Rob Hasty for Superior Court: 25 Years at Every Level of Our Courts

Rob Hasty: Welcome to the Carolina Cabinet. I'm Peter Pappins. Joining me is Rob Hasty, the Republican candidate for Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 14A Corn. That's right here in Cumberland County.

Peter Pappas: Welcome to the Carolina Cabinet. I'm Peter Pappas. Joining me is Rob Hasty, the Republican candidate for Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 14A C1. That's right here in Cumberland County. Rob has lived in the county his entire life. He's a graduate of East Carolina University and of Cumberland School of Law at Samford, and he's practiced law for more than 25 years. The first part of that career as a trial lawyer with Anderson, Johnson, Lawrence, Butler, and Bach here in Fayetteville. And since 2012,

Rob Hasty: Rob has lived in the county his entire life. He's a graduate of East Carolina University and of Cumberland School of Law at Sanford. And he's practiced law for more than 25 years. The first part of that career as a trial lawyer with Anderson, Johnson, Lawrence, Butler, and Bach here in Fayetteville. And since 2012, he has been an assistant county attorney for Cumberland County. He's also a certified mediator. This is a two-candidate race. Rod faces Judge Stephen Stokes, the Democrat Governor Stein appointed in his seat in 2025.

Peter Pappas: He has been an assistant county attorney for Cumberland County. He's also a certified mediator. This is a two candidate race. Rob faces Judge Stephen Stokes, the Democrat governor Stein appointed in his seat in twenty twenty five.

Rob Hasty: I definitely didn't earn it through an election. Well, well that is supposed to be wages. So you're a long distance runner. What's the longest race you've ever run? I ran a an ultra marathon at 50k 31 miles. Yes, we

Peter Pappas: Definitely didn't earn it through an election. Rob, welcome. Thank you. Welcome to be here. So you're a long distance runner. What's the longest race you've ever run? I ran a what an ultramarathon of fifty K, which I guess is like thirty one miles. Did that

Rob Hasty: we ran into marathons in the marathon group today let's do this.

Peter Pappas: quite a few years. Voluntarily? Yes. We we ran some marathons and my marathon group said, Hey, let's do this. But glutton for punishment, it sounds like so where do you train in Fayetteville? Well, we have just a route we run around neighborhoods. I have to say I don't do as much long distance running as I used to. The knee doesn't allow that. So but I've I've run about eight marathons and the one ultra marathon

Rob Hasty: But I've had punishment it sounds like. So where do you train the table? Well, we have just a route, we run around neighborhoods. I have to say I don't do as much long distance running as I used to for me that's an allow that. So that but I I've run the eight marathons and multiple marathons.

Peter Pappas: and probably a dozen or more half marathons back in the day and

Rob Hasty: I didn't know that about you. When I was looking in for the show, I was like, wow, he's done that. I didn't know that. So you are in a HEPA though, and your wife's name is Yota, so I know you're a fellow Breed here. so whose family makes the better bastija? Yotas or somebody else's? her mom has artists next to the speech. Right, right.

Peter Pappas: I didn't know that about you. I when I was looking in for the show, I was like, wow, he's done that. I didn't know that. So you are in a hepa though, and your wife's name is Yata, so I know you're a fellow Greek here. so whose family makes the better pasticho? Yota's or somebody else's? I I think her mom, Jerry Hassampas, makes the best pasticio that's Right, right. I've ever had. It's very good. Well, and Jerry, like my mother's got the German background. They still they have acclimated to the Greek community very well. so are we gonna pull for the pirates or the Samford Bulldogs? Well the pirates are my, you know, school. That's where that's where my emotion is. And I can we're depressed when they lose and I'm happy when they win. But so

Rob Hasty: And Jerry, like my mother's got the German background and they still they have acclimated to the Greek community very well. so are we gonna pull for the pirates or the Sanford Bulldogs? Well the pirates are my you know school that's what I that's what my emotion is. Okay. Happy when they win. So tell me best lunch spot in the warehouse because we do get a break.

Peter Pappas: Tell me best lunch spot near the courthouse when you do get a break. there's a little Thai restaurant down

Rob Hasty: Hi restaurant, yeah.

Peter Pappas: there and I'm drawing a blank on the name of it. Is it right there on person? Right around the circle? I know exactly what you're talking about. Okay, I gotta give that a shot. Do they have like a lunch buffet or anything or? I usually get off the menu and it's pretty good. What's your go to dish? the pad tie.

Rob Hasty: Is it right there on right around the circle? I know exactly what you're talking about. Okay, I'm gonna give that a shot. Do they have one to lunch buffet or anything? I usually get off the menu and it's pretty good. What's your go to Yeah. Yeah. Gotta fold the tie back. Yeah, not get it too hot and I guess I'll start sweating.

Peter Pappas: Gotta fold the tie back. Yeah, exactly and not get it too hot.

Rob Hasty: Yeah, a friend of mine and I made a mistake. There was a Thai restaurant next to Rayford Road, Baldino's, and we were he would a friend of mine would join me for dinner at the Thai place and one night I was on the phone and the lady came to work and I said

Peter Pappas: Yeah, a friend of mine and I made a mistake. There was a Thai restaurant next to Rayford Road, Baldino's, and we were he would a friend of mine would join me for dinner at the Thai place. And one night I was on the phone and the lady came to order and I said, Yeah, tie hot. And I went back to the call. And my friend, not to be outdone, is like, Well, if he got a tie hot, I'm gonna, you know. So we both were eating and we're both like dripping in sweat. And finally I gave up. He's thank God. I thought you'd I was like, Well, why'd you order that? Well, because you did.

