Position/philosophy statement
My prosecutorial philosophy is that as the District Attorney, I should be a minister of justice. That means my primary duty is to pursue the truth, without fear or favor, rather than just convict. I take that responsibility very seriously – knowing
Current Occupation
District Attorney - 16th Prosecutorial District
I have been the DA in Durham for 7 years. In those 7 years, crime has decreased and community engagement and resources have increased. I have managed a strong staff and reduced the time it takes to resolve cases as well as ushered our office into eCourts with no major issues. I have been in law practice for 31 years. My practice has been broad and has mostly focused on litigation and systemic change. I have practiced both criminal prosecution and defense, represented county DSS, been General Counsel at NC DHHS, practiced health care law, financial fraud defense, housing law and finance.
Gun offenses and violent crime require a focused, intentional approach grounded in consistency, accountability, and clarity. My priority is to ensure these cases are identified early, reviewed promptly, and handled by prosecutors with the experience and resources necessary to move them forward. That starts with structured case triage at intake, allowing serious violent offenses and repeat offender cases to be flagged for expedited review and enhanced oversight.
My office is currently working with local agencies to create a consolidated Recovery Court that merges our mental health and substance abuse diversion programs.
I would also like to see Durham County develop and offer a Veterans Court. With Duke VA, our community has many justice involved veterans who could find better resources outside the criminal justice system.
Theinability to increase the size of and match local wages for both attorneys and support staff is a barrier to recruitment and retention. Across the country, jurisdictions the size of Durham County have at least 2x the number of staff. And salaries are well behind what attorneys can make in private practice or even other government practice. An experienced trial attorney can make twice as much in private practice as with my office. An experienced legal assistant can make more than an entry level ADA in private practice.
The explosion of digital evidence has also increased the administrative and discovery burden on the office. The eCourts has required a higher level of IT skill than has historically been possessed by most DA offices.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Position/philosophy statement
Durham County District Attorney
Current Occupation
Defense Attorney
Age (optional)
42
Campaign Phone
3364140439
I have nearly sixteen years of legal experience, primarily in criminal defense. My practice has included representing individuals charged with offenses ranging from minor traffic violations and drug cases to the most serious violent felonies, including murder. I have also represented victims seeking restraining and protective orders in domestic violence cases. A significant portion of my work has focused on advocating for juveniles, ensuring their rights are protected and that they receive fair representation. This broad experience has allowed me to listen to, understand, and respond to the needs of the Durham community as a whole.
One of the most pressing challenges facing the District Attorney’s Office is addressing violent crime–particularly the rise in juvenile violent offenses–while ensuring that residents feel safe and supported in their communities. In addressing violent crime, the District Attorney’s Office must balance fairness and equity with its responsibility to protect the safety and security of Durham’s residents. To meet this challenge, I would make prosecutors more accessible and visible within the community and prioritize proactive outreach in neighborhoods most impacted by violence. Building trust through presence, communication, and partnership is essential to improving safety while advancing justice for all.
In recent years, Durham has experienced a rise in both violent and property offenses involving juveniles, alongside an increase in truancy. Through my work with the Durham County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, I learned that truancy rates increased from about 19% before 2019 to nearly 37% after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, placing Durham among the highest in North Carolina. This trend closely mirrors the rise in juvenile crime, yet our courts lack targeted solutions. If elected, I will prioritize restoring a dedicated truancy court and establish a convenience court to address compliance and minor traffic cases. This will reduce overcrowded dockets, and make the court system more accessible to the community.
The District Attorney’s Office needs additional Victim Assistants and Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs). More Victim Assistants will help keep communication open by serving as consistent points of contact for victims. The office must also enforce mandatory office hours to better serve defense attorneys and defendants. In the courtroom, there should always be at least one ADA assigned to manage the docket and resolve cases ready for disposition. As DA, I would designate an ADA to handle negotiations outside the courtroom to reduce delays and ensure that all cases screened into District Court are reviewed in advance and prepared for timely resolution.
I have spent my entire practice advocating for those who are marginalized and whose rights have been violated. I have a deep love and passion for the people of Durham County, and I believe our community deserves a District Attorney who shares that commitment and is willing to fight for justice and equality. Durham deserves a District Attorney who is present in both the courtroom and the community. One who will collaborate with law enforcement and community leaders to ensure everyone feels safe. My goal is to rebuild the trust between the District Attorney's Office and the community. This trust has been lost over the years. Durham deserves better, and that is why I am running for District Attorney.
