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Thomas Brittain, Jr.
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Thomas McAvoy "Mack" Brittain, Jr. is a district court judge for the 29B Judicial District, serving Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties in North Carolina. He was appointed to the court by former Governor Mike Easley on March 8, 2007 to replace Mark E. Powell. Brittain was re-elected in 2012 for another four-year term.[1][2] He successfully ran for re-election in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Education
Brittain received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 1984 and his J.D. degree from Campbell University in 1987.[1]
Career
Brittain began his career as a defense attorney. Three years later, he joined the District Attorney's office, where he worked until 1994. Then, Brittain became the first staff attorney for the Henderson County Sheriff's Office. He was also a Sheriff's deputy. In 2000, he returned to the District Attorney's office, where he worked until his judicial appointment in 2007.[1]
Elections
2016
North Carolina held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on March 15, 2016.[3] Incumbent Mack Brittain ran unopposed in the North Carolina Judicial District 29B general election for the Brittain seat.[4]
| North Carolina Judicial District 29B (Brittain Seat), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Mack Brittain Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 55,314 |
| Total Votes | 55,314 | |
| 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.[5][6][7]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:[5]
- 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
Brittain was re-elected to the 29B Judicial District without opposition on November 6, 2012.[8][9]
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 Brittain's ratings in five categories and overall:
|
|
See also
External links
- The North Carolina Court System, "Henderson County - District 29B"
- The North Carolina Court System, "Polk County - District 29B"
- The North Carolina Court System, "Transylvania County - District 29B"
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Blue Ridge Now (Times-News Online), "Gov. Easley appoints Brittain as District Court judge," March 10, 2007
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections: Lists of Judges and Term Expiration Dates Scroll to p.14
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 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: Official 2012 General Election Results
- ↑ North Carolina State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing List," 2012 Scroll to p.62
- ↑ NC Bar Association: Judicial Performance Evaluation Survey, January 2012 Scroll to p.16
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
