Cecilia Oseguera

The Election Hub Questionnaire

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

I currently serve as a District Court Judge in Mecklenburg County. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA, a Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Financial Services Compliance from Seton Hall Law School. I live in Mecklenburg County, where I have dedicated my career to public service and the fair administration of justice.

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters.

I am running to continue serving the people of Mecklenburg County with fairness, experience, and sound judgment. The courts work best when judges are prepared, impartial, and focused on applying the law consistently while treating everyone who appears before them with dignity and respect. I was appointed to the District Court bench in 2022 by Governor Roy Cooper and later elected by the voters of Mecklenburg County to continue that service. Since taking office, I have presided over high-volume criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and domestic violence dockets, managing hundreds of cases while ensuring statutory requirements are met and all parties are heard.

Voters should choose me again because experience, impartiality, and transparency matter. 1. VOTERS DESERVE TO KNOW: Voters deserve transparency and clarity when choosing a judge. Judicial candidates should be evaluated based on their experience, judgment, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to public safety. A judge must apply the law as written, not pursue ideological goals or activism from the bench (2) JUDICIAL ROLE v. ACTIVISM:  I respect civic engagement, but judicial service is different. Judges are not advocates or activists—we are neutral decision-makers bound by the law. The role of a judge is not to advance a political or ideological agenda, but to apply the law fairly, consistently, and impartially. The courtroom is not a place for experimentation or advocacy—it is a place for careful judgment and accountability. 3. PUBLIC SAFETY: Every decision made in District Court affects real people—victims, families, and the safety of our community. My approach has always been guided by the law, respect for victims, and an understanding that public safety and fairness are not competing values. 4. The RECORD vs. RHETORIC: I believe candidates should be evaluated not by rhetoric, but by their record of service, follow-through, and accountability. Throughout my career, I have shown up, done the work, and honored the responsibilities entrusted to me. I welcome voters to review my record, observe my courtroom, and speak with attorneys, litigants, and community members who have seen my work firsthand. Transparency and accountability are essential to public trust in the judiciary. Mecklenburg County deserves an experienced judge with an established reputation for fairness, efficiency, and integrity.

Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

One of my proudest accomplishments is successfully managing high-volume dockets while ensuring that every litigant feels heard and respected. This requires organization, decisiveness, and calm leadership—particularly in emotionally charged cases involving families, victims, and public safety.

Prior to taking the bench, I spent nearly two decades as an Assistant Federal Public Defender, gaining extensive courtroom experience through complex litigation and jury trials. That background, combined with my judicial experience, allows me to approach every case with perspective, fairness, and respect for all who come before the court. I have also been selected to serve as a substitute Federal Magistrate Judge in the Western District of North Carolina, an opportunity that reflects professional trust and recognition of my judgment, temperament, and legal acumen. I presently serve on The Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors.

What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received?

I have been endorsed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police. I have received an “Excellent” rating from the LGBTQ+ Democrats of Mecklenburg County. I am also honored to be endorsed by the Honorable Edwin Quarles, North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs Commission (12th Congressional District) and Commissioner for the Town of Huntersville, and the Honorable Regan Miller (Ret.), former Chief District Court Judge of Mecklenburg County. I am supported by a broad range of courtroom stakeholders who have observed my work firsthand, and I take that trust seriously. As a judge, I do not advocate for causes or constituencies. Public safety and equal justice are not competing values. My record reflects that balance, A complete list of endorsements from a broad range of community leaders and stakeholders is available on my campaign website at Re-Elect Cecilia Oseguera.

How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?

21 years.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.

Something voters may find unexpected is that I am a first-generation college and law school graduate, raised by immigrant parents who worked as laborers. I grew up in an underserved community, where I learned early the value of hard work, accountability, and respect for others. I also speak Spanish, which helps me better understand the lived experiences of many people who come before the court. Those experiences shaped my perspective long before I became a judge, and they guide how I listen, communicate, and ensure that everyone who enters my courtroom feels heard and treated with dignity.

Questionnaire from Path to Permanency

What is the extent of your professional and/or personal experience handling child welfare cases?

While my primary District Court assignments have included criminal, civil, and domestic matters, I understand the profound responsibility involved in cases affecting children and families. Throughout my judicial service and prior federal practice, I have handled matters involving vulnerable individuals, strict statutory frameworks, and high-stakes decision-making. Child welfare cases require urgency, preparation, and careful adherence to the law — principles I apply in every courtroom assignment.

What specific actions will you take as a district court judge to reduce the length of foster care cases and ensure children achieve permanency within federally recommended timeframes?

Timely permanency requires disciplined case management. As a judge, I ensure hearings occur within statutory timeframes, expectations are clear from the outset, and orders are entered promptly. When delays arise, the court must identify the cause and address it directly. Children experience time differently than adults, and statutory deadlines must be treated as meaningful, not aspirational.

How familiar are you with the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) timelines, and how will you ensure accountability among the court, parent defenders, and child welfare agencies in meeting those time limits while also engaging with community resources and NCJFCJ-supported initiatives—such as frequent family time and family finding—to improve permanency outcomes for foster children?

I am familiar with the timelines established under the Adoption and Safe Families Act, including timely permanency hearings and the statutory framework governing termination of parental rights when reunification is no longer appropriate. The court must ensure reasonable efforts findings are properly made and that all stakeholders — DSS, parent counsel, GAL, and service providers — remain accountable to statutory deadlines.

How do you view the role of a district court judge in ensuring timely permanency for children in foster care within Mecklenburg County's child welfare system?

The District Court judge serves as both legal decision-maker and case manager in child welfare matters. The court must balance constitutional parental rights with a child’s need for safety and stability. My role is to apply the law faithfully, ensure hearings proceed on time, and make evidence-based decisions that promote timely and lawful permanency.