Mecklenburg chief district court judge being removed
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The chief district court judge for Mecklenburg County will be removed from her position, a statement obtained by Queen City News confirms.
Judge Elizabeth Trosch has served the position for District 26 for four years, and said through the District 26 Administrator’s Office she will be removed by the N.C. Supreme Court Monday.
“On April 22, 2024, the Chief Justice informed me that he wants a different direction in leadership for Mecklenburg and that he has appointed Judge Roy Wiggins to the post of Chief District Court Judge effective May 1, 2024,” Trosch’s statement reads.
Trosch touts her leadership coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing with a backlog of cases, and the launch of eCourts in Mecklenburg County.
The decision to remove her comes on the heels of allegations of county magistrate Robin Sabio, who is now suspended. She also has been criticized for her bond amounts in criminals cases.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve Mecklenburg County as the Chief District Court Judge over the last four years. I have endeavored to improve our courts by spear-heading collaborative reforms that have advanced procedural justice and improved outcomes across the district,” the statement reads. “I am proud of the work we have done together to ensure justice for our community without favor, denial, or delay.”
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Among the court’s accomplishments in her tenure, Trosch said they’ve decreased felony pending cases from 6,721 at the height of the pandemic to 2,373 cases — a figure 158 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
“As leadership of this district transitions to a new chief, I am confident that I have left it better than I found it. In partnership with local leaders, court staff and partners, a strong foundation has been laid for Mecklenburg to be the most productive and efficient district in the state.”
Wiggins has been a District 26 court judge since 2018, and won the 2020 election while running unopposed.
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