JACKSON – If Cynthia Moore had to sum-up her job using just two words, they would be “dignity” and “respect.”

Those are the words she chose to describe how she treats individuals who come before her in her role as a Northampton County Magistrate.

Recently, Moore was recognized by Chief District 6B Judge Alfred Kwasikpui for her five years of service to the citizens of Northampton County.

“It’s an honor for me to serve the citizens of our county,” Moore said.

Moore said she completely understood that she often catches people at their worst times, but she is able to smooth out those rough spots in someone’s life by treating individuals with dignity and respect.

“I treat them with dignity, no matter the circumstances,” she stressed. “That’s what it’s all about….respect, fairness and kindness. If they are appearing before me due to breaking the law or in an effort to settle a dispute, there’s no need to add fuel to the fire.”

When it comes to being a part of the law enforcement/judicial system, Moore is a natural.

The daughter of the late Joe White, who served as Police Chief for the towns of Woodland and Rich Square, Moore has been around law enforcement all her life. She is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University with a BS degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on handling civil cases.

Since 2001, she has served as a part-time magistrate under the supervision of Judge Kwasikpui.

“I was in the right place at the right time to land this job,” Moore said. “I was talking one day with a close friend n Northampton County Clerk of Court Michelle Spruill n and she told me there was a part-time magistrate’s position open. The ball just started rolling from there.”

Moore said her work is scheduled on a “fill-in” basis, covering for any of the five, full-time magistrates in the county.

“I love my job, so much that I hope one day they’ll take my position to full-time,” Moore concluded. “I enjoy the people I work with, we mesh very well together.”

Those she works with couldn’t agree more.

“For the past five years Magistrate Cynthia White-Moore has been a great asset to the Magistrate system in this district,” Judge Kwasikpui said. “She has unselfishly stepped in to work for other magistrates during times of emergency, often with few hours’ notice.

She has been willing to help other magistrates when several persons were waiting for assistance.”

Judge Kwasikpui concluded by saying, “Because of her quick grasp of the magistrate duties, I have been able to assign Magistrate Moore to other counties within this district when the local magistrates have had a conflict in hearing a particular case. I am hopeful that with our legislature’s aid that her position will become fulltime.”