Position/philosophy statement
Vote Amber Eades Crouch for District Court Judge
Current Occupation
Attorney
Age (optional)
37
Campaign Phone
828-999-9863
I have spent over a decade practicing law in District Court. During my time as a prosecutor, I handled every type of criminal case in District Court, including juvenile, traffic offenses, misdemeanors, and low-level felonies. I also served as the prosecutor for the Catawba County Drug Treatment Court and as the back-up prosecutor for Veterans Treatment Court.
Today, I continue my work in our community as the defense attorney for Veterans Treatment Courts of Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties, as well as the Juvenile Recovery Court of Catawba County.
If you want a judge who has been in District Court day in and day out for the past decade—someone who truly understands the work, the people, and the purpose of our courts—I am your choice.
If elected, I will take the same oath as every judge in North Carolina—an oath that demands fairness, integrity, and impartial justice. While my personal experiences shape who I am, my political beliefs have no place in the courtroom. Every decision I make as a judge will be guided by the law, the facts, and a commitment to equal justice for all.
District Court encompasses a wide range of subject matter. I bring years of experience in every area except Family Law. While I do not currently practice Family Law, I’ve handled many cases that involved family law issues, so the laws are familiar to me.
In criminal and treatment courts, I have experience on both sides of the courtroom. As a prosecutor, I trained numerous prosecutors to handle these courts, giving me understanding of both the law and courtroom practice.
I regularly handle Child Support Enforcement, Domestic Violence Protective Orders, Involuntary Commitment and Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency(DSS) court, giving me current, practical experience in the cases most directly impacting families and vulnerable individuals.
All courts in North Carolina are now paperless, and while our district was one of the last to transition, the e-courts system has significantly changed how District Court operates. I am the only candidate who has practiced in District Court within the last decade, and the only candidate with direct, hands-on experience using this system in District Court. I am also the only candidate eligible to serve a full term in this seat, due to North Carolina’s mandatory judicial retirement age.
Outside of the courtroom and running my law firm, I am a wife and a mom to two young boys. My family and I are members of St. James Lutheran Church. We enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and playing and watching sports. My husband and I share a love of cooking and hosting family and friends.
We are also proud supporters of our veterans. Both my husband and I come from families with a long history of service to our great nation, and we deeply value the sacrifices made by those who serve.
Position/philosophy statement
As a Judge there are 3 core principles that I follow. 1. I follow my Christian beliefs as a Judge. 2. I follow and respect the US Constitution as a Judge. 3. I believe that convicted criminals should receive appropriate punishment.
Current Occupation
Retired Superior Court Judge
I have been a lawyer since I graduated from Wake Forest Law School in 1983. I have served as an Assistant DA from 1983-1988. I have served as a lawyer in private practice from 1988-1994. I have served as a District Court Judge from 1994-2014. I have served as a Superior Court Judge from 2014-2024. I currently serve as Emergency Superior Court Judge after being appointed by Governor Roy Cooper. I also currently serve as a Certified Superior Court Mediator. I have presided over cases from First Degree Murder to traffic tickets. I am married to Kimberly T. Hayes since 1991 and we have 2 happy and successful adult children. I serve on numerous civic boards and organizations and am a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church.
I think the Republican Party is the party of the most conservative and Constitutional Judges. However, I do NOT make any judicial decisions based on politics. I have run for Judge in NC in partisan and non-partisan elections.
While I was a District Court Judge from 1994-2014 I was certified by the state of NC as a Family Law and Juvenile Judge. I heard and presided over thousands of those type of cases. Nearly 100 percent of my trials were upheld on appeal to the NC Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.
I would like to continue my lifelong service to the citizens of Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties as a District Court Judge. I humbly ask for your vote on March 3, 2026 in the Republican Primary. There is no candidate in the November election, so the Republican primary will decide the election.
