Name as it appears on the ballot: Keith Gregory
Campaign website: judgekeithgregory.com
Phone number: 919-829-1195
Email: judgekeithgregory2018@gmail.com
Years lived in the district: Lived in Cary over 20 years
1. What do you believe are the three most important qualities a judge must have to be effective? Are there any particular judges, either on the state or federal level, who you believe exemplify these qualities?
I believe that judges must be experienced, fair, and impartial.
I believe Justice Cheri Beasley and Chief Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway exemplify these qualities.
2. What do you believe qualifies you to serve as a judge?
I brought 15 years of trial experience as a criminal defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender, and Assistant District Attorney to the Wake County District Court bench when I was appointed and elected in 2010. After serving 8 years presiding over criminal and civil court as a District Court Judge, I was appointed by Governor Cooper to serve on the Superior Court bench.
3. In a sentence, how would you define your judicial philosophy?
In making any decision, a judge should always be fair and impartial to both sides.
4. How do you define yourself politically? How do your political beliefs affect your judicial approach?
I am a registered Democrat, and will appear on the ballot as such, but I regret that judicial races have become partisan. I don’t allow my political beliefs to affect my judicial approach, and my apolitical approach to the administration of justice has earned praise and endorsements from both sides of the political aisle. I’m proud to have earned the support of individuals from all parties, as well as unaffiliated voters.
5. If you are challenging an incumbent, what decisions has the incumbent made that you most disagree with? If you are an incumbent, what in your record and experience do you believe merits another term?
My record on the bench indicates that I have no bias nor partiality towards any litigant.
6. On any given day, there are North Carolina resident in jail are not because they’ve been convicted of a crime but because they cannot afford their bail. How would you determine whether pretrial incarceration is appropriate? Do you support having a bail schedule with guidelines for how judges should make bail determinations? Why or why not?
The purpose of bond is two-fold: 1) to ensure the appearance of the defendant and 2) to protect the public. I believe each case is different therefore bond should be determined by the two factors above and the facts that dictate.
7. What changes to the cash bail system, if any, do you support? Why? If you don't support any changes, please explain why you think the current system is successful.
I don’t believe as a sitting Superior Court Judge that I should comment, for or against, our cash bail system.
8. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, black people in North Carolina are incarcerated at six times the rate of white people, despite the state being majority white. What responsibility do you think judges hold in addressing racial disparities in our criminal justice system, and what would you do to address these inequities?
My job will always be to be fair and impartial to all. As an African-American male I recognize the problem of mass incarceration of black men imposes. Racial disparities exist in our criminal justice system however I believe a judge must be fair and impartial regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or party affiliation.
9. In some cases, individuals who fail to appear in court for traffic violations are arrested and placed in jail, even if there is an arguably valid reason for the failure to appear. These arrests remain on the person’s record. Do you believe judges should ever overlook failures to appear for things like traffic violations? If so, in what circumstances? If not, why not?
I believe Judges should follow the law.
10. Do you support restorative justice practices prior to sentencing? If so, please explain what sort of practices you support and in what types of cases? Who should be eligible?
If Diversion Programs are available I believe those that are eligible should be allowed to enroll in such programs.
11. How do you believe low-level drug cases should be handled?
I believe every case should be presided over the same way: fairly and impartially.
12. In North Carolina, court fees have increased 400 percent over the past twenty years, and nonpayment may be punished with more fees, license revocation, or jail time. Do you believe the justice system in North Carolina criminalizes poverty? If not, please explain. If yes, what would you do as a judge to mitigate that?
As a judge, I am not allowed to comment on a question of this nature.
