Walczyk, Christine Marie

Meet the Candidate

Party Legend

  • DDemocrat
  • GGreen
  • LLibertarian
  • RRepublican

Running For:
NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 3
Political Affiliation:
D
Candidate Website:
https://judgechristine.org

Survey

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Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Which current Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court best reflects your judicial philosophy? W* My hope is that all of the current justices agree that the judiciary is meant to be a co-equal, independent branch that serves as a check on the other two political branches. I hope they all believe that judges are sworn to uphold the Constitution and our laws, without regard to partisan agendas.
2. Rate your judicial philosophy toward the Constitution on a scale of 1-10 with a “living document” approach being a 1 and an “originalism” approach being a 10. W* I do not use these labels to describe my philosophy. Most judges don’t use them, and they seem to be used primarily by people who want to criticize judges. I do not subscribe to any single interpretive approach, such as purposivism or textualism; rather, I strive to apply the law thoughtfully, faithfully, and with careful attention to its words, purpose, and practical consequences. Judges are required to apply the words of the Constitution to current real-world situations. For example, the Fourth amendment guarantees the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Courts have been required to apply the meaning of the Fourth Amendment to situations involving the use of modern technology. The drafters could not have envisioned drones over our heads, air tags, or wiretapping. The meaning of the Constitution in these contexts cannot be completely fixed, because the drafters could not have anticipated the technological advances and evolving social structures that shape our modern world.
3. Please list the organizations with which you have been involved over the past five years through membership, religious affiliation, pro-bono legal work, or volunteer service. W* National Association of Women Judges, 2020-Present ? Judicial Independence Committee, 2022-Present International Focus and the U.S. State Dept. International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) ? Roundtable Discussions with Foreign Dignitaries, 2012-Present North Carolina Association of District Court Judges, 2007- Present ? CLE Committee 2024-Present North Carolina Bar Association, 1995-Present ? Committee on Women in the Legal Profession, 1996-Present ? Led effort to publish “The Changing Face of Justice: A Look at the First 100 Women Attorneys in North Carolina” ? Chair and Vice Chair, 2005-2008North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys, 1995-Present ? Judicial Division Chair 2022-Present ? Board of Directors, 2000-2002 ? Education Committee, 2000-2004 Custody Mediation Advisory Committee, 2020-Present Tenth Judicial District Bar, 1995-Present Wake County Bar Association, 1995-Present ? Board of Directors, 2021-2024 Legal Support Center of Wake County, Advisory Board, 2023-Present
4. In the space below, please describe your overall judicial philosophy. W* I believe that every individual is entitled to a fair hearing before a judge who applies the law impartially, without favoritism or bias. One’s race, political affiliation, religion, or socio-economic status should have no bearing on the outcome of a case.The most influential documents guiding my interpretation of statutes and laws are the United States and North Carolina Constitutions. I strive to apply the law thoughtfully, faithfully, and with careful attention to its words, purpose, and practical consequences. I am guided in my interpretative approach by the doctrines of stare decisis and judicial restraint. I believe that courts should exercise caution before departing from prior decisions of the same or a higher court. Consistency and stability are essential to the public’s confidence in the legal system. At the same time, I recognize that the Constitution and our laws must be interpreted in the context of evolving societal conditions and values.Equally important is the oath of office that I have taken and will take again if elected to the Court of Appeals. This oath commits judges to support and uphold both the Constitutions and laws of the United States and of North Carolina, safeguarding the individual liberties they enumerate like the right to free speech, due process, religious freedom, and the right to vote. It serves as a constant reminder of the responsibility entrusted to judges to protect constitutional principles while faithfully applying the law.
5. In the space below, please describe the role faith plays in your daily life. W* My faith is deeply personal and immensely private. As a practicing Catholic, love for my family and my community is at the heart of my faith. Love shapes how I use the gifts God has given me, how I treat others, how I navigate conflict, and how I strive to remain true to the teachings of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 13.