Petition for Removal of North Carolina Judge Gains Momentum

A petition aiming to remove North Carolina Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes has garnered over 11,000 signatures. This surge in support follows the tragic stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Irina Zaltzka. The campaign has received a boost from Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC), who highlighted the situation in a recent video. The push for Stokes’s removal intensified after 14-year-old DeCarlos Brown Jr., a pre-convicted repeat offender, allegedly killed a 23-year-old woman on Charlotte’s light rail after being released without bail.

In a post on change.org, a user expressed their dismay at the judge’s decision to grant cashless bail, describing the incident as “devastating.” They emphasized the need to protect others by holding the judge accountable, stating, “It really angers me. We must remove the judge to help prevent another tragedy like Irina’s.” The petition raises significant questions, such as why individuals with mental health issues and prior offenses were permitted to roam freely in Charlotte.

Just days ago, a video featured Rep. Harrigan advocating for the petition, pointing out the judge’s role in releasing violent offenders back onto the streets. He criticized the justice system, noting, “Just a few weeks ago, we witnessed one of the worst failures of justice.” His comments drew attention to Brown’s extensive criminal history and mental health challenges. Harrigan urged North Carolinians to add their voices in support of the campaign to remove Judge Stokes.

The petition is part of a broader push by Republican officials in North Carolina. Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) recently pointed to Stokes’s decision to release Brown back in January, following Brown’s arrest for abusing the 911 system. Harris questioned the judge’s qualifications and whether she still maintains the public’s trust. District Court Judge Roy H. Wiggins indicated that his office is reviewing bond policies and plans to provide further education to magistrates regarding their roles.

As pressure mounts to remove Stokes, North Carolina lawmakers are advancing “Iryna’s Law,” which seeks to eliminate cashless bail for specific offenses and restrict judges’ discretion in pretrial release decisions. The law recently passed the state House with an 81-31 vote and is now awaiting Governor Josh Stein’s approval.