism and respect in the courtroom.  To help with the volume, we need to devise and implement more alternatives to traditional litigation.  For criminal matters, we have established an Administrative Court, a Drug Court and a Mental Health Court.  On the civil side, we have established successful mediation and arbitration programs.  These programs must be fully utilized and more programs like them need to be established.  For example, we need to look into utilizing mediation and arbitration more effectively in criminal cases.

Does everyone receive equal justice in District Court, regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender, language, income or legal representation? If not, what measures could help?
No.  It is an imperfect system, run by human beings who are, by definition, imperfect.  When I was on the Bench, I enjoyed a reputation as a judge who treated everyone who came before me with dignity and respect. That approach is an essential element in establishing equal justice.

In criminal matters, is enough done to ensure that dangerous offenders aren't released prior to trial with insufficient supervision?
Again, the system is not perfect.  We can never have all the information we need to predict the future so as to protect the community while simultaneously safeguarding the rights of the accused.  Resources for pretrial supervision are also very limited. We need more programs like those administered by the Office of Pretrial Services.

How can the court help steer troubled young people away from gangs or further criminal activity?
The courts can never replace the role of a strong family in young people's lives.  We can, however, try to be creative in crafting punishments for wrong-doing which provide mentors and positive role models for younger offenders.  We need to get community resources more involved.

What are common mistakes judges make, and how can you avoid them?
Judicial arrogance is a big problem.  Treating people with dignity and respect is the answer.

District Court Judges also have a tendency to try to make up their own rules.  While a great deal of discretion is properly exercised in District Court, as judges, we need to know the law and apply the law as it is and not as we would like for it to be, before exercising that discretion. 

Lack of balance is another problem.  A District Court Judge must balance the rights of those accused of crimes against the need to protect the community and the victims of crime.  A judge must balance the need for the courts to be "user-friendly" versus the need to maintain an atmosphere of professionalism and respect.  A judge must be both compassionate and tough.  A judge must be able to see both sides of all issues.  A judge must hear hundreds of cases each day and give each case the careful consideration it deserves.  While it is much more easily said than done, a judge must maintain balance.

How can voters judge your abilities?
Making surveys like this accessible to the public is very helpful.  I think I can speak for all candidates in saying "thank you" for doing it.  Apart from such surveys and the relatively few candidates' forums, I suggest that voters ask their friends and neighbors who have experience in the justice system what they think.  In addition to lawyers who practice in the courts, law enforcement officers, probation officers, clerk of court personnel, victims' rights advocates, volunteers and other people who work in or around the courthouse can provide valuable insights.  Of course, I am always willing to directly answer questions via email, telephone or in person and I would love an opportunity to speak formally or informally with any church group, community group or civic organization who would care to listen.