O. Henry Willis, Jr.
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O. Henry Willis, Jr. is a district court judge for the 11th Judicial District, serving Harnett, Johnston, and Lee counties of North Carolina.[1] He first served on this court from 1987 to 1992. In 2007, he returned to the bench. Willis was re-elected on November 8, 2016.[2][3][4]
Education
Willis received his B.A. in politics and criminal justice from North Carolina State University in 1975 and his J.D. from the Campbell University School of Law in 1979.[5]
Career
- 2007-2016: District Court Judge, 11th Judicial District
- 1993-2007: Attorney in private practice
- 1987-1992: District Court Judge, 11th Judicial District
- 1981-1987: Dunn City Attorney
- 1979-1987: Attorney in private practice[2]
Willis has also served as a deputy sheriff in Harnett County.[5]
Elections
2016
North Carolina held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on March 15, 2016.[6] Incumbent O. Henry Willis, Jr. ran unopposed in the North Carolina Judicial District 11 general election for the Willis seat.[7]
| North Carolina Judicial District 11 (Willis Seat), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 O. Henry Willis, Jr. Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 86,933 |
| Total Votes | 86,933 | |
| Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Unofficial election results," accessed November 8, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan election of judges
The North Carolina District Courts utilize partisan elections in the selection of judges. District judges serve four-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to continue serving. From 2002 through 2016, elections for district court judges were nonpartisan; however, on March 23, 2017, the North Carolina legislature changed the method of election to partisan elections by overriding Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of HB 100. This change was effective with the 2018 district court elections.[8][9][10]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:[8]
- licensed to practice law in the state;
- a district resident; and
- under the age of 72 (retirement at 72 is mandatory).
2012
- See also: North Carolina judicial elections, 2012
Willis was re-elected to the 11th Judicial District on November 6, 2012, defeating Nicolle T. Phair with 55.28% of the vote.[4][11]
Judicial candidate survey
The North Carolina Bar Association asked its members to rank incumbent judges with terms ending in 2012 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being "excellent." Below are Willis' ratings in five categories and overall:
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See also
External links
- The North Carolina Court System, "Harnett County - District 11"
- The North Carolina Court System, "Johnston County - District 11"
- The North Carolina Court System, "Lee County - District 11"
Footnotes
- ↑ The North Carolina Court System: Judicial Directory, Hon. Owen H. Willis, Jr.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 North Carolina Bar Association, "Judge O. Henry Willis"
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, Lists of Judges and Term Expiration Dates
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 North Carolina State Board of Elections: Official 2012 General Election Results
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Facebook, "Judge O. Henry Willis - About"
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Election Calendar," accessed December 23, 2015
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Official candidate list," accessed December 23, 2015
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: North Carolina," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ The News & Observer, "Veto override means voters will know judges’ party affiliations," March 23, 2017
- ↑ General Assembly of North Carolina, "House Bill 100," accessed May 5, 2017
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing List," 2012 Scroll to p.52
- ↑ NC Bar Association: Judicial Performance Evaluation Survey, January 2012 Scroll to p.10
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina
State courts:
Supreme Court of North Carolina • North Carolina Court of Appeals • North Carolina Superior Courts • North Carolina District Courts
State resources:
Courts in North Carolina • North Carolina judicial elections • Judicial selection in North Carolina
