HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-01-20; 4-b - Resolution of Recognition for Judicial District 15-B Chief District Court Judge Joseph Moody Buckner Upon His Retirement 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 1, 2020
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Resolution of Recognition for Judicial District 15-B Chief District Court Judge
Joseph Moody Buckner Upon His Retirement
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners,
Criminal Justice Resource
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolution David Hunt, 919-245-2126
Cait Fenhagen, 919-245-2303
PURPOSE: To approve a resolution recognizing Judicial District 15-B Chief District Court
Judge Joseph Moody Buckner upon his retirement.
BACKGROUND: Judge Joseph M. Buckner was elected as a district court judge in 1994 and
was re-elected by the residents of Orange and Chatham counties six more times after his initial
election. In 1996, the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court appointed Judge
Buckner as the Chief District Court Judge in Orange and Chatham counties and he has served
in that capacity since that time.
Judge Buckner also previously served as President of the N.C. Conference of District Court
Judges and Chief District Court Judges as well as serving as a member of the N.C. Governor's
Crime Commission and the Commission on Juvenile Crime.
Judge Buckner has served the residents of Orange and Chatham County tirelessly and with
distinction for close to 30 years as a district court judge, and announced over the summer his
retirement. The attached resolution was presented by BOCC Chair Penny Rich at Judge
Buckner's retirement event in late July 2020, and staff requests that the Board formally adopt
the resolution recognizing Judge Buckner for his service.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approving the resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with the resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with the resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution, and express its appreciation to Judge Buckner for his service.
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RES-2020-044
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION OF RECOGNITION FOR JUDICIAL DISTRICT 15-B CHIEF
DISTRICT COURT JUDGE JOSEPH MOODY BUCKNER UPON HIS
RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Judge Joseph M. Buckner has served as the Chief District Court Judge
in Orange and Chatham counties since 1996, when he was appointed by the Chief
Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner has served as a district court judge since his election in
1994 and has been re-elected by the residents of Orange and Chatham counties
six more times; and
WHERAS, Judge Buckner previously served as the President of the N.C.
Conference of District Court Judges and Chief District Court Judges as well serving
as a member of the N.C. Governor's Crime Commission and the Commission on
Juvenile Crime; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner supervises the administration of more than 50,000
cases per year, in addition to supervising the magistrates and the trial and judicial
assignments for all the court sessions; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner oversees the Clerk of Superior Court in the discharge of
duties, administers the drawing of jury panels, the setting of specialized court
sessions including criminal dockets, domestic issues, traffic, family violence, child
support, mental health and substance use commitments, juvenile delinquency,
child abuse and neglect and felony pleas; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner has been a champion for individuals with mental health
and substance use disorders in our community, and started North Carolina's first
mental health diversion court (Community Resource Court) over twenty years
ago, with CRC remaining a model for the state; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner started and has strongly supported the District's first
drug treatment courts: Recovery Court and Family Treatment Court; and
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WHEREAS, Judge Buckner created and sought funding for a Juvenile Court School
Liaison position that operates to ensure communication and services by the
school system for justice-involved youth; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner started weekly Child Planning Conferences for children
and families involved in abuse and neglect cases, which has improved outcomes
by providing early interventions; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner has initiated countless improvements, innovations and
reorganizations in the court system that have resulted in an increase in efficiency
and just resolutions; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, Judge Buckner commissioned a set of historical murals by
Michael Brown that grace the main courtroom in the Orange County Courthouse
showcasing Orange County history and informing and delighting visitors and court
attendees; and
WHEREAS, Judge Buckner has served the residents of Orange and Chatham
County tirelessly and with distinction for close to 30 years as a district court judge,
and his compassion and experience have touched the lives of so many individuals
that have appeared before him and he has influenced and trained numerous
people that work beside him in the justice system;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners expresses its congratulations upon Judge Buckner's retirement
and extends its deepest appreciation, gratitude and respect for his leadership and
service throughout the court system for the residents of Orange County.
This the 1st day of September 2020.
Penny Rich, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners