Camille Costin Harrell, Republican candidate
Pender County Clerk of Superior Court
Degree: Cape Fear Community College, associates degree, 1990

Q: Why are you seeking to become New Hanover County’s Clerk of Superior Court?
A: I am running because I believe the Office of Clerk of Superior Court should always be centered around the people it serves. With nearly 13 years of experience in the Pender County clerk’s office, I understand the responsibility that comes with this office and the community it serves.

Experience is important in our courts, but it is even more important to have experience that reflects an understanding of the court system as it exists today. The court system, laws, procedures, and technology are constantly changing, and the needs of the office today are not necessarily the same as they were years ago. I believe having experience inside this office, combined with a current understanding of how the judicial system is evolving, is important when stepping into this role.

My commitment has always been rooted in service, accountability, accessibility, and making sure every person is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Q: What is your top campaign priority; why? 
A: One of my priorities is ensuring that clear policies and expectations are established for all employees. A comprehensive employee manual is essential so that every staff member understands the standards of the workplace, their responsibilities, and what is expected of them.

I also believe strongly in working alongside our employees and making sure they never feel like they are facing challenges alone. That means being present, communicating with them, providing training and support, and working with the Administrative Office of the Courts when guidance, resources, or additional support is needed.

I am committed to creating a healthy workplace that encourages employees to stay, grow, and succeed while ensuring they have the tools, training, and support they need to provide the best possible service to the people of Pender County.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing the office currently, and what steps will you take to help correct it?
A: A major challenge facing the Pender County Clerk’s Office is space to hold court. As our county continues to grow, we need to look at creative and practical solutions to ensure we have adequate space to meet the needs of our community.

With the implementation of our electronic court system, there are now more opportunities to look at how and where court can be conducted. I believe rebuilding strong working relationships with county officials, judges, and other court partners will be one of my top priorities as I take office. We need to come together, identify what is possible, and work toward solutions – including exploring the possibility of holding certain court sessions on the eastern side of the county.

This will also require advocating for the resources Pender County needs. I will work with the Administrative Office of the Courts and our legislators to make sure Pender County’s needs are clearly communicated and that we advocate for additional clerk’s office positions in the state budget as our workload and population continue to grow.

Q: While state law requires providing certain court records to the public, why is this important, and how will you ensure those records are returned in a timely manner? 
A: Having timely access to court records is crucial for background checks, legal research, attorneys, law enforcement, and many other important purposes. The public has a right to access records that are available under state law, and the clerk’s office has a responsibility to make that process as timely and accessible as possible.

I will work alongside my staff to identify ways to streamline the process, improve efficiency, and ensure records are provided in the quickest possible timeframe. This means having clear procedures, making good use of the technology available to us, and ensuring staff have the training and support they need. We should also look for opportunities to use eCourts and other technology to make accessing public records more efficient while maintaining accuracy and following the law.

My goal is simple: provide accurate records, provide them as quickly as possible, and make the process as accessible as we can for the public.

Q: How do you view the rollout and continuation of the state’s use of eCourts?
A: I am very supportive of the continued use of eCourts and the opportunities it provides to make our court system more efficient, accessible, and convenient. Technology can help us improve the way we do business and better serve the public.

At the same time, I believe technology should enhance customer service, not replace it. Not everyone who comes into the clerk’s office will be comfortable navigating an electronic system, and they should never feel like they are on their own.

My priority will be making sure our staff are properly trained and supported so they can confidently assist the public. I also want to explore opportunities to help educate the community about eCourts and make the transition easier for those who may need additional assistance.

Q: A clerical error can create severe risk, whether it’s wrongful detention or delayed release. What quality-control measures will you put in place to eliminate mistakes?
A: Accuracy has to be a priority in the clerk’s office. I would focus on clear, standardized procedures, thorough training, and consistent quality-control checks.

Staff should have written procedures for critical processes, receive ongoing training as laws, procedures, and technology change, and have clear guidelines for when a matter requires additional review before it is finalized.