Rob Hasty: Yeah, tie hot and I went back to the call. And my friend, not to be outdone, is like, Well, if he got a tie hot, I'm gonna you know. So we both were eating and we're both like dripping in sweat. And finally I gave up. He says, thank god, I thought you'd I like, Well, why'd you order it that way? 'Cause you did. Yeah. So boys do stupid things when they're with groups. So, well, I don't know. okay, I asked Judge Bellow asked you, so what is your favorite form of movie if everyone was?

Peter Pappas: Yeah. So boys do stupid things when we're in groups. so well, I don't know. okay, I asked Judge Bell, I'll ask you. So what is your favorite courtroom movie if ever was one? I think a civil action. I think's my favorite. So John Travolta was in that

Rob Hasty: I think a civil action, I think's my favourite the junk of all to do something.

Peter Pappas: one, probably came out twenty five years ago or so. Okay. It's kinda it stakes the case kind of from the beginning, meeting the clients all the way to the end and

Rob Hasty: Okay. Kind of it stakes like case kinda from the beginning, meeting the clients all the way to the end and crowding some. So was it a good story or was it like procedurally? 'Cause I gotta w I gotta wonder, these doctors watch these ER shows and stuff like that. I wonder how far off the mark did it make you kinda feel like, this kind of quite work. Yeah, a little bit.

Peter Pappas: trial and then ultimately sell them at the So was it a good story or was it like procedurally? Because I I you gotta I wanna wonder. These doctors watch these ER shows and stuff like that. And I wonder how far off the mark did it make you kind of feel like, this kind of looked like work. Yeah, a little bit. But it it's it's got I used to show it, I taught paralegal classes at February Tech for a while and I would show that movie in the civil litation class to them one night and 'cause they could kind of see the whole process of a case from beginning to end

Rob Hasty: civilization class too in fact because I can kinda see the whole process of the case from beginning to end.

Peter Pappas: kind of. And the different the depositions and everything that goes into it. So in plain English, tell me what a superior court judge does that a district court judge doesn't do. All right. Well, superior court judges they hear both criminal and civil cases. some states either a criminal law criminal judge or civil judge, but we we have both here

Rob Hasty: So, in plain English, tell me what a superior court judge does that as district court judge doesn't. Well, superior court judges they hear both criminal and civil cases. in some states either a criminal law criminal judge or a civil judge or you know, both here.

Peter Pappas: in North Carolina. felony cases go before superior court judges criminally and civil cases

Rob Hasty: felony cases could be four superior court judges, criminals and civil cases, they divide those by jurisdictional amount. So if a lawsuit it involves twenty-five or above twenty-five thousand dollars, proper meaning superior court commission. Okay. So there's a lot of wrong. My background is mostly civil and so people have motion practice and civil court. Judges here typically on the Mondays calendar thought. Okay.

Peter Pappas: They divide those by jurisdictional amounts. So if there's a lawsuit that it involves twenty five or above twenty five thousand dollars, it would properly be in the superior court division. Okay. So there's a lot of my background's mostly civil and so there's a lot of motion practice in civil court that judges hear typically on Mondays, calendar call. Okay. And then preside over trials during the week

Rob Hasty: Yeah. Well Rob, you spent years in private practice and then you went to Wortford County in twenty twelve. Why'd you make that switch? Well, I've

Peter Pappas: Well, Rob, you spent years in private practice and then you went to work for the county in twenty twelve. Why did you make that switch? Well, I had

Rob Hasty: been at the firm for a while and I love you. I love you guys.

Peter Pappas: been at the firm for a while and I loved it. I loved the guys I worked with and and whatnot. the work we did was very good and rewarding. But this opportunity came up, I kinda wanted to look at the public sector. the business side of the law, I'm not crazy with you still had to bill and

Rob Hasty: did was it was a bit more boring but this opportunity came up I kinda wanted to look at the public sector. the business side of the law I'm not crazy with you still has the bill and

Peter Pappas: pay the rent and all all of that and you get one hundred percent practicing law at the county. Okay. And there were some other issues like

Rob Hasty: One hundred percent practicing law. Right. The county. Okay. And there were some other issues that some of our clients were corporate when we were going for hiring some of these paper firms.

Peter Pappas: Some of our clients were corporate and they were going toward hiring some of these bigger firms than Raleigh and whatnot to handle the all their cases throughout the state.

Rob Hasty: Yeah.

Peter Pappas: So I was kinda keeping an eye on that too and you know, having to generate more business to make up for that. And so and I was interested in doing the county

Rob Hasty: business to make up for that. So and I was interested in doing the county

Peter Pappas: work. that's it's just a little different, a lot of more variety. And so when that opportunity came up, I I applied for it and it's fortunate again. And what's your title at the county? Assistant county attorney. Okay. So where am I going to see you in the minutes on County Commission when you get in trouble or get your when do you get your day in the camera? Like what do you normally work on? Well, what I do I do I still d do they have areas with the county attorneys? 'Cause I've seen Mr. Morfield at different stuff. Right. He's he's the county attorney. So he mostly goes to the you know, the big meetings with the commissioner meetings. I think there's one tonight in fact, I believe. Yes, there is. and the rest of us have our little

Rob Hasty: And what's your title camera? Assistant county attorney. Okay. So where am I gonna see you running some county commission where you get in trouble or get your day? When do you get your day in the camera? Like what do you normally work on? Well, what I do I do Do they have areas for the county attorneys? Because I've seen Mr. Morfield different stuff. Right. He's he's the county attorney, so he mostly goes for the big meeting commission if there's something I believe in service. and the rest of us have our little areas.

