Name: Sherita Walton
Age: 48
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: waltonforwake.com
Occupation and employer: Senior Associate City Attorney, City of Raleigh
1. What do you believe are the most important issues facing the District Attorney’s Office? What are your top three priorities in addressing these issues?
The most important issue facing the Wake County District Attorney’s Office is protecting public safety in a fast-growing, evolving, and diverse community while building public trust in a justice system in which the District Attorney plays a critical role. Rapid growth brings increased demand on limited resources, more complex and serious cases, and communities with differing experiences and expectations of the justice system. Public safety and public trust are inseparable—when trust is lacking, the system cannot function effectively, and our State’s promise of justice for all falls short.
My top three priorities to address this important issue are:
Promoting Public Safety. Public safety begins with a focus on violent crime. I will prioritize the prosecution of violent offenses, including through the creation of a dedicated Violent Crime Unit, while deprioritizing nonviolent offenses that do not threaten community safety. This allows the Office to deploy resources where they are needed most, avoid unnecessary system involvement, and ensure prosecutorial decisions are guided by safety, fairness, and accountability.
Pursuing Effective Criminal Justice Reform. Reform must be practical, evidence-based, and responsive to evolving community needs. Effective reform includes expanding diversion and treatment-based alternatives that address mental health needs, substance abuse, and youth intervention have demonstrated success in promoting accountability, reducing recidivism, and creating lasting positive outcomes that enhance long-term public safety. Reform requires a willingness to reassess practices that undermine confidence in the system.
Strengthening and Supporting the Office. A values-driven and well-resourced DA’s Office is essential to public safety and public trust. I will invest in training, professional development, and clear, consistent policies to support Assistant District Attorneys and staff. I also plan to establish community advisory councils and designated DA-law enforcement liaisons to improve communication, strengthen partnerships, and ensure the Office remains accountable and responsive to the communities it serves.
2. What in your record as a public official or other experience demonstrates your ability to be an effective district attorney? This might include career or community service; be specific about its relevance to this office.
I bring more than 20 years of legal experience across both the public and private sectors that has afforded me the opportunity to view the criminal justice system through different lenses. I have served as a prosecutor, a defense attorney, and as a legal advisor to law enforcement—experience that is directly relevant to leading a forward-focused District Attorney’s Office committed to serving the diverse needs of many.
For more than a decade, I prosecuted cases in two large, complex jurisdictions (Wake County and Manhattan), handling matters ranging from traffic violations to homicides. This breadth of experience has given me a clear understanding of how different offices operate, what practices effectively promote public safety, and where change is necessary. That unique perspective allows me to assess what is working well in the Wake County DA’s Office and where improvements are needed to better serve the community.
I am also the only candidate who has served as a legal advisor to a law enforcement agency. The District Attorney serves as the People’s Attorney and the county’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer. In my current role as a legal advisor to the Raleigh Police Department, I have guided law enforcement leaders and officers through complex legal challenges, critical incidents, and moments of crisis, while also working to strengthen accountability and rebuild trust between police and the communities they serve. I sought out this role after events in 2020, when trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve was especially strained. My experience advising on constitutional policing, charging decisions, and investigations informs how justice is carried out not only in the courtroom but also on the street and strengthens partnerships grounded in accountability and public safety.
Earlier in my career, I practiced as a defense attorney in a private law firm, which gave me a deep appreciation for the constitutional rights of defendants and the importance of fairness in prosecutorial decision-making. That experience continues to ground me, shape my approach to justice, and commitment to act with unwavering integrity and equity.
As a first-generation college graduate and lawyer in my family, I understand how systems can feel inaccessible and intimidating to people without inherited roadmaps. That perspective matters because the District Attorney’s decisions carry life-altering consequences and must be grounded in fairness, humility, and awareness of how power is experienced by the public. It informs how I approach discretion, communication, and accountability, and it strengthens my commitment to ensuring the justice system works for everyone, not just those who know how to navigate it. As a person of color, I also recognize the importance of representation in positions of authority within the justice system. If elected, I would be the first African American to serve as Wake County’s District Attorney. Representation matters not as symbolism, but because it brings a broader perspective to an office that must serve a diverse community.
