NC District Court 10 E, Seat 3: Crystal Grimes

Name as it appears on the ballot: Crystal Grimes

Age: 45 

Party affiliation: Democrat 

Campaign website: crystalgrimesforjudge.com 

Occupation & employer: Assistant Public Defender & Wake County Public Defender’s Office 

1) Please tell us what in your record as a public official or private citizen demonstrates your ability to be effective, fair, and impartial on the bench? Please be specific. What do you believe qualifies you to serve as a district court judge? 

I have dedicated my entire legal career to public service. Since September 2007, I have worked in the Wake County Public Defender’s Office as an Assistant Public Defender. Initially, I handled misdemeanors encompassing a range of charges from traffic violations to assaults. Over time, I transitioned to managing low-level felony cases, and now, my caseload predominantly comprises mid to high-level felony cases tried in Superior Court. 

During my tenure, I have adeptly negotiated pleas, filed motions, and tried cases for a variety of felony charges, including the gravest offense of first-degree murder. I possess extensive experience in both district and superior court, accompanied by a profound understanding of case law and North Carolina General Statutes. My familiarity with courtroom procedures and practices is robust. I have upheld integrity and worked hard to earn the respect of colleagues, coworkers, courtroom personnel, clerks, judges, and even the district attorneys prosecuting the clients I represent. 

My family instilled a strong work ethic in me, which resonates in every aspect of my work. My representation extends beyond the courtroom. I consistently strive to go above and beyond for my clients. I maintain communication with their family members to keep them informed about the status of their loved one’s case. I diligently file expunction motions to assist clients getting dismissed charges removed from their record and motions for clients’ to get their property back post-case resolution. I assist clients in getting permission to travel during pretrial release or probation and offer support for clients with mental health and addiction-related needs. 

My focus has always been to ethically obtain the best possible outcome for them. Regardless of the severity or nature of their situation, I approach each client and their circumstances with compassion and dignity. What I’ve learned is that my clients simply seek to be heard and believe in my genuine care for them, and what happens to them. They deserve to know that I am tirelessly working to put them in the best possible position given the circumstances they face. They are not just a number or a case; they are someone’s child, parent, or loved one. What happens to their case not only affects them but their entire family. Understanding this helps me be an advocate that they can trust and rely on.

I will extend that same level of integrity to the bench as a judge. 

2) How do you define yourself politically? How does that impact your judicial approach? 

I have always identified as a democrat. As a judge, one must apply the law and treat everyone fairly and impartially regardless of their own political affiliation. I have a passion for justice and want to ensure justice is always being sought from the bench. I intend to bring a sense of compassion, fairness, impartiality and integrity to the bench in the pursuit of justice for all the residents of Wake County. 

3) What do you believe are the three most important qualities a judge must have to be an effective jurist? 

1) Judicial Discretion. When handling matters and ruling on a case a judge often has a large amount of judicial discretion in the outcome of a case. Recognizing this and making a decision and standing by that decision are imperative for a judge to be effective in their role. 

2) Compassion & Dignity. Treating all parties before the court as individuals despite their circumstances that have put them before the court. 

3) Listening. Everyone before the court deserves to be heard and feel heard. I would give every party an opportunity to be heard and carefully and intently listen to what they are presenting before I make a ruling. 

4) In a sentence, how would you define your judicial philosophy? 

A judge must fairly and equitably apply the law to all parties while treating everyone with dignity and compassion. 

5) Black North Carolinians are incarcerated at six times the rate of whites. How do you see your responsibility as a judge in addressing racial inequity in the justice system? 

Firstly, I think recognizing this is the first step. In my work as a public defender I have clearly seen this disparity. Also, I recognize that it’s not just a racial issue but also an issue of poverty. From my perspective having represented thousands of indigent clients, I would say the biggest obstacles to justice in our community is lack of resources. 

