• Congratulations to Newly Certified Magistrates

    This entry was contributed by Melanie Crenshaw on March 4, 2024 at 12:51 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
    Download PDF

    Magistrates are often referred to as the “first face” of the judicial system for most citizens. They serve the public with professionalism, all while keeping abreast of the rapidly changing civil and criminal laws. In 2021, their training requirements were increased by the legislature from 12 hours every two years to 12 hours every year. As part of those 12 hours of training, magistrates are required to receive annual training on seven required subjects: (1) setting conditions of pretrial release, (2) impaired driving laws, (3) issuing criminal processes, (4) issuing search warrants, (5) technology, (6) orders of protection, and (7) summary ejectment laws. GS 7A-177.

    One of the best things about my job working with magistrates is that they are always excited about training and participate enthusiastically in courses and conferences. In 2020 the North Carolina Judicial College launched the Magistrate Certification Program to recognize magistrates who complete advanced training in the areas of civil and criminal law. These magistrates not only satisfy their minimum annual requirements, but they go above and beyond by attending advanced training to satisfy the five required components of Civil and/or Criminal Law Certification. Applications for certification were received from November 1 through December 31, 2023. The next application period will be November 1 through December 31, 2024.

    Civil Law
    Christopher Bazzle, Mecklenburg County
    Heather Callejas, Iredell County
    Leonard Custis, Pasquotank County
    Samuel “Chris” Hardison, Martin County
    Ashlyn Harris, Cleveland County
    Patricia Higgs, Mecklenburg County
    Laura Holden, Swain County
    Jeff Hollan, Alamance County
    Tami Johnson, Johnston County
    Deborah Morrison, Hertford County
    Linda “Jane” Myers, Davie County
    Sean Reid, Rowan County
    Carissa Robinson, Graham County
    Keith Rogers, Lee County
    Christopher Sullivan, Johnston County

    Criminal Law
    Julie Antonelli, Guilford County
    Christopher Bazzle, Mecklenburg County
    Heather Callejas, Iredell County
    Thomasa Carver, Mecklenburg County
    Leonardo Custis, Pasquotank County
    Doris Harris, Jones County
    Teddy “Jeff” Morris, Rowan County
    Deborah Morrison, Hertford County
    Linda “Jane” Myers, Davie County
    Sean Reid, Rowan County
    Melanie Robinson, Burke County
    Keith Rogers, Lee County
    Bobbie Jo Squires, Wake County
    Christopher Sullivan, Johnston County

    These magistrates join the class of magistrates who achieved certification in 2022:

    Civil Law
    Julie Antonelli, Guilford County
    Millicent Duprey, Dare County
    Kyle Justice, Transylvania County
    Melanie Robinson, Burke County

    Criminal Law
    Patricia Higgs, Mecklenburg County

    On behalf of the Judicial College, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to these magistrates on this extraordinary achievement. If you are a magistrate who is interested in certification, read more about it on the NC Magistrate microsite on the UNC School of Government website.

    This entry was tagged with the following terms: , .
    Melanie Crenshaw
    Melanie Crenshaw joined the School of Government in August 2022, working with magistrates in the area of civil law. Prior to joining the School, she worked as a magistrate in Cumberland County. Before serving as a magistrate, Crenshaw was in private practice in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she represented clients in a variety of matters related to family law. While in private practice, she also worked as an adjunct professor at the Elon University School of Law in the areas of family law and moot court. During law school, Crenshaw was the research clerk for the NC Pattern Jury Instruction Criminal Subcommittee and spent a summer as an intern in the Clerk’s Office of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Prior to attending law school, she was a high school french teacher in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

    Crenshaw received her JD summa cum laude from Elon University School of Law as a member of the charter class. She served on the Elon Moot Court Board and as symposium editor on the Elon Law Review. She earned her BA summa cum laude from Elon College where she studied French. She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar.
^ Back to Top