Bill Summaries: H820 (2013-2014 Session)

Tracking:
  • Bill H 820 (2013-2014)
    Summary date: May 9 2013 - View summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

    Amends GS 7A-142 to delete changes to the 1st edition, which eliminated the nomination process for filling the unexpired term of a vacating judge. Reinstates provisions for current law calling for a nomination process with the appointment to be made by the governor, exceptstates that the Governor may select from the nominations submitted by the bar of the judicial district as defined in GS 84-19 with some specified exceptions (was, appointment by the Governor from the nominations submitted by the bar of the judicial district). Also provides that the bar of the judicial district has 30 days to submit nominations to the Governor. Does not reinstate provisions that directed the governor to fill the vacancy within 60 days after the district bar submitted its nominations, nor those providing that failure by the Governor to appoint a district bar nominee to fill the vacancy will result in the nominee with the highest number of votes from the district bar filling the vacancy, or that if the district bar fails to meet the 30-day deadline, the Governor may fill the vacancy without waiting for nominations.

    Amends GS 7A-146(b) to clarify that the chief district judge is to ensure the best and most efficient use of court resources by making the fullest use of magistrates for less complex cases and for administrative and other matters (was, for traffic court and for administrative and other matters) towhich magistrates are assigned so as to leave district court judges available for matters more suited to the expertiseof a district court judge.
    Court System
    GS 7A, GS 120
  • Bill H 820 (2013-2014)
    Summary date: Apr 15 2013 - View summary

    Repeals GS Chapter 7A, Article 40A (NC Courts Commission). Amends GS 120-70.94, expanding the subject of the study to include the budget, programs, and policies of the Judicial Department. Also directs the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety to study the needs of the Judicial Department as well as the structure, organization, jurisdiction, and personnel of the courts to determine ways in which the General Assembly can make legislative changes  to improve the administration of justice. Effective July 1, 2013.

    Amends GS 7A-142 requiring a vacancy in the office of district judge be filled for the unexpired term by appointment of the Governor. All other exemptions and provisions in this section are deleted.

    Amends GS 7A-146(b) requiring utilization of magistrates for traffic court and other administrative matters to allow district court judges more availability for specialized cases and other matters more suited to the expertise of a district court judge. Applies to cases assigned on or after July 1, 2013.
    Court System
    GS 7A, GS 120

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