Peter Pappas: areas we are assigned. And so my litigation background, that's one

Rob Hasty: Sign and so litigation background on

Peter Pappas: reason I applied and was hired, is that I do the in house litigation that we do.

Rob Hasty: The in house litigation that we do.

Peter Pappas: that I'll I still am involved in that.

Rob Hasty: Often that

Peter Pappas: Mm-hmm. And so we handle the cases where the county may have to file a suit or get sued and defend it. So Okay. So we're handling that in house. We're not well some cases we get outside counsel and then I I can

Rob Hasty: Okay. Okay. So we're handling that in house, but not well some cases we get out to a council and then I I can work with that logger to kind of get it we do.

Peter Pappas: work with that lawyer to kind of be the intermediary with what he needs he or she needs to it just kind of depends on the case.

Rob Hasty: It's gonna depend on the case.

Peter Pappas: We do those on a case by case basis if it's just kind of more than we can handle in our office. But the general litigation I still involved with and then we're assigned different departments. So and I again with my litigation background I'm generally doing the the departments that have quasi judicial hearings,

Rob Hasty: then we're assigned different departments. So we're gonna notification background generally doing the the departments that have positive judicial.

Peter Pappas: which is Animal Services, the Board of Equalization Review.

Rob Hasty: more of the relation we're using in

Peter Pappas: And the Board of Adjustment

Rob Hasty: order to jet.

Peter Pappas: where citizens will often have cases to hear before a board. What's the distinction with quasi governmental is it because they can affect or impose fines? Like what what's the step up? Well they're they'll actually make decisions that can affect peop you know, of course like the tax board is the appeal board for your taxes

Rob Hasty: takes it to the gear. What's the distinction with Wi Fi and WO is because they can affect or impose fines? Like what what's the step up? They'll actually make decisions that can affect we you like the tax board is the field board for we can

Peter Pappas: and so they they will hear your case in a hearing and then make a decision and then there's appellate rights after that you can go to the property tax commission in that particular case if you're dissatisfied. And so then our office then would then go to defend the county's position in that case as well. Okay. So that's a little another different little wrinkle that we handle. So one thing you've been practicing for a long time, twenty five years. You've never been a judge, but your opponent, he's got about eleven years on the bench. now I had it that he was appointed, but

Rob Hasty: So one thing you've been trying to see for a long time, twenty-five years, you've never been a judge, but your opponent has got about eleven years on the bench. now I have it that he was appointed, but why should voters pick experience at your table over experience on the bench? Well, there's experience and there's experience.

Peter Pappas: Why should voters pick experience at your table over experience on the bench? Well, there's experience and there's experience. he he's a judge he was elected the district court judge,

Rob Hasty: He he's and D was left with the business report judge.

Peter Pappas: I think in twenty fourteen, and he's so he spent about eleven years as a district court judge. Mm-hmm. So he has that experience and during those eleven years I was still practicing in superior court,

Rob Hasty: Or

Peter Pappas: mm-hmm, which is what I aspire to. so he was appointed when the previous judge

Rob Hasty: from the previous judge had been done it perfectly

Peter Pappas: had to resign d to some personal reasons, with f family related, I believe. But so it hasn't been on the Superior Court bench a long time. So I consider sort of an open seat and I'm interested in it. So I

Rob Hasty: family but but it hasn't been on the sphere for adventure a long time so that's considering it's real PC and I'm not sure if that's

Peter Pappas: think my experience is primarily in Superior Court. So Okay. I'm well your campaign says every party, victim and witness deserves a fair hearing free from bias.

Rob Hasty: Well, your campaign says every party victim and witness deserves a fear hearing free from bias. tell me about something you've seen in the courtroom that made you think that wasn't happening. Well here some judges you just most are fear and people. Sometimes you can get a judge and feel like maybe

Peter Pappas: Tell me about something you've seen in a courtroom that made you think that wasn't happening. Well, here's some judges you just most are very good judges that I've appeared before, but sometimes you get a judge who feel like they may be bending over backwards if someone pro se or

Rob Hasty: So you know.

Peter Pappas: if they maybe know the attorney on the other side better if they're out of county or whatnot and I think a judge should always make sure that they're gonna be fair to all parties

Rob Hasty: county or whatnot and I think a judge should always make sure that we have anything fair to all parties.

Peter Pappas: and it's an equal playing field at all times. So have you seen that it's not happening? Well I can't say it's not happening. Again, this is this is the part of judges and lawyers do not make great disguise 'cause that you're bound by ethics and there's certain things I I'm not gonna expect you to say but

Rob Hasty: So have you seen that? it's not happening. Well, I think so it's not happening. And again, this is this is the part of judges and lawyers do not make greatest guesses. And there's some things I I'm not gonna expect you to say, but have you have you witnessed over your time that some things may run okay? Yes, and I you know some other speculation and the other, I think that we we judge as really broadly.

