A new administrative director has been named for the state court system — Special Superior Court Judge John W. Smith.
Smith replaces Judge Ralph A. Walker, who retires on New Year's Eve, Dan Kane reports.
As director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, Smith will oversee administrative services for the state's unified court system. Gov. Mike Easley appointed him a special Superior Court judge in 2001 to work out of Wilmington. Smith has also been a district court judge, certified juvenile court judge, chief district court judge and an assistant district attorney in North Carolina.
"Judge Smith has served with excellency and dedication to the North Carolina court system," said state Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker in a statement. She made the appointment. "He brings enormous commitment to the administration of justice both within the judicial branch and to the citizens of the state."
The position pays $126,738 annually.
Comments
Re: Court system gets new administrator
January 2, 2009 - 10:50pm — iluvmonicaasace33, you are living in the past. The Judicial Department budget has more than doubled since Chief Justice Mitchell left - and mostly in the past four years. There are 1,000 additonal employees in the courthouses and modern computer systems and equipment have been purchasing, designed and placed in the field. There was not a single major computer system developed until the past four years. It is good you retired.
Re: Court system gets new administrator
December 31, 2008 - 2:09pm — asace33Another Judge. Gee what is new? Is that not how we got to this point with suc screwed up systems but putting judges in who are used to managing themselves and not the complexities of this very complicated business. I strongly suggest Judge Smith look at the comments on the AOC computer foul-ups. There were people who were going gangbuster with burley mitchell but ever since he left there has been a parade of incompetents. Tom Ross gave raises and feathered his nest while collecting double pay as a judge and director. John Kennedy did what - who the heck knows. Ralph Walker did what? He let Greg Stahl stay and feather his nest. Judge Smith would be well advised to look back to when things were working and changing and make major changes with the people there who have screwed the place up. I am retired from a department and like most people who were there saw some good things with burley and all down hill ever since.