Being an effective District Attorney requires more than trial experience—it requires leadership, sound judgment, broad perspective, and the ability to meet the judicial needs of our growing community through difficult moments. My experience demonstrates that I am prepared to lead the Office, support its staff, and ensure that prosecutorial decisions and policies serve both public safety and public trust.
3. Violent crime rates in Wake County are below the state average, but gun violence—particularly among young people—remains a concern. What do you believe the DA’s Office’s role is in reducing violence, including juvenile crimes? If you’re an incumbent, how have you worked to achieve that? If you’re a challenger, what would you do if elected?
The District Attorney’s Office plays a critical role in reducing violence by focusing its resources on the individuals and conduct that pose the greatest risk to public safety, while also working to prevent future harm, especially among young people. While Wake County’s overall violent crime rate is below the state average, gun violence, particularly involving youth, is a serious concern that demands a focused and balanced response.
As DA, I would take a direct approach to violent crime. That starts with accountability for serious violent offenses. I will establish a dedicated Violent Crime Unit within the DA’s Office to ensure that cases stemming from gun violence and repeat violent offenders are handled promptly, consistently, equitably, and by experienced prosecutors. A specialized unit strengthens coordination with law enforcement, expands opportunities for multidisciplinary responses, improves case preparation, and reduces disparities in case outcomes.
Reducing violence—especially juvenile violence—requires intervention before young people become entrenched in the justice system. The survival of our youth is of the utmost importance to me. The DA’s Office must be part of prevention, not just prosecution. I will create a DA Youth Advisory Council to give young people a meaningful voice in identifying risks, gaps in services, and effective solutions. Listening to youth helps ensure policies reflect real experiences and can prevent harm before it occurs.
For juvenile cases, I will prioritize diversion, restorative practices, and services that address underlying issues such as trauma, mental health needs, and substance use—while reserving prosecution for cases where public safety requires it. Pulling young people unnecessarily deeper into the system often increases, rather than reduces, the likelihood of future violence.
Public safety will always remain a priority, and serious violent offenses, including gun violence will be addressed through the court system. Lasting reductions in violence—especially among young people—require a balanced approach that combines accountability, prevention, and trust. My approach reflects my diversity of experience in our justice system. Public safety is strongest when accountability, prevention, and public trust work together.
4. What kinds of diversion programs do you support using in the DA’s Office? What kinds of cases do you believe should be exempted from diversion programs?
I support the use of evidence-based diversion programs that focus on reducing recidivism while protecting public safety. When used appropriately, diversion allows the District Attorney’s Office to hold people accountable without unnecessarily pulling them deeper into the justice system, while also addressing the root causes of criminal behavior.
I support expanding the Office’s use of diversion programs for minor nonviolent offenses stemming from mental health needs and substance use disorders, as well as cases involving youth and first-time offenders. Programs that include treatment, counseling, education, and restorative practices paired with clear expectations and accountability can reduce repeat involvement, improve long-term outcomes, and allow prosecutors to focus resources on serious crime. In my current role advising the Raleigh Police Department, I provide legal support for the Department’s ACORNS unit, a referral-based initiative that allows law enforcement to connect individuals to services when referral is more effective than enforcement action alone. Programs like ACORNS reduce repeat law enforcement contact, stabilize individuals, and allow officers and prosecutors to focus resources on serious and violent crime.
At the same time, diversion is not appropriate for every case. Serious offenses, including acts of violence, sexual offenses, domestic violence, and offenses involving firearms and other dangerous weapons, should generally be exempt from diversion. In these matters, public safety, victim protection, and accountability must remain the priority. Even where diversion is considered, victim input and safety risk assessments should guide decisions. Diversion programs that reduce unnecessary system involvement and remove barriers to employment, housing, and treatment lower recidivism, strengthen community trust, and improve outcomes for both communities and officers.