Peter Pappas: You know, have you have you witnessed over your time that some things maybe could run better? Yes. And I you know some of it is speculation and so I don't I can't say that a a judge has ruled a certain way improperly. But but I'm you don't what's in their heart. Well it looks to me sometimes is is a stack deck. Okay. Well, you've worked for the county since twenty twelve. voters will wonder about conflicts. So in plain English

Rob Hasty: You don't know what's in their heart. Okay. Well, you've worked for county since twenty twelve. voters will wonder about conflict. So in plain English, how do judges in North Carolina decide when to step aside from a case? Well, if they note the parties involved, they should

Peter Pappas: How do judges in North Carolina decide when to step aside from a case? Well, if they've know the parties involved, they should let that be known. If they believe that they can still rule fairly, they could continue to hear the case. But I think they should lay it on the table that, you know,

Rob Hasty: you know if they believe that they can still rule barely they can continue to hear the case. I think they should lay on the table.

Peter Pappas: if if they're, for instance, there's a defendant who they know and

Rob Hasty: Then who they know and

Peter Pappas: they could tell the plaintiff, plaintiff's attorney, you Mr. Jones, I go to church with so and so. Mm-hmm. And I that was should not affect me in any way in this case, but you should know that. And if you have an issue, then you know, if that person may say, Well, Your Honor, I would be more comfortable if a different judge would hear this case, then you have to kinda deal with that on a case by case basis.

Rob Hasty: So to make sure you're not repeating comfortable with him just to show you then particularly.

Peter Pappas: Okay. that's one example. So you're a certified mediator. I did not know that.

Rob Hasty: So you're a certified mediator, I did not know that. I need to be correct, I was I was a certified medium. Okay, you were a certified medium. So I went to the county economy mediation, so that it's expired. Well I've got the experience, we're gonna say that. So and again it's experience. first of all, how's your wife like that that you're a mediator?

Peter Pappas: well I need to correct that a little bit. I was a certified once I went with the county, I could no longer do mediation, so th it's expired. So I don't know. So so and again it's experience. first of all, how does your wife like that that you're a mediator? Like does that does that has that played a role in that? Yeah, I've always said that when I was going through that, that I my my daughter was a teenager at the time and so that I had hands on training at home. So I was sort of the go to.

Rob Hasty: that is that has that played a role in the I said that when I was going through that that I my my daughter's a teenager at the time and so I had hands on painting at home. Always going at it so that was what we're gonna go through how to mediate it. We've kind of beat your opponent up a little bit about, you know, he's all been on the bench and blah blah blah, you've got all this outside experience which is great. But being the mediator in in your past life, how does that change the way you were brought up forward? Is any of that is there anything

Peter Pappas: try to mediate cases. Well and we've kind of beat your opponent up a little bit about, you know, he's on been on the bench and blah, blah, blah. You've got all this outside experience, which is great. But being the mediator in in your past life, how does that change the way you would run a courtroom? Is any of that is there anything you've learned there that maybe would apply to running the courtroom? Well they're a little different. You know, when you're mediating you want to let the parties know this is their opportunity. They have control of their case, whether they want to compromise or not.

Rob Hasty: But they're a little different, you know, when you're mediating you want to let the parties know this is their opportunity, they have control of their kids.

Peter Pappas: They need to listen to the other party and hear their position.

Rob Hasty: Yeah, there's

Peter Pappas: Sure. And if they can reach a compromise, that's the time to do it. Because the mediator's not a judge. The mediator tries to help

Rob Hasty: Reach a compromise at the time we do. That's what we did with time and we need to talk to the help.

Peter Pappas: them find some consensus. Once they get to court, it's a different ballgame because the judge will tell you, you know, the belly's gonna tell you when to stand up and when to sit down, and the judge is gonna tell you when you get your lunch break and when

Rob Hasty: So get the court and the judge will tell you the bill can tell you when to stand up, to sit down, the judges can tell you when to get the launch where you

Peter Pappas: you do this and that, and he's gonna make

Rob Hasty: decisions that could affect the case and problem. So you lose some control. So there are different rules.

Peter Pappas: decisions that could affect your case. When your lawyer objects, he's either gonna agree or disagree with that objection. So you lose some control there. So there are different roles. and I think you know, once you're a judge, you know what the parties have gone have had a mediation

Rob Hasty: Those noble parties have gone have had a mediation.

Peter Pappas: most likely, 'cause they're required in superior court cases in most of the cases. And they obviously couldn't reach an agreement, but you can't let that affect,

Rob Hasty: Can't let that back.

Peter Pappas: you know what you're gonna do then as a judge, you have to understand the parties have had their opportunity and now they've chosen to go to trial. They have to Your job is to say we'll let that in or we're not gonna let that in. I mean that's pretty simple. So you're running with an R next to your name for a judgeship and I just the way this is worded, I don't know if I like it, but how do you feel having party labels on the ballot affects our process with choosing judges? Well it wasn't too long ago that they were

Rob Hasty: Your job is to say, we'll let that in or we're not gonna let that in. It's pretty simple. So you're running with an R next to your name for a judge ship and I guess the way this is worded, I don't know if I like it, but how do you feel having party labels on the ballot affects our process with Juicy James? Well, it wasn't too long ago that they were you took a nonpartisan. Right. It is I I think they should be because I just think they're on the Dutch goal.

Peter Pappas: consider nonpartisan races and it is I I think they should be 'cause I just think in general a judge the whole purpose is to have someone who's fair and not leaning one way or the other

Rob Hasty: purposes I have something there not being one way or the other.

Peter Pappas: and and so it it and it can affect the way people vote because some people are gonna always vote with one with the R by their name and some will always vote for the candidate with the D by their name. And so it makes that a little bit difficult too. If it's nonpartisan, I think you have more of an opportunity to

Rob Hasty: that a little bit difficult too. So party's name you have more of an opportunity to spread them.

