State of North Carolina secondary Archives: on Crime
Holly Grange:
Second Chance Act: expunge misdemeanors & under-age crimes
Summary by Dummit-Fradin Law (6/25/20): Before, only one non-violent, non-DWI misdemeanor conviction could be expunged if at least 5 years have passed. The Second Chance Act will allow for more than one non-violent misdemeanor conviction
to be expunged after 7 years, and expands the list of offenses eligible for expungements for convictions that occurred when a Defendant was under 18 years old.Summary by NC Justice Center:Nearly 1 in 4 North Carolinians has a criminal
record; this landmark piece of bipartisan legislation provides clean slate relief for thousands of people with criminal records to have their records expunged. NC's "revolving door" criminal justice system has devastated communities around the state,
and disproportionately impacts Black communities and other people of color.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 119-0-1 on Jun/10/20; State Rep. Holly Grange voted YES; passed Senate 47-0-3 on Jun/16/20; signed by Gov. Cooper on Jun/25/20.
Source: NC Justice Center on North Carolina voting records S561
Jun 10, 2020
Jeff Jackson:
Second Chance Act: expunge misdemeanors & under-age crimes
Summary by Dummit-Fradin Law (6/25/20): Before, only one non-violent, non-DWI misdemeanor conviction could be expunged if at least 5 years have passed. The Second Chance Act will allow for more than one non-violent misdemeanor conviction
to be expunged after 7 years, and expands the list of offenses eligible for expungements for convictions that occurred when a Defendant was under 18 years old.Summary by NC Justice Center:Nearly 1 in 4 North Carolinians has a criminal
record; this landmark piece of bipartisan legislation provides clean slate relief for thousands of people with criminal records to have their records expunged. NC's "revolving door" criminal justice system has devastated communities around the state,
and disproportionately impacts Black communities & other people of color.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 119-0-1 on Jun/10/20; passed Senate 47-0-3 on Jun/16/20; Sen. Nickel co-sponsored & voted YES; signed by Gov. Cooper on Jun/25/20.
Source: NC Justice Center on North Carolina voting records S561
Jun 16, 2020
Jeff Jackson:
Second Chance Act: expunge misdemeanors & under-age crimes
Summary by Dummit-Fradin Law (6/25/20): Before, only one non-violent, non-DWI misdemeanor conviction could be expunged if at least 5 years have passed. The Second Chance Act will allow for more than one non-violent misdemeanor conviction
to be expunged after 7 years, and expands the list of offenses eligible for expungements for convictions that occurred when a Defendant was under 18 years old.Summary by NC Justice Center:Nearly 1 in 4 North Carolinians has a criminal
record; this landmark piece of bipartisan legislation provides clean slate relief for thousands of people with criminal records to have their records expunged. NC's "revolving door" criminal justice system has devastated communities around the state,
and disproportionately impacts Black communities and other people of color.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 119-0-1 on Jun/10/20; passed Senate 47-0-3 on Jun/16/20; State Sen. Jeff Jackson voted YES; signed by Gov. Cooper on Jun/25/20.
Source: NC Justice Center on North Carolina voting records S561
Jun 16, 2020
Valerie Foushee:
Second Chance Act: expunge misdemeanors & under-age crimes
Summary by Dummit-Fradin Law (6/25/20): Before, only one non-violent, non-DWI misdemeanor conviction could be expunged if at least 5 years have passed. The Second Chance Act will allow for more than one non-violent misdemeanor conviction
to be expunged after 7 years, and expands the list of offenses eligible for expungements for convictions that occurred when a Defendant was under 18 years old.Summary by NC Justice Center:Nearly 1 in 4 North Carolinians has a criminal
record; this landmark piece of bipartisan legislation provides clean slate relief for thousands of people with criminal records to have their records expunged. NC's "revolving door" criminal justice system has devastated communities around the state,
and disproportionately impacts Black communities and other people of color.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 119-0-1 on Jun/10/20; passed Senate 47-0-3 on Jun/16/20; State Sen. Foushee voted YES; signed by Gov. Cooper on Jun/25/20.
Source: NC Justice Center on North Carolina voting records S561
Jun 16, 2020
Don Davis:
Second Chance Act: expunge misdemeanors & under-age crimes
Summary by Dummit-Fradin Law (6/25/20): Before, only one non-violent, non-DWI misdemeanor conviction could be expunged if at least 5 years have passed. The Second Chance Act will allow for more than one non-violent misdemeanor conviction
to be expunged after 7 years, and expands the list of offenses eligible for expungements for convictions that occurred when a Defendant was under 18 years old.Summary by NC Justice Center:Nearly 1 in 4 North Carolinians has a criminal
record; this landmark piece of bipartisan legislation provides clean slate relief for thousands of people with criminal records to have their records expunged. NC's "revolving door" criminal justice system has devastated communities around the state,
and disproportionately impacts Black communities and other people of color.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 119-0-1 on Jun/10/20; passed Senate 47-0-3 on Jun/16/20; State Sen. Don Davis voted YES; signed by Gov. Cooper on Jun/25/20.