Often the resources clients are lacking is money. Obviously if they are assigned to have a public defender, they don’t have resources to retain private counsel. Further, a client who does not have the money to pay back or pay down restitution in a case may end up with a felony and be required to pay the money back while on probation or may even receive an active prison sentence. Whereas another criminal defendant who can afford to pay back the restitution may end up with a misdemeanor or a dismissal of their case all together.

Another area where money comes into play is clients not being able to post a bond. The longer they stay in jail the more likely they will end up accepting a plea for a case they otherwise may have taken to trial if they had been out of custody. 

In terms of the entire justice system there is an overall lack of resources and funding for alternative sentencing solutions which often reduces viable options for clients to engage in meaningful treatment and rehabilitation outside of an active sentence. 

As a judge, one must recognize the disparity and do their best to address it. Whether that be remitting fees (when allowable under the law), ordering sentencing options that don’t always encompass active punishments (when allowable under the law), or holding other agencies accountable when constitutional violations are found to have occurred. 

6) Do you believe the cash bail system is in need of reform? What changes do you believe are necessary to ensure those accused of crimes are not incarcerated due to their inability to afford bond? What factors do you consider when determining the bond amount? 

While obviously there are cases that warrant a cash bond or even no bond. There are also more cases where a low bond, pretrial release or an unsecured bond are warranted. I think this determination must be made on a case-by-case basis based on the nature of the charges. The purpose of bond is to protect the public and ensure the defendant’s appearance in court. However, a judge should consider the defendant’s ability to pay. For some individuals a relatively low bond of $10,000 might as well be a million dollars. 

As a public defender, I am often present at clients’ first appearance hearings to advocate for the least restrictive pretrial release conditions possible. Utilizing pretrial release, electronic monitoring, house arrest, and curfews are ways to protect the public and ensure the defendants’ appearance in court without requiring high monetary bonds. 

As a public defender, I have also seen that if a client remains in jail based on a bond they can’t post they are more likely to plead guilty to charges they would have otherwise went to trial on if they were out of custody. Someone’s ability to post or not post a bond should not be the reason they plead guilty or not guilty. 

7) Do you support restorative justice practices prior to sentencing? If so, how would you seek to implement those practices in your capacity as a judge? Which types of cases do you think should be eligible? 

We need to have more resources available to give options other than incarceration. While our court system does have programs and diversions for first offenders there is a gap in resources for repeat offenders. These are usually individuals suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues that find themselves in the revolving pattern of incarceration. While we do have drug treatment court programs and mental health

diversion they are underfunded and not utilized enough. In a lot of these programs, the costs of treatment still fall on the individual who can’t afford it even if they want the treatment. Giving more options and access to free treatment makes it more accessible and a viable option over incarceration. 

Specifically as it relates to district court, I believe alternative sentencing solutions should be utilized for non-violent criminal charges where the defendant has a desire to engage and better themselves. 

As I mentioned previously, judges have a great deal of discretion. When a case is being plead open, meaning there is no plea arraignment between the State and the Defendant, the Judge makes the determination what happens. It is in these circumstances, that judges should be thinking out of the box and when appropriate consider ways to prevent recidivism and address the issues that placed the individual before them in the court system. 

8) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes, such as low-level drug offenses? Why or why not? 

When it comes to sentencing, a judge must follow certain sentencing guidelines. Some individuals may fall into a category that requires an active sentence because of their high record level even though they plead guilty to a low-level felony drug offense. As a judge, you are bound by the law. However, in situations where probation is a sentencing option this is where judicial discretion is important. 

I do see a cultural shift in treatment of personal use marijuana, in some counties, not Wake County, refusal to prosecute those cases despite marijuana being illegal in North Carolina. 

9) Some district courts are implementing misdemeanor diversion programs for young and/or first-time offenders. Do you believe programs like these are effective? 

I first hand have seen success stories of individuals who have completed diversions. Whether they be misdemeanor, felony, drug or mental health diversions. They are absolutely effective. 

10) In many cases, voters know very little about the judges they are electing. Tell us something about yourself that our readers may be surprised to learn. 

I am a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation.

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