Peter Pappas: Spread your message and and and garner votes that aren't partisan per se. If you've ever watched an episode with Laura and I, we always talk about, you know, f when you go to vote and please if you have not voted, vote early. Just get it out of the way 'cause you don't know what November second's gonna have, weather wise or whatever else. But

Rob Hasty: Well they're not partisan. If you've ever watched an episode with Laura and I we always talk about, you know, when you go to vote and please if you have not voted, go to vote and just give it out of the way and you don't know what November sentence gonna have. weather wise or whatever else. But Flip the ballot of start at the bottom, work your way up. Soil and water, kind of condition, our local journey. Those all play a much larger role in our lives than the the the sexy races, the sin of the United States. They affect you effectively once a year of the state, a couple times a year locally.

Peter Pappas: Flip the ballot over. Start at the bottom, work your way up. Mm-hmm. Soil and water, county commission, our local judges, those all play a much larger role in our lives than the the the sexy races, the Senate and the state. Yeah, they affect you federally once a year or the state, yeah, a couple of times a year. But locally, I got a stack of code enforcement letters on my desk right now. So you know, they're kinda in my pocket more often.

Rob Hasty: stock of code enforcement owners and all desk right now. So you they're kinda in my pocket more

Peter Pappas: That's a good idea because I understand a lot of people good percentage of people once they work their way down the ballot, they just stop. Yeah. Do you know

Rob Hasty: often. I think I understand a lot of people a good percentage of people with the what they're weigh down the valley is stuck. Yeah that's a colour.

Peter Pappas: how do you know a number on that? I think it was a pretty big fall off. Yeah, it's something there. That they just stop. Mm-hmm. They don't even bother to flip over. They just you know, they get the marquee races and they leave.

Rob Hasty: They it was a pretty big fall off. Yeah, it's something. But they just stop. They didn't even bother to flip over. They just you know, they get the marquee races and they leave. Walk me through the biggest trial you've ever had. It's something that you could discuss. In a way you can discuss it for that time. Well, that's good.

Peter Pappas: Walk me through the biggest trial you've ever handled, something that you could discuss. All right. Well In a way you can discuss it. Let's put like that. Well, let's see. I've got to go back to but we've Lord, don't give away your strategy if you see the cabos don't you said it though. No, I mean we we were prepared. We were on F Sue County. It wasn't us. It wasn't us that said let's let's sign the track. We're we're gonna back up the back that one up a little bit. Okay. All right. So the largest case you've handled, what do you what what kind of case and how was it? All right. Well

Rob Hasty: Lord, don't get away your strategy. No, I mean we we were prepared we're on if Sue counting. Okay, we're we're gonna back up the back that one up a little bit. Okay. Alright, so the largest case you handled, what you what what kind of case and how was it? Well a couple of the ball, it was a 1300 case probably and if you're talking like dollar wise and

Peter Pappas: There were a couple of us involved. It was a nursing home case probably. If you're talking like dollar wise, 'cause that's kind of what it was they were saying when they wanted That gets everybody's attention. The dollars. A couple of millions of dollars. that's all. And we

Rob Hasty: I think it's everybody's defending dollars. that's all.

Peter Pappas: it was, you know, a woman was in a nursing home and had she a negligence claim

Rob Hasty: That would be funny.

Peter Pappas: that they didn't properly take care of her and that ultimately her I think her leg had to be amputated. But we

Rob Hasty: We went around

Peter Pappas: went to trial and had all you know doctors lined up and whatnot and we the jury found in their favor

Rob Hasty: Found in their favor, but

Peter Pappas: but only awarded a small amount, like forty, fifty thousand dollars. I say small amount, but how does that w how does that I've always wondered, like you you hear these like huge settlements coming and then you have instances like that where I mean the lady lost a part of her body. I mean, do they just have a do they have a chart of like how much a leg's worth or something? Well no, but I mean at the end of the day it wasn't

Rob Hasty: How does that how does that I've always wondered, like you you hear these like huge settlements coming and then you have instances like that where I mean the lady lost a part of her body. Well do they just have a do they have a chart of like how much her legs were or something? Well no, but I mean at the end of the day it wasn't our fault. Okay. So you don't we have a strong case? Okay.

Peter Pappas: our fault. Okay. So I got you. There were other factors involved and some already some pre existing problems and whatnot. And so we felt like we had a strong case. And and they you know the other side pushed it and but we were satisfied with the jury's rule how long did that take that trial? It was a full week that particular case. Okay. That's a lot of money moving in less than a week. Mm-hmm. That's that's a pretty big deal. So if you're called for jury duty

Rob Hasty: How long did that take, that trial? It was a full week that we that's a lot of money moving in less than a week. That's that's pretty big deal. So if you call it the jury duty or you're a witness or a victim of Cumberland County Porthouse, what's that experience like right now and what would you change about? Well I I had jury duty not too long ago. I I was a I had to sit in the room just the witness move up and and

Peter Pappas: or you're witness or a victim at the Cumberland County Courthouse. What's that experience like right now and what would you change about it? Well, I've I had jury duty not too long ago. I didn't I would I had to sit in the room, I guess. I went and I showed up and and I took the oath and s watched the video and then you sit in the room. Don't you get like a pass? Don't you get like some professional courtesy like that? You don't want a lawyer in here

Rob Hasty: Don't you get like a pass? Don't you get like some professional courtesy like that? You don't want a lawyer in here. Well you you can I mean try, but okay. I mean some lawyers are have to be chosen. Okay. I think

Peter Pappas: try, but I felt like it was my civic duty. So I went down I mean some lawyers are have been chosen. I think I think one of our former court clerks was actually on the I just thought maybe that would be many are most are probably booted off. They'll know the attorneys

Rob Hasty: I just thought maybe that'd be many are most are probably good at all on over.

