From the bench, Judge Robert Hobgood emphasized that the removal process is neither a civil nor a criminal matter but rather an inquiry. Hobgood also stated that the inquiry is about statements made about Senior Resident Judge Orlando Hudson.
On Thursday, ABC11 learned Cline had found a law firm to represent her in her legal troubles.
According to document, the firm of Van Camp, Meacham, and Newman of Pinehurst is representing Cline in legal documents filed with the Durham County Superior Court.
The documents sought another delay in a hearing over whether Cline will get to keep her job. That hearing is now set for Monday. Cline wanted it put off to March 1.
Two weeks ago, Hobgood ordered Cline suspended pending the outcome of the hearing into her ongoing feud with Hudson.
Cline has said she recently had medical issues and struggled to find an attorney who did not have a conflict of interest and was geographically suited to represent her.
In court Monday, Cline was obviously losing her voice.
Cline was suspended after Durham Attorney Kerry Sutton filed an 11-page affidavit last month against the DA. In it he said Cline should be removed from her office on the grounds of habitual intemperance and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Sutton also said ongoing attacks Cline made against Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson were grounds for her removal.
The DA had been feuding with Hudson for months and accused him of bias against her in cases. Cline has even called the judge dishonest and corrupt - and asked that he be barred from hearing criminal cases in Durham County in a complaint to the Judicial Standards Commission.
Sutton will present evidence on Monday. Cline's attorney will present his arguments on Friday, Feb. 24.
Governor Beverly Perdue has named retired Superior Court Judge A. Leon Stanback, Jr. as the interim replacement for the Durham district attorney.
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