Source: NC Justice Center on North Carolina voting records S561
Jun 16, 2020
Chuck Edwards:
Second Chance Act: expunge misdemeanors & under-age crimes
Summary by Dummit-Fradin Law (6/25/20): Before, only one non-violent, non-DWI misdemeanor conviction could be expunged if at least 5 years have passed. The Second Chance Act will allow for more than one non-violent misdemeanor conviction
to be expunged after 7 years, and expands the list of offenses eligible for expungements for convictions that occurred when a Defendant was under 18 years old.Summary by NC Justice Center:Nearly 1 in 4 North Carolinians has a criminal
record; this landmark piece of bipartisan legislation provides clean slate relief for thousands of people with criminal records to have their records expunged. NC's "revolving door" criminal justice system has devastated communities around the state,
and disproportionately impacts Black communities and other people of color.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 119-0-1 on Jun/10/20; passed Senate 47-0-3 on Jun/16/20; State Sen. Chuck Edwards voted YES; signed by Gov. Cooper on Jun/25/20.
Source: NC Justice Center on North Carolina voting records S561
Jun 16, 2020
Roy Cooper:
Second Chance Act: expunge misdemeanors & under-age crimes
Summary by Dummit-Fradin Law (6/25/20): Before, only one non-violent, non-DWI misdemeanor conviction could be expunged if at least 5 years have passed. The Second Chance Act will allow for more than one non-violent misdemeanor conviction
to be expunged after 7 years, and expands the list of offenses eligible for expungements for convictions that occurred when a Defendant was under 18 years old.Summary by NC Justice Center:Nearly 1 in 4 North Carolinians has a criminal
record; this landmark piece of bipartisan legislation provides clean slate relief for thousands of people with criminal records to have their records expunged. NC's "revolving door" criminal justice system has devastated communities around the state,
and disproportionately impacts Black communities and other people of color.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 119-0-1 on Jun/10/20; passed Senate 47-0-3 on Jun/16/20; signed by Gov. Cooper on Jun/25/20.
Source: NC Justice Center on North Carolina voting records S561
Jun 25, 2020
Valerie Foushee:
Shield police death investigation records from public
Legislative Summary: SB 168: An act making technical, conforming, and other modifications to laws pertaining to the Department of Health and Human Services.Veto Message: SB 168 includes a provision to change the handling
of public records by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which could have the unintended consequence of limiting transparency in death investigations.
Analysis by WBTV-3: Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 168 which closed a loophole that
makes law enforcement records public if they are in the possession of the medical examiner. Protesters have expressed concerns that limiting public access to the death records could hide actions that happen in police custody. Some have said the lack of
transparency would only serve to increase police distrust.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 43-0-7, Roll Call #877 on Jun/26/20; State Sen. Valerie Foushee voted YES; Passed House 109-1-0 on Jun/25/20; Vetoed by Gov. Cooper on Jul/6/20.
Source: WBTV-3 on North Carolina legislative voting record SB 168
Jun 26, 2020
Don Davis:
Shield police death investigation records from public
Legislative Summary: SB 168: An act making technical, conforming, and other modifications to laws pertaining to the Department of Health and Human Services.Veto Message: SB 168 includes a provision to change the handling
of public records by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which could have the unintended consequence of limiting transparency in death investigations.
Analysis by WBTV-3: Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 168 which closed a loophole that
makes law enforcement records public if they are in the possession of the medical examiner. Protesters have expressed concerns that limiting public access to the death records could hide actions that happen in police custody. Some have said the lack of
transparency would only serve to increase police distrust.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 43-0-7, Roll Call #877 on Jun/26/20; State Sen. Don Davis voted YES; Passed House 109-1-0 on Jun/25/20; Vetoed by Gov. Cooper on Jul/6/20.
Source: WBTV-3 on North Carolina legislative voting record SB 168
Jun 26, 2020
Chuck Edwards:
Shield police death investigation records from public
Legislative Summary: SB 168: An act making technical, conforming, and other modifications to laws pertaining to the Department of Health and Human Services.Veto Message: SB 168 includes a provision to change the handling
of public records by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which could have the unintended consequence of limiting transparency in death investigations.