Peter Pappas: are something there's some you know they some people just don't want a lawyer on it. You sat and did you but I was not picked for the jury. They they ended up resolving all the cases

Rob Hasty: But you just don't want to lie or pull the privilege card, you sat But how wasn't that picked over jury they they end up desire and article?

Peter Pappas: and so the judge called us in To let us know that the big case that we were on standby for

Rob Hasty: It's the standard word.

Peter Pappas: had resolved. It was a criminal case of some type. And and so anyway, I guess to answer your question. The process wasn't so bad because you got to call the number the night before and there's a chance that you wouldn't

Rob Hasty: So anyway, I just want to question the process wasn't so bad because you got to call the number the night before and there was a chance that you wouldn't

Peter Pappas: even have to come, so that was nice. but the waiting around

Rob Hasty: Like a waiting around.

Peter Pappas: part, and I don't know Frankly if I have the answer to that 'cause you it's just sorta needed. Yeah, yeah, there's no real solution for the way to some way to to to resolve that or

Rob Hasty: That's it's sort of neat. Yeah, yeah there's there was a some way to to to resolve that.

Peter Pappas: that would be nice, but again I don't have the answer to that. Come on. I I go to a longhorn, they get they take my phone number and they you know, hey your table's ready. I don't know. They trust people to come back if they need right away. So maybe not just the jury duty stuff, but the you know, as a witness or a victim, you know

Rob Hasty: I I go to a Longhorn, they got they take my phone number and they you know hang your tables ready. I don't know if they trust you. Well meet them right away. So maybe not just the jury duty stuff, but the you know, as a witness or a victim, you know, do they are people just waiting around all day to be heard? I mean, is it often we do have victim advocates do that specific thing?

Peter Pappas: Do they are people just waiting around all day to be heard? I mean, is it oftentimes we do have victim advocates who and that which is a good thing. I'm I don't have a problem with the court system per se, the way it it's

Rob Hasty: I don't have a problem with the court system per se the way you want to see.

Peter Pappas: run. I think the folks who are in charge right now, our clerk's office, our trial court administrator, our senior resident judge, they do a good job, I think, and do the best they can with the administration of it. And so I'm not running to

Rob Hasty: do a good job and that they can. the administration works. And so I'm not running to it try to change the things or

Peter Pappas: try to change things per se. I mean I'm yeah I've got it'd be a big enough job to be a judge but so I'm fairly satisfied with the way okay things are. But you know, there is unfortunately a lot of waiting around

Rob Hasty: big enough jobs have to be a judge but so I'm fairly satisfied with the way things are. But you know, there is unfortunately a lot of waiting around.

Peter Pappas: you you know, sometimes when 'cause you don't when the judges don't always know when exactly they can get the jury selected and whatnot and so I've seen enough down there that it's y it really, you know, it's up to how much the person speaking is listening to the judge's instruction and doesn't go off the beaten path and the judge has to pull them back over to this side of reality. I've seen that. let's talk about Fort Bragg. Soldiers and their families, they do end up in our courts. custody contracts, criminal cases. is there anything available for military is there any help for military families? Is there anything they need to know before they walk into our courthouse?

Rob Hasty: I've seen enough down there that it's it really, you know, it's up to how much the person speaking is listening to the judge's instruction and doesn't go off the beaten path and the judge has to pull them back over to this side of reality? I've seen that. let's talk about Fort Rag. Soldiers and their families, they do end up in our courts. custody, contract, criminal cases. is there anything available for military is there any help for military families? Is there anything they need to know before they walk into our courthouse? Well, they have financial advocates to that help them, but they're they're pretty much treat like everyone else. They have to be part of the court system. And we do have for instance in a civil suit and say it's illegal.

Peter Pappas: Well, they have should have some advocates to to help them, but they're they're pretty much pretty like everyone else. If they have to be part of the court system. And we do have for inst i in a civil suit is the Soldiers and Saviour's Relief Act. And you have to before you file a lawsuit against someone in the military, you have to check if they're active military or not. And there's a form that's actually filed when you file your case. To let the court system know that. And so if people are deployed or whatnot, that case will be stayed or put on hold until they have an opportunity to properly be there and and defend themselves and it won't affect the

Rob Hasty: people are deployed or whatnot, that case will be saved or put on hold until they have an opportunity to properly be there in defendants or

Peter Pappas: statute limitations or whatnot. But so so legally, yes, that's the the That's the that's kind of a nice nugget we give the military families, but you've lived here your entire life. I mean and you've been practicing a long time. So what's changed most?

Rob Hasty: So legally, yes. That's the that's kind of a nice nugget we get from military families, but you've lived here your entire life, I mean, and you've been practicing a long time. So what's changed most about Cumberland County courts since you started practicing in 1940? Yeah, so you've been if technology is the main thing, okay. I've sort of started right before the big boom was a lot of technology.

