Hello, I am your Durham County District Court Judge.  I thank you for re-electing me for a fourth term.  I enjoy being a public servant and protecting children is my passion.  I believe Durham citizens deserve someone who they can trust, someone who can relate to the issues that they deal with on a daily basis and someone who will serve them with fairness, impartiality, compassion and ensure that justice is the ultimate goal in our court system.

In each of the trials and cases that come before me, I am called upon to listen and decide from the facts presented and apply them to the applicable laws.  All court participants whether they are witnesses, victims, or defendants are hurting, sometimes angry, and even fearful of the outcome and how it may impact their life and the lives of their families. My responsibility is to discern the truth and the credibility of witnesses and the evidence presented in any given situation. This requires patience and a willingness to listen as each side presents their case even if they have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings. It also means being understanding even if the witnesses’ statements and evidence are contrary to what is considered traditional and acceptable. Judges have broad discretion in determining the weight to be given to the evidence presented and are required to use this discretion wisely. Therefore, I have to be attentive and discerning while remaining open to whatever issue may arise. I believe that this is what I do best. As a District Court Judge, I am tasked with making fair and impartial decisions while applying the relevant laws based upon the facts presented in the case. I do so without regard to outside influences and pressures such as financial contributions, political leanings and support, socio-economic status, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or the national origin of the persons that appear before the court.  This often means making decisions that are neither necessarily popular nor pleasing to every party involved.   I do this in a respectful and compassionate, but firm manner.

I look forward to continuing serving the citizens of Durham County as your District Court Judge.

Thank you!  Judge Doretta Walker

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