Alyssa M. Levine
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
Yes
Age:
42
Previous experience in elected office:
District Court Judge (NC-26) (2023-present)
Occupation:
District court judge
Description:
Levine is running for her second term. She hears both civil and criminal matters in the district court, and she "hears domestic cases as a designated Family Court Judge." She also "conducts bench and jury trials, first appearances and probable cause hearings." She says she reviews "each case and associated rules, [gives] parties an opportunity to be heard, [listens] respectfully, [treats] people with dignity, and [resolves] matters based on the facts determined by the evidence presented and existing laws."
Review of Candidate Rulings (Source: Wake Forest University School of Law Pro Bono Project)
Levine’s judicial philosophy is defined by a commitment to judicial economy and pragmatism. Her judicial record shows a commitment to deciding cases quickly and accurately in favor of longer, more detailed proceedings. A review of appellate decisions identified four cases in which Judge Levine's orders were at least partially reversed or vacated on appeal. Her more recent rulings have been defined by increasingly specific factual findings while maintaining her commitment to efficiency.
Other personal:
Levine was born in Charlotte and is a “third-generation Mecklenburg County attorney.” She was a former owner of a private practice focused on family law. She graduated from Providence High School. She received her bachelor's degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a JD from NC Central University.
The Election Hub Questionnaire
Please share demographic information to help voters (your age, education, and where you live in NC now).
42 years old
High School Diploma, Providence Senior High School
Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduate Certificate in Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Juris Doctor, North Carolina Central University School of Law
I live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Why are you running for this role, and why should voters pick you? Please tell us about any previous experience in elected office that you have.
I am again running for the office of district court judge so I can continue helping the people of Mecklenburg County to experience the respect and compassion they deserve in our court system; to instill public trust and confidence in our judiciary by giving parties the opportunity to be heard, treating people with dignity, and resolving matters based on the facts determined by the evidence presented and existing law; and to protect the rule of law and independence of our courts.
I was elected in 2022, sworn in as a district court judge in January 2023, and am currently serving the fourth year of my first term on the bench.
Tell us about 1-2 professional accomplishments that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.
I conduct bench and jury trials; I hear domestic cases as a designated Family Court Judge; I preside over civil and criminal matters in District Court.
I have served in multiple leadership roles and as a volunteer for local and statewide nonprofits since law school.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of concern for many voters (e.g. government-run chatbots; AI-generated videos, text and images; data centers; license-plate readers; AI to hire and evaluate employees or teach students). How should elected officials in your role or others regulate AI, if you believe they should? How should elected officials in your role use AI?
We must be mindful of the emerging technologies within our society and apply the applicable law. Elected officials in our role must ensure that our use of AI is compliant with the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct and carefully protect personally identifying and/or confidential information, as applicable.
What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or individuals have you received?
Equality North Carolina Action Fund PAC (2026)
LGBTQ+ Democrats of North Carolina Mecklenburg County 2026 Excellent Candidate for District Court Seat 14 (2026)
North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys Judicial Endorsements Committee (2022)
The North Carolina & Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police (2022)
How long have you lived in the region you are looking to represent in office?
I was born and raised in Charlotte. I returned to Charlotte permanently after I took the North Carolina Bar Exam following law school graduation in the Triangle area.
Please tell us something unexpected about you that voters may be interested in knowing.
I am a proud third-generation Mecklenburg County attorney. My paternal grandfather, father, and mother all practiced law in the Charlotte area. My father is still actively practicing law.
Additionally, we have partnered with The Path to Permanency, a local non-profit that aims to reduce the length of time of foster care cases. For their constituents, we are asking the following questions:
What is the extent of your professional and/or personal experience handling child welfare cases?
Limited; however, my mother worked in juvenile court for most of her 43 years of practice, so I have been exposed to many compelling child welfare issues.
ASFA (Adoption and Safe Families Act) sets timelines requiring that a case move to Terminate Parental Rights if a child has been in care 15 out of the last 22 months. When a parent has not yet completed services or demonstrated sustained change as that timeline approaches, what is the appropriate judicial response, and how do you weigh the child's need for timely stability against the parent's need for more time?
North Carolina and federal law prioritize reunification because research confirms that it is in a child’s best interest to remain within their family if possible. The appropriate judicial response is to recognize the responsibility in balancing a child’s need for permanence with their parents’ constitutional rights to raise them, applying the applicable laws. Every child and family is unique so careful consideration must be given to each individual case.
What specific actions will you take on the bench to ensure cases move toward timely permanency?
The law requires judges who preside over abuse, neglect, and dependency cases to provide appropriate resources to all parties to obtain the skills necessary to keep families together if at all possible, with timely permanency as the ultimate goal. I will remain aware of what resources our community provides and, if/when applicable, hold all parties responsible for linking the families in A/N/D cases with these services in a timely manner, holding review hearings to check on the families, and bringing the agencies to court if necessary to impress upon them the importance of prompt and effective treatment.