In the 14
th Judicial District we have six District Court Judges.
The Honorable Elaine M. O'Neal is the Chief District Court Judge of the 14th Judicial District. Judge O'Neal is a native of Durham, graduating high school from Hillside High School and completing undergraduate studies and law school at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Judge O'Neal practiced privately from 1991 to 1994. In 1994, she was first elected to the District Court bench. In additions to her duties as Chief, Judge O'Neal is also the presiding judge for this district's Family Drug Treatment Court.
Other District Court Judges in order of seniority include:
The Honorable Richard G. Chaney is our most senior member of the 14th Judicial District's District Court bench. Judge Chaney completed undergraduate studies at Duke University and law school at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Judge Chaney was first sworn to the District Court bench in 1985. He has been elected to five consecutive terms thereafter. Judge Chaney is the judge assigned to preside over this district's Adult Drug Treatment Court.
The Honorable Craig B. Brown was appointed to the bench in 1996 and reelected in 1998 and 2002. Judge Brown received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also received a Masters in Public Policy from Duke University. Prior to serving the District Court bench, Brown practiced privately.
The Honorable Anne E. McKown was first sworn to the bench in 1998. Judge McKown received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971 and her Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University in 1977. Prior to serving the District Court Bench, Judge McKown practiced privately in her own firm for more than 15 years. In 1977, Judge McKown began her career as the first female Assistant District Attorney in this district. Also, Judge McKown, an advocate for decent housing, is assigned to preside over this district's Environmental Court.
The Honorable Marcia H. Morey has served the District Court bench from 1999. Judge Morey received her undergraduate degree from Millikin University in Illinois. She received a Masters in Teaching from Reed College and her Juris Doctorate from Northwestern School of Law. Prior to serving the District Court bench, Judge Morey was an Olympic swimmer and coach, journalist, and Assistant District Attorney for the 14th Judicial District. Judge Morey, an advocate for juveniles, is assigned to preside over this district's Juvenile Treatment Court.
The Honorable James T. Hill was elected to the District Court bench in 2002. Judge Hill received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and his law degree from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to joining the District Court bench, Judge Hill practiced privately and served as an Arbitrator in this district.
For additional information or to direct correspondence, you may contact:
Tuwana Capers or Jennifer Manning
District Court Judicial Assistants
201 East Main Street
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Phone: 919-564-7240
Fax: 919-560-6877