Criminal Justice

Current Challenge:

Vance County faces crime costs of $519 per resident annually, with violent crime rates well above state averages. The district needs comprehensive reform addressing both accountability and community restoration.

Policy Solutions:

1. Advance the “Restoration and Reconciliation Act” building on recent NC criminal justice reforms (SB 300).
2. Support expansion of problem-solving courts, including drug courts and mental health courts.
3. Advocate for eliminating probation supervision fees and community service fees (currently pending in SB 529).
4. Create faith-based reentry programs partnering churches with formerly incarcerated individuals, providing mentorship, job placement, and housing assistance.
5. Support police-community partnerships while maintaining accountability through civilian oversight.
6. Champion debt-based driver’s license reform (HB 722) and eliminate barriers to employment from unpaid court debt (HB 980).