Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Oct. 30, 1980, edition 1 / Page 20
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Helms Advocates Expanding Magestrate’s Authority By Susan Ellsworth Post SUff Writer “People are losing confidence in our system of government because of the way our criminal courts operate,” warned Democrat Parks Helms, a three-term general as sembly member in the State House | of Representatives. Helms, who now chairs the Judi ciary II committee and the N.C. Courts Commission, called for re ducing the backlog of cases by first decriminalizing traffic litigation and then enforcing the speedy trial law. Seeking his fourth term, Helms advocated expanding a magis trate’s authority to allow him to hear more cases, and creating a separate department for traffic. This move “will keep the aver age citizen from becoming unduly involved in the criminal court and free judges and the district at torney to concentrate on criminal defendants charged with, serious misdemeanors and felonies,” he said. An attorney and partner in the firm of Lanes and Helms, the candidate is pressing to expand the public defender system. The state should provide addi tional money to afford and keep a qualified attorney as public de fender, Helms said. He emphasized that the term indigent needs a more clear de finition so only the truly destitute will receive services. Although Helms admitted a moral and religious opposition to abortion, since it is already legal Here, ne supports funding abor tions for poor women. This deacon at Park Road Bap abortions are available to the wealthy and middle class women who can afford them, but not to the poor. Is there a way to relieve the housing crunch for low income people? Helms thinks so. He has advocated giving tax credits for part of the purchase price 0f a home. Helms also recommended state funding for low income resident's housing. As a member of the Banks and Thrift Institutions committee, Helms also proposed the state administer these programs on be half of the federal government. ‘ ‘There is a good stock of existing homes in this community,” Helms pointed out, “...but people can't . repair their homes if they can t secure money.” He emphasized, “We can’t give areas like housing funds and still expect to cut taxes. Legislative leadership is needed to develc* these kinds of initiative.” » A member of the Mental Health Study Commission, Helms sug gested sending alcoholics to a local treatment facility which would operate on a lower budget instead of a psychiatric hospital to dry out Helms is a past president of the Charlotte Jaycees, a former Good will Industries director. He is a graduate of UNC-C, and a member of the State Bar Association, American Bar Associations and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHARLOTTE POST JUST COMPLETE THE COUPON BELOW AND MAIL TO: CHARLOTTE POST P.O. BOX 30144 CHARLOTTE, N.C 28230 or CALL 376-0496 | | One Year $13.52 [■ | 6 Months $9.10 1 Two years $21.84 n | | Bill Me Later Name Address City State-Zip reprtlzntative parks helms —Chats With Susan EUsworth Vote MARILYN BISSELL County Commission •Governmental Experience 8 Years in N.C. General Assembly •Civil Experience 24 Years Involvement In Mecklenburg County •Education Graduated N.C. Central Law School 1980 Admitted To N.C. Bar September 1980 Bissel for County Commission Committee
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Oct. 30, 1980, edition 1
20
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