Analysis by WBTV-3: Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 168 which closed a loophole that
makes law enforcement records public if they are in the possession of the medical examiner. Protesters have expressed concerns that limiting public access to the death records could hide actions that happen in police custody. Some have said the lack of
transparency would only serve to increase police distrust.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 43-0-7, Roll Call #877 on Jun/26/20; State Sen. Chuck Edwards voted YES; Passed House 109-1-0 on Jun/25/20; Vetoed by Gov. Cooper on Jul/6/20.
Source: WBTV-3 on North Carolina legislative voting record SB 168
Jun 26, 2020
Al Pisano:
No opinion on crime & punishment
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: Question not specific enough
Source: OnTheIssues 2020 interview on North Carolina Governor race
Apr 30, 2020
Cal Cunningham:
End mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent offenders
Cal is committed to criminal justice reform. Cal believes we should revisit mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent offenders. Cal is in favor of refocusing efforts on preventing violent crime instead of locking up people who,
more than anything, need mental health or addiction treatment. We should also work to reduce recidivism by investing in programs that give people who have paid their debt to society the opportunity to re-enter their communities with dignity.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate campaign website CalForNC.com
Jun 10, 2020
Cheri Beasley:
Bail reform shows promising results in pilot programs
Tearful at times, Beasley gave a short address from the court chambers, calling for the state to listen to protesters decrying police violence and understand the deep roots of their frustration. "We must do better," she said. "We must be better.
Too many people believe that there are two kinds of justice. In our courts, African-Americans are more harshly treated, more severely punished and more likely to be presumed guilty.""These protests highlight the despair and injustice that continue to
plague black communities," she said, becoming emotional when she mentioned her twin sons. "Racism and prejudice have remained stubbornly fixed and resistant to change." Beasley said bail reform shows promising results in the eight counties where pilot
programs are being tried. Nationally, advocates for change are stressing that too many people are held for cash bail for nonviolent crimes and are freed before trial only based on their ability to pay.
Source: The Raleigh News-Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Jun 2, 2021
Chris Rey:
Started workforce development program for released prisoners
Since his election as Spring Lake's youngest ever mayor, the town has been noted for dramatic change for the better.
Chris expanded town services to include new offices for a police substation, business incubator, and workforce development program for recently released prisoners.
Source: 2016 North Carolina Senate campaign website ChrisRey.com
Sep 22, 2015
Dan Forest:
Restore law and order, violent criminals roam free
The government's first priority should be the safety and security of the people. We must restore law and order if we are to protect our civilized society.
When a handful of sheriffs allow violent criminals to roam free in our state, purely for political reasons, the entire state suffers.
Source: News & Observer on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2020
Deborah Ross:
Allow statistical race evidence in death penalty cases
SB 416 Death Penalty Discrimination
Veto Override Passed House (72 - 48); Rep. Deborah Ross voted Nay.Highlights: - Specifies that the use of statistical evidence alone is insufficient to establish that race was a significant factor in seeking
or imposing the death penalty
- Limits statistical evidence to statistics derived from the county or prosecutorial district where the defendant was sentenced, whereas existing law authorizes the use of
statistical evidence from the judicial division and the state in addition to the county and prosecutorial district
- Limits the time from which evidence may be used to find that race was a significant factor in seeking or imposing
the death penalty to 10 years before the offense was committed and 2 years after a sentence is imposed, whereas existing law does not provide a time limit
Source: VoteSmart synopsis: 2011-2012 North Carolina voting records
Jul 2, 2012
Deborah Ross:
No incarceration for nonviolent misdemeanors
Q: On Prisons: Switch money from prisons to preventive measures like education and social services?Burr: Unknown.
Did vote for easing mandatory minimum sentencing.
Ross: Increase community policing & no incarceration for nonviolent misdemeanors.
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 North Carolina Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Erica Smith:
No money bonds for misdemeanors, low lever felonies
No money bonds for misdemeanors and low level felonies in advancing the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Sentence restructuring for non-violent, low level drug offenders.
Strengthening laws against human trafficking, opioid trafficking and prescription controls.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
Erica Smith:
Focus on domestic terrorism, allow capital punishment
In my first 100 days I commit to file: Resources and public safety programs for increasing manpower, surveillance/intelligence on domestic terrorism; and
Criminal justice reforms as it relates to prosecution and sentencing of domestic terrorists and serial killers. This reform should ensure that punishment is commensurate with the crime by including capital punishment in sentencing discussions.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
Greg Murphy:
Constitutional amendment to strengthen victims' rights
[Greg Murphy co-sponsored the bill called] Strengthening Victims' Rights (H551/S595). The proposed Bill would place a constitutional amendment on the
November 2018 ballot to expand the rights of victims. House Bill 551 would guarantee victims the following rights:- To be treated with dignity and respect.
-
Reasonable, accurate, and timely notice, upon request.
- To be present at any proceeding.
- To be reasonably heard at certain proceedings.