I also believe we have to be intentional about not rushing important work, particularly when reviewing records or processing matters that can affect someone’s liberty. Taking the appropriate time to verify information before it is finalized can prevent mistakes from becoming serious problems.

I would also work with the Administrative Office of the Courts to identify opportunities to streamline processes and build in safeguards that reduce the possibility of human error, particularly as our electronic systems continue to evolve.

Q: Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially if people aren’t hiring an attorney. What will you bring to the office to help the community maneuver filings?
A: The clerk’s office cannot practice law or provide legal advice, but it is often one of the first interactions a person has with our judicial system. I want to make sure that interaction is helpful, professional, and focused on providing the information and resources we are permitted to provide.

I plan to identify ways staff can immediately assist the public without crossing the line into providing legal advice. I would also like to work with local attorneys and community partners to offer educational workshops and help connect residents with appropriate resources.

We also need to make sure citizens know about the electronic resources already available to them. For example, the public can use Portal 24/7 to view public case information and obtain documents at no cost to them. Guide & File can help self-represented individuals complete certain filings without an attorney by guiding them through the process and file electronically to the Clerk’s office. Additional services such as ECAD and iPlea can also allow citizens to handle certain traffic matters electronically by requesting compliance dismissals or reductions to minor traffic violations without having to come to court.

My goal is to make the court system easier to navigate, strengthen access to our courts, and ensure the people of Pender County have an office that is there to serve them.

Q: How do you envision collaboration between multiple systems and parties — judges, DA, civil, pro se litigants, community partners — in the courthouse? What steps would you take to strengthen court processes? 
A: My vision begins with restoring and building on professional relationships with all agencies and parties that work alongside the clerk’s office. This happens by listening, showing up, communicating, building trust, and understanding that effective leadership does not mean having all the answers. The right leader knows how to bring the right people together and collaborate to find solutions.

I would make it a priority to meet with the members of these agencies to discuss current issues and begin conversations about how we can work together more effectively for the benefit of Pender County.

Pender County is in the same judicial district as New Hanover County, but Pender County is its own community with its own needs and challenges. For years, I believe Pender County has too often been treated as secondary when it comes to addressing the needs of our community within our district. I believe it is time for Pender County to have a stronger voice and someone who knows this office and understands our community’s needs.

Q: The office is partisan, but what will you do to ensure politics stay out of the profession and its operations? 
A: While my party affiliation is Republican, the Office of Clerk of Court is an office that serves everyone. I am committed to ensuring that my staff and I serve every person with the same respect, fairness, professionalism, and dignity, regardless of their political affiliation or personal beliefs.

The clerk’s office should never be a place where someone feels they will receive different treatment because of who they voted for or what political party they belong to. Our responsibility is to follow the law and serve the public equally.

At the end of the day, politics should have no place in the day-to-day operations of the clerk’s office. Our focus should remain on serving the public and doing the job we are entrusted to do.

Q: What is one thing you wish the public knew about the role of this office?
A: I wish more people understood just how much responsibility and authority comes with the Office of Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk is not simply someone who handles paperwork. The clerk is a judicial officer and can exercise judicial authority similar to that of a judge in certain cases, including matters involving incompetency, guardianships, and estates. Those are just a few examples of the significant responsibility entrusted to the clerk.

I also want people to understand that their clerk of court should be actively working for them. This is not a position where the clerk should simply hold the title while others carry out the day-to-day work. The clerk should be present, accessible, actively involved in the operation of the office, and working alongside the staff and the people they serve.

As our court system continues to evolve through eCourts and other changes, we need leadership that understands both the judicial responsibility of the position and the day-to-day responsibility of running the office. My experience in the Pender County clerk’s office has given me a deep understanding of this office, the people it serves, and the responsibility that comes with serving this community.

The clerk’s office belongs to the people of Pender County and I look forward to the opportunity to serve this community I have spent my entire life calling home. I am committed to being present and engaged every day, and to putting the people of Pender County at the heart of everything I do.

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