Peter Pappas: About Carmel County courts since you started practicing in ninety-eight? Gosh, there've been is technology is the main thing. I mean I've sort of started right just before the big boom with all the technology. But I mean I remember our firm got our first cell phone and it was one that we shared. And it's just amazing. But now, you know, just computers and in the office and whatnot. But the big biggest change is

Rob Hasty: for cell phones with one and share and it's just amazing. But now you know just computers and in the office and whatnot. But the big biggest change is what happened just a couple years ago where we went e ports for example, where everything was pretty much electronic now.

Peter Pappas: what happened just a couple of years ago where we now have the e courts program where everything is pretty much electronic now the court files. So when we file cases we do it right there at the office. You used to, you know, copy all your cases, your copies and you you or your parleal would go down to this clerk's office and their check

Rob Hasty: For example, you can

Peter Pappas: and get it all stamped in on the machine in front of the clerk. Yeah, I kinda miss that with the evictions I have to do. Yeah, I like going down there in black and white, but

Rob Hasty: Yeah, I kinda miss that with the evictions I have to do. Yeah, I like going down there in black and white, but they'll still take my money down there. I was a little nervous about that at first. It just it was a big change but it's it's worked out. It's very convenient now you can just do it for that and just put Isn't that statewide though? It is statewide now. They they did it, they implemented it counties at a time and provided

Peter Pappas: They'll still take my money down there at least. I was a little nervous about that at first. It just seemed it was a big change, but it's it's worked out. It's it's very convenient now. You can just sit at your desk and look up cases. Statewide though? It is statewide now. They they did it, they implemented it counties at a time. They divided them up to me like ten counties or so at a time if they got that started. But now I think all fifty a hundred counties an

Rob Hasty: a hundred count I think.

Peter Pappas: hour were i in on that now. Yeah. Statewide. That's crazy. To get a hundred counties to agree to anything, but it's kind of forced. So it came from on high. so

Rob Hasty: That's crazy. Get a hundred pounds of really anything, but it's kind of forced. Yeah. It came from on high. so This is kind of a restatement of a question I had earlier, but

Peter Pappas: This is kind of a restatement of a question I had earlier, but you practice law for more than twenty five years, but you've never presided over a courtroom. Your opponent has been a judge for over a decade. So is that much experience at the council table enough to go straight to the superior court without ever having been a judge? Yes or no? Yes. I mean I mean ever every judge has day one on the job. And

Rob Hasty: practiced law for more than twenty-five years, but you've never presided over a court. Your opponent has been a judge for over a decade. So is that much experience at the council table enough to go straight to the Supreme Court without ever having been a judge? Yes or no? Yes. I mean every every judge has they want on job. And

Peter Pappas: you know I've been in courtrooms, I've been in front of a lot of judges and so you you know and you've pr had cases before

Rob Hasty: Then in courtrooms are in front of a lot of judges and so you know you know in that case of courtroom.

Peter Pappas: on both the plaintiff side, defense side, some criminal matters. I don't do a lot of that, but you know how the courtroom works, you know the rules of evidence, the rules of court,

Rob Hasty: with lot of that, but you know how the court would work, you know, with evidence in the court.

Peter Pappas: rules of civil procedure, and you've seen been involved in these. and there's going to be a new judge one way or the other and

Rob Hasty: kings and been involved in these. and there's going to be a new judge one way or the other. Well, for me to try wrong, but your your opponent is gonna age out of the office is not if you were s to be reelected. Right. and that was a factor in why I yeah jumped into this race and judges have to retire when at the end of the year they turn seventy two. And so he can

Peter Pappas: Well forgive me I'm wrong, but your your opponent is gonna age out of the office, is he not, if he was to be reelected? Right. and that was a factor in why I yeah jumped into this race. Superior Court judges have to retire when at the end of the year they turn seventy two. And so he can serve one year if if he's elected

Rob Hasty: So one year you left.

Peter Pappas: and then there'll be an appointment so there will be a new judge. well, and that's something I think people don't

Rob Hasty: Yeah. Well, and that's something I think people don't catch on to is that you can either have a choice at all and choose you, or you can choose the other guy who's just gonna quit anyway, and then the governor is gonna control who is your judge. That's right, isn't it? And there's no other way to sugarcoat that.

Peter Pappas: catch on to is that you can either have a choice at the polling place right now and choose you or you can choose the other guy who's just gonna quit anyway and then the governor is gonna control who is your judge. That's right. I mean they're I mean there's no other way to sugarcoat that. The North Carolina Constitution provides that judges are elected by the people. And so those of us who are aspire to it, we enter this campaign period and we spend a lot of time and a lot of money. Mm-hmm

Rob Hasty: Trying to let the voters get know who we are and that we are qualified and experienced.

Peter Pappas: Trying to let the voters get to know who we are and that we are qualified and that we are experienced and that we can do the job. And it's an eight year term. I'm committed and and able to serve the full eight years and I'm excited to do that if the voters choose me. and if, you know, my opponent

Rob Hasty: since an eight year term and committed and and able to serve for full of eight years. it's I think it's good because it has to choose from. and it

Peter Pappas: wins, he he has to retire in one year and then the politicians will see my problem with the appointment is that

Rob Hasty: See, my problem with the appointment is that even though you can run a good campaign and should you not make it in, it doesn't mean like if the appointment comes open that the governor's gonna say, well, we ran against him last time. He's a good guy, let me just plug him. Yeah, That is the consider the trashiest thing of partisan politics I think we have going on in our

Peter Pappas: even though you can run a good campaign and should you not make it in, it doesn't mean like if the appointment comes open that the the governor's gonna say, Well, who ran against him last time? He's a good guy. Let me just pluck him. Well you mentioned earlier the R's and the D's behind hims and the governor's a D and he's never gonna consider me for this trashiest thing of partisan politics I think we have going on in our in our political sphere right now is that

Rob Hasty: The sphere right now is that that straight and then Republicans do it too, so I can't really blame them. I can blame them, I think. But you know, it's just like do you have to be that much of a party guy? Can you just not look at who's qualified? Because we did just have wasn't there another seat that just got appointed recently? There was probably this year about a year ago when one of the other in the other did the campaigns we have. Yeah, of course. Yeah.