-
Restitution in a reasonably timely manner.
- Information, upon request.
- To reasonably confer with the prosecutor.
Source: North Carolina legislative voting record for H.551/S.595
Jun 27, 2018
Holly Grange:
Let ex-cons to apply for certain jobs without disclosure
I introduced legislation that would enable those convicted and served their sentences to be able to apply for certain jobs in State government without having to initially disclose their criminal history on the application.
Applicants would be given the opportunity to explain their circumstances in the hiring process. This would reduce recidivism by those who have a criminal record who only want to earn a living and support their families.
Source: Port City Daily on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2016
Holly Grange:
Let ex-cons to apply for certain jobs without disclosure
I introduced legislation that would enable those convicted and served their sentences to be able to apply for certain jobs in State government without having to initially disclose their criminal history on the application.
Applicants would be given the opportunity to explain their circumstances in the hiring process. This would reduce recidivism by those who have a criminal record who only want to earn a living and support their families.
Source: Port City Daily on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Oct 9, 2016
Ken Spaulding:
Retry police officer who shot to death a young black man
Spaulding has been calling out Roy Cooper on a number of issues, especially the attorney general's decision not to retry a Charlotte police officer who shot to death a young black man, after a jury deadlocked 8-4 for acquittal. "I am not looking
for anyone, whether black or white, to vote for me because I'm African-American," he said. "I'm looking for North Carolinians to vote for me because I am the best qualified and capable candidate, who can help pull this state back together."
Source: News-Observer on 2016 North Carolina gubernatorial race
Dec 3, 2015
Mark Walker:
Support law enforcement, criminal justice reform
Mark Walker Has Championed:- Supporting Law Enforcement and the Second Amendment
-
Second Chances and Criminal Justice Reform
Source: 2022 North Carolina Senate campaign website Walker4NC.com
Dec 9, 2020
Pat McCrory:
No sanctuary cities, support police, election security
American Safety- Preventing Sanctuary Cities
-
Supporting Our Police
- Increasing Election Security
Source: 2022 North Carolina Senate campaign website PatMcCrory.com
Apr 22, 2021
Pat McCrory:
Disturbing thing about protests is anarchists in the crowd
[On BLM protests]: "The only thing that disturbs me about the protests right now is you have anarchists involved in these crowds. It doesn't take many people to cause chaos and those are the people we have to be tough with, and then show respect to
the protesters. But the anarchists don't give a damn. Their goal is to destroy society, and it doesn't take many to do that."
Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Jun 4, 2020
Pat McCrory:
We're always going to have some imperfect police officers
[On George Floyd killing]: "We're an imperfect nation, just like we're imperfect human beings. We're always going to have some imperfect police officers. We had them when I was mayor. We had them when I was governor, and we're going to have them
for future governors and future presidents. But we want to reduce that risk. But we have to understand the reality is each of us have these fallacies--physical, mental, biases ... You work on the imperfections, but you'll never resolve them."
Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Jun 4, 2020
Roy Cooper:
Created task force on racial equity in criminal justice
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Roy Cooper: Yes. Created task force on racial equity in criminal justice and a new center to track statistics and "improve training related to the use of force."
Dan Forest: No. "I will always DEFEND the police." "Our police officers need to be able to do their jobs."
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 North Carolina Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Ted Budd:
That whole defund the police thing is crazy
[Campaign announcement]: "I believe in freedom, capitalism and putting America first. And that whole defund the police thing is crazy," the three-term congressman says in a campaign launch video that was shared first with Fox News.
Budd emphasized that "I'm 100% pro-life and I even think that elections should be fair and secure. I'm a political outsider who can't be bought by the swamp, and I don't give a rip about their Washington games."
Source: Fox News on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Apr 28, 2021
Thom Tillis:
Limit use of racial statistics in death penalty cases
- Tillis voted YEA on July 2, 2012 Veto Override on SB 416 (Override Passed House, 72-48)
- Tillis voted YEA on June 13 on passage of SB 416: Death Penalty Discrimination Bill (bill passed House, 73-47)
- Vote to limit the use of statistical
evidence to establish that racial discrimination was a significant factor in the decision to seek or impose the death penalty.
- Specifies that the use of statistical evidence alone is insufficient to establish that race was a significant factor in
seeking or imposing the death penalty.
- Limits statistical evidence to statistics derived from the county or prosecutorial district where the defendant was sentenced, whereas existing law authorizes state=level statistics.
- Limits the time from which
evidence may be used to find that race was a significant factor in seeking or imposing the death penalty to 10 years before the offense was committed and 2 years after a sentence is imposed, whereas existing law does not provide a time limit.
Source: North Carolina House voting records (Votesmart synopses)
Jul 2, 2012
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023