Caroline Turner Runs for Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Courts

Candidate: Caroline Turner

Court: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas

Party: Democrat

Philadelphia Bar Association rating: Recommended

Ballot Position: 

The following has been edited lightly for length and style.

The Legal Intelligencer: Tell us about your background, where you went to law school, what firms you have practiced at, and areas of law you focus on.

Caroline Turner: Originally a nurse in London, I moved to the U.S. in 1998. I earned a Master’s degree in bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Temple School of Law as a single mother of four young children. After that, I spent the next 11 years as a public defender in New Jersey, trying felonies from homicides to white-collar crimes (and everything in between) and winning acquittals in 85% of my trials. I witnessed injustice and racism endured by those I served and fought relentlessly for them. I became a plaintiff’s medical malpractice trial attorney with Swartz Culleton PC at the end of 2017 and I try civil cases in Philadelphia. I regularly volunteer in the Philadelphia community doing food sharing, and I perform mediations for CORA’s Housing Eviction Diversion Program. My pro bono work includes defending numerous Philadelphia citizens who are criminally accused. I also do pro bono PCRAs for the wrongly convicted, of whom there are many here in Philadelphia.

The Legal: What is one major thing about your career experience that most qualifies you for this position, and why?

Turner: I have had extensive experience for the last 17 years as a trial attorney. I am one of the few potential judges with such trial experience. Not only have I experienced terrible injustice personally but I have also witnessed and been a part of a justice system that would consistently trample the rights of those who cannot afford a good defense because they either get stuck in jail pre-trial or because they cannot afford a lawyer of their choice. I have seen injustice first-hand as a public defender and as a pro bono attorney in community. It is because I am in the community that I understand the issues that many of my clients face. I see the legacy of centuries of injustice in the generational divestment of resources and people from certain communities. As a lawyer I can help one person or family at a time. As a judge I can alter the lives and experiences of thousands of people a year for the better by administering justice fairly and by involving communities in the solutions to the problems that brought defendants to court in the first place. I am determined to combine compassion with justice and to care for victims in a way that makes them feel heard and acknowledged and cared for in my courtroom. I am inspired every day by the strength of the Philadelphia community and my late son Ben, who suffered his own injustice because of our justice system and who urged me to “Never quit, Mom, keep fighting for justice.”

The Legal: What is the main reason Pennsylvania voters should pick you?

Turner: I am an active part of the Philadelphia community. When voters cast their ballot for me, they are casting their ballot for a neighbor they can count on to be present, transparent, and just. I am accessible, and I thrive in the individual interactions with each and every voter. It is a humbling experience to listen to the personal ways in which the justice system has affected the lives of my community. Pennsylvania voters can count on me making the time to listen, following through on my promises, and effecting the change our communities need to heal.

The Legal: What will be your approach to moving matters efficiently through the case management system?

Turner: I will make sure that cases are ready prior to coming to court by arranging “case-ready” conferences a few days prior to court so that the endless continuances that we are currently experiencing are greatly reduced. This will also greatly decrease the inconvenience experienced by family members who have to take days off work to be there for their loved ones, only to find that their cases have been continued, as well as needless long bus rides for defendants coming from rural prisons only to find that their cases are postponed.

I will be punctual and efficient in my time management, being fully prepared and having researched case law on legal issues that will be presented to me prior to hearings. I will be open to real-time monitoring, research, academia and community-based organizations and keep a spreadsheet of my decisions with access upon request which will increase public trust in my court and in our justice system, in addition to increasing the efficiency and credibility of my rulings.

The Legal: What would you say to voters regarding your plans to ensure the equal administration of justice for all people?

Turner: Both the criminally accused and victims deserve to be heard to ensure the courts are helping to heal the community while balancing justice and following the law with love and compassion. Judges can serve as facilitators of healing and can model restorative justice in their dealings with people who come before them. I will work with community liaison people and resources so that those before me will have access to specific treatment and/or community supports such as job training, mentorship, housing, and employment opportunities, where possible. Given the historic inequities and inhumanities of our justice system, I will treat every individual that comes into my courtroom with the utmost dignity and respect. I also pledge to continue my work in community whilst on the bench.

The Legal: Where can voters go for more information about you?

Turner: https://www.turner4judge.com/