Peter Pappas: That's straight and the Republicans do it too, so I can't really blame the Democrat. I can blame the Democrats. But you know, it's just like, do you have to be that much of a party guy? Can you just not look at who's qualified? Because we did just have wasn't there another seat that just got appointed recently? There was probably this year about a year ago in one of the other in the other district fourteen B, we have a appointed judge and she's running unopposed too. Yeah, of course. Yeah,

Rob Hasty: I even had beef when Sheriff Wright

Peter Pappas: I even had beef when Sheriff Wright

Rob Hasty: he was appointed and then the next cycle he had on his signs reelect. And I was like, Didn't we really though? Like we didn't really you know, and I spoke to one of your cohorts, Mr. Porter back then and I was like, Come on

Peter Pappas: he was appointed and then the next cycle he had on his signs re elect. And I was like, did we really though? Like we didn't really you know, and I spoke to one of your cohorts, Mr. Porter back then, and I was like, Come on, man,

Rob Hasty: It's not re-electing. That's he's already he got appointed. He was anointed, appointed, but but he's like, Well, that's kind of a standard procedure for those guys. So

Peter Pappas: it's not reelecting. That's he's already he got appointed. He was anointed, appointed that but he's like, Well that's kind of a standard procedure for those guys. So

Rob Hasty: if appointed, then you can say you've been re you've got to be re-elected. So sure. I don't I I didn't I didn't agree with it and I wasn't trying to be just super prickly about it. I was just like that's

Peter Pappas: If appointed, then you can say you've been re you're gonna be reelected. So I'm not sure about that. I don't I I didn't I didn't agree with it, and I wasn't trying to be just super prickly about it. I was just like, that's I gotta say if my sub is six inches or twelve inches, I can't say it's maybe six and a half, you know. Exactly. so last one, I'm gonna let you go. If somebody watching agrees with me in almost everything and thinks you're wrong on almost everything, what's the one thing you'd want them to take out of the last half?

Rob Hasty: I gotta say if my sub is six inches or twelve inches. I can't say it's maybe six and a half, you know. so last one, I'm gonna let you go. If somebody watching agrees with me in almost everything and thinks you're wrong on almost everything, what's the one thing you want them to take out of the last half hour?

Peter Pappas: Just I think the overall picture that I've got the experience,

Rob Hasty: I think the overall picture that I've got the experience,

Peter Pappas: you mentioned it it's over twenty five years of practicing law and it's I I've appeared at every level of our court system here in North Carolina from small claims court and I've argued a case at the North Carolina Supreme Court,

Rob Hasty: beered at every level with our court system. We have to run some small things for it and not already case and working on a Supreme Court.

Peter Pappas: which not too many people, not too many attorneys have had that opportunity. Okay. But the bulk of my practice is superior court. I've been in over twenty counties in superior courtrooms,

Rob Hasty: But the Baltimore practice is secure for the twenty counties secure corporate.

Peter Pappas: probably before, you know, well over a hundred judges that I've seen and I think.

Rob Hasty: That should say I'm sorry. And all kinds of things with some negative things.

Peter Pappas: Had all kind of cases, some negligence to contracts, to employment, to zoning, and I've seen just about it all.

Rob Hasty: yeah.

Peter Pappas: And I feel like I've got the experience to do this, John. And there you have it, Rob Hasty, the Swiss Army knife of legal expertise. So thank you for being here. you did come in at the end of a long day. I know it's a was a proverbial Monday for you. you answered every question. Not everybody does all that. Now, where do people find you for your campaign?

Rob Hasty: There you have it, Rob Hasty, he's with Samian for legal expertise. So thank you for being here. you did come in at the end of a long day. I know it's was a proverbial Monday for you. you answered every question, not everybody does all that. Now where do people find you for your campaign? Rob Hasty for judge.com is my website. More information on there.

Peter Pappas: Rob Hasty for judge.com is my website. There's more information on there and I would gladly have people check that out. Okay. Well, folks, go look it up. That's what Google's meant for, and that's the point. Rob, the door is always open for you. You come back after the election, win or lose, and you tell us what you learned out there on the trail. And for the record, Judge Stephen Stokes was invited twice and did not respond. I think it's fair to let you know that we've reached out and

Rob Hasty: Folks, go look it up. That's what Google's meant for, and that's the point. Rob, the door is always open for you. You come back after the election win or lose and you tell us what you learned out there on the trail. And for the record, Judge Stephen Stokes was invited twice and did not respond. I think it's fair to let you know that we've reached out and he's free to come. But he and some other these I guess don't think we're important enough, so

Peter Pappas: He's free to come, but he and some other Ds, I guess don't think we're important enough. So with that, I appreciate you being here. Have a good evening and see you on the trail. Thank you so much.

Rob Hasty: With that, I appreciate you being here. Have a good evening and see you on the trail. Thank you so much.