As DA, I will ensure diversion is used thoughtfully, as a tool to enhance public safety and public trust, not as a one-size-fits-all solution, while maintaining a firm commitment to prosecuting violent crime.
5. The recently passed Iryna’s Law eliminates the option for judges to release people pretrial with only a written promise to appear in court and requires that they set secured bonds for defendants charged with violent offenses or with more than two prior convictions. Do you support these changes? Why or why not?
I support the public safety goals behind Iryna’s law, but I do not support eliminating judicial discretion through mandatory secured bonds. Protecting the community, especially from violent offenses, is essential, and there are cases where secured bonds may be appropriate. However, public safety is best served when pretrial decisions are based on individualized, evidence-based risk assessments rather than automatic outcomes tied to the type of offense or criminal history. Mandatory secured bonds risk increasing unnecessary pretrial detention for people who may not pose a significant danger or flight risk, and penalize people simply because of their economic status. Pretrial detention can have serious consequences, including loss of employment, housing, and family stability, which can actually increase the likelihood of future involvement in the justice system and undermine long-term public safety.
I will work closely with judicial officials, law enforcement, and pretrial services to promote risk-based assessments and advocate for meaningful release conditions that do not create income disparities and address appropriate non-monetary factors, including the seriousness of the offense, the weight of the evidence, risk of flight, and public safety. Justice with integrity and compassion means being tough where needed but also fair. Our pretrial release system should reflect both.
6. No one on North Carolina’s death row has been executed since 2006. Provisions of Iryna’s Law open the door for executions to resume. In what circumstances, if any, do you support using the death penalty? In what circumstances do you support life sentences and de facto life sentences?
Decisions about life and death are among the most serious responsibilities of the District Attorney, and they demand thoughtfulness, restraint, and sound judgment. While the death penalty remains lawful in North Carolina, I believe it should be considered, if at all, only in the most heinous circumstances.
Given the irreversible nature of the death penalty, I do not believe it should be used routinely. Any consideration of the death penalty must involve the most aggravated cases, where the harm is extraordinary, the evidence of guilt is overwhelming, and there is no reasonable alternative that adequately protects public safety. Even then, the decision must account for fairness, consistency, victim family impact, and the long-term integrity of the justice system.
In most cases involving the most serious crimes, life imprisonment provides accountability while avoiding the irreversible risks associated with executions. Life sentences can ensure public safety, honor the gravity of the harm, and provide certainty for victims and their families without prolonging decades of litigation that often retraumatizes those involved.
De facto life sentences, where the potential for release is unrealistic, particularly for young people or those with diminished capacity, must be approached carefully. Sentencing should allow for individualized consideration, equity and fairness, and, where appropriate, the possibility of review based on demonstrated rehabilitation and growth.
As DA, my approach would be guided by integrity, fairness, and public safety—not politics. The goal must always be to seek justice that is firm and worthy of the public’s trust.
7. Prosecutors routinely make decisions about which cases to pursue, especially with offices across the state understaffed. What kinds of cases would you prioritize for prosecution? Which would you deprioritize? Please explain your answer.
Prosecutorial discretion is one of the most powerful tools a District Attorney has, particularly because resources are not limitless. Discretionary decision-making must be guided by public safety, fairness, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I would prioritize cases that pose the greatest threat to community safety and require firm accountability.
I will prioritize the prosecution of serious and violent offenses, including gun violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, and crimes that result in significant physical harm. These cases demand focused attention, careful preparation, and a victim-centered approach to prosecution. I will also prioritize cases involving repeat violent conduct and offenses that undermine public safety and community stability.
At the same time, I will deprioritize the prosecution of low-level, nonviolent offenses that do not meaningfully advance public safety, particularly where enforcement will not address root causes or reduce recidivism. This includes minor marijuana possession and similar low-level conduct. In these cases, I support non-punitive alternatives such as diversion, substance use education, treatment-based programs, and other resolutions that avoid unnecessary convictions and reduce long-term barriers to employment, housing, and economic opportunity.
My experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and legal advisor to law enforcement has reinforced that over-enforcement of minor offenses can drain resources, strain community trust, and distract from serious crime. Thoughtful evidence-based prioritization allows prosecutors and law enforcement to focus on the cases that matter most, improves outcomes for victims, and enhances overall public safety.
8. How should the DA’s Office take immigration status into consideration?
Public safety depends on trust. It is important that all victims and witnesses, including those who are undocumented, feel safe coming forward to report crime and cooperate with law enforcement without fear that doing so will trigger immigration consequences. I will use my prosecutorial discretion to protect all victims, promote accountability, and ensure the justice system is accessible to all. This means holding people accountable when necessary, diverting cases when appropriate, and avoiding outcomes that undermine public trust or exacerbate inequities in the system. As DA, I will always strive to strike the right balance.
It is important to note that the District Attorney’s role is not to enforce federal immigration law, but to enforce state or local criminal offenses. Immigration status should not be a barrier to seeking justice, nor should it drive charging decisions in our state courts. My focus will remain on public safety, the facts of each case, and the fair administration of NC state and local law. Charging, plea, and sentencing recommendations will be made based on public safety and fairness, not immigration status. At the same time, minor offenses should not result in life-altering unintended consequences that destabilize families or deter individuals from reporting crime. Accountability and compassion are not mutually exclusive. This approach reflects my core priorities: promoting public safety, administering justice with integrity and compassion, and ensuring that our justice system works for everyone who lives in and contributes to our community.
9. How would you characterize the incumbent DA’s record on dealing with use of force by local law enforcement officers? How would you differ in handling such cases, if at all?
I respect the service District Attorney Freeman has given over more than a decade leading the DA’s Office. In use-of-force cases, charges have generally been brought in the most serious and clear-cut circumstances. I also recognize that I do not have access to all of the information considered in those decisions.
Where I will differ is in how these cases are evaluated and explained to the public. Use-of-force cases require a thorough, independent review grounded in the law and the evidence. Where the use of force results in death or serious injury, I will continue the use of state-level investigators, independent of local law enforcement. I would also consult independent use- of-force subject-matter experts to inform charging decisions based on constitutional standards, training, and best practices.
Charging decisions must apply the constitutional burden appropriate to the charging stage. The law requires probable cause, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Applying a trial-level standard too early risks limiting accountability and undermining public trust. My experience evaluating use-of-force incidents from a legal and policy standpoint informs this approach. I am well-versed in the law governing use of force and have real-time experience assessing incidents, with an understanding of officer training and decision-making.
Fairness also means ensuring that officers, like any other person under investigation, have the opportunity to provide information relevant to the charging decision. A complete review strengthens the integrity of the process and the legitimacy of the outcome—whether charges are pursued or not.
Transparency is essential regardless of the outcome. When charges are brought, the public should understand why. When they are not, the public still deserves a clear explanation of what evidence was reviewed, what legal standards applied, and how the decision was reached. In serious cases, I will also consider petitioning for the release of recordings when the law allows. My approach is how we strengthen public trust and ensure the justice system works for everyone.
10. The state legislature determines how many prosecutor positions it will fund in each DA’s Office. Wake County is the largest county in the state yet has far fewer prosecutors than the next largest county, Mecklenburg. How do you propose closing cases more efficiently given the shortage of staff? How would you advocate for more resources for the DA’s Office?
The DA’s Office is operating with staffing levels that do not reflect the county’s size and rapid growth, including complexities that come with both. Addressing this challenge requires both immediate operational changes and advocacy for additional resources. I will begin with an audit of office practices to identify what is working, what is not, and how resources can be better aligned.
To operate more efficiently, I will use data to manage the Office more effectively by tracking caseloads, time-to-disposition, and outcomes to identify bottlenecks and adjust staffing and priorities in real time. I will implement office-wide charging and early case-screening guidelines so low-level, nonviolent cases are identified and resolved through diversion or alternative dispositions when appropriate. This ensures prosecutors can focus their time on serious and violent offenses. I will strengthen early case assessment by improving coordination with law enforcement to ensure cases are trial-ready sooner, reducing continuances and delays. I will also promote more training, enhance supervision and workload management to reduce turnover, and identify retention strategies, which are major contributors to inefficiency.
My experience prosecuting cases in another large district with different case management structures enables me to identify practical efficiencies that can be adapted to Wake County. My work with the Raleigh Police Department, one of the largest agencies in the County coincided with periods of staffing shortages, where prioritization, clear guidance, and coordination were essential to maintaining public safety. These experiences inform how I will manage limited resources while maintaining accountability and case quality.
To advocate for more resources, I will work with the Conference of District Attorneys to present data-driven information to the General Assembly comparing Wake County’s caseloads and population to prosecutor staffing levels in similarly-sized counties. I will work with judges, law enforcement leaders, county and local officials, and community stakeholders to demonstrate how understaffing delays justice, affects victims, and strains public safety in our County. Transparency with the public about staffing needs and outcomes would be central to building support for additional funding.
11. Give an example of an opinion, policy, vote, or action you changed based on constituent feedback. If you have not yet held elected office, describe a time when you changed your position on an issue after listening to those affected by it.
My views on cash bail have evolved over time. Earlier in my career as a prosecutor, I saw bail primarily as a tool to ensure a defendant’s appearance in court, without fully considering whether detention was necessary in every case to achieve that goal.
Listening to community members, advocates, and individuals directly impacted by pretrial detention, including in my own extended family. I understand how unnecessary pretrial detention can destabilize families, disrupt employment, and threaten housing, even when a person poses no threat to public safety. The research supports these concerns: there is limited evidence that cash bail improves court appearance or reduces recidivism, while its disparate impact on low-income individuals is clear.
That perspective now guides my approach. The purpose of pretrial detention should be to protect public safety and ensure a defendant’s appearance in court, not to impose additional harm based on financial circumstances. Within the limits of the law, I support reducing unnecessary pretrial detention and advocating for alternatives to cash bonds in nonviolent cases where there is no threat to public safety, while still holding defendants accountable through appropriate conditions of release.
This evolution reflects how I lead—by listening, weighing evidence, and adjusting my approach to ensure the justice system is fair, effective, and focused on public safety.
12. Are there any issues this questionnaire has not addressed that you would like to address?
The District Attorney holds one of the most powerful and consequential roles in our criminal justice system. With broad discretion and limited oversight, the DA’s decisions shape outcomes far beyond the courtroom. In Wake County, that responsibility is even greater because the DA also has jurisdiction over criminal matters involving state government officials. That authority demands independence, sound judgment, and a firm commitment to accountability, especially when those in positions of power are involved. Beyond prosecuting cases, the DA must lead an office of attorneys responsible for administering justice, build strong relationships with community stakeholders, and guide law enforcement at the state and local levels. Given the scope and weight of these responsibilities, the experience of the DA is particularly important.
What best prepares me to lead this office is the diversity of relevant experience I bring to the role. I’ve seen our justice system from just about every angle that matters. I began my career defending individuals facing criminal exposure. This grounded me in the real consequences of prosecutorial decisions for individuals and their families. I then served more than a decade as a prosecutor: nearly five years in the Wake County DA’s Office and eight years in the Manhattan DA’s Office, one of the largest offices in the country. In my current role as a legal advisor to law enforcement, I provide guidance to officers at every rank, including the Chief of Police and executive staff, during critical incidents and public-safety challenges. I also assist their efforts to maintain public trust through transparency and accountability. Together, these experiences give me the sound judgment to protect public safety, the perspective to pursue fair and effective criminal justice reform, the courage to hold the powerful accountable, and the discernment to strengthen the office from within so it can better serve the demands and needs of our growing County.