Jonathan Wilson, candidate for Durham County District Attorney
READ MORE
Candidates for Durham District Attorney
Three Democrats are running for Durham County district attorney: Daniel Meier, Jonathan Wilson and Satana Deberry, the incumbent. No Republicans are running. Get to know the candidates with our 2022 Voter Guide.
Expand All
Name: Jonathan Wilson
Age: 39
Political party: Democrat
Campaign website: wilson4da.com
Occupation and employer: Attorney, J. Wilson Law PLLC
Education: North Carolina A&T State University (undergrad); North Carolina Central University School of Law (graduate)
Have you run for office before? No.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Vice president of Durham County Teen Court Restitution Program and head coach for Special Olympics North Carolina
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Friends, family and peers
What are three things you want to accomplish in the next year, and how do you plan to accomplish them?
If I am elected to be the Durham County District Attorney I would want to:
▪ Reduce violent crime and restore the swift administration of justice. In order to reduce crime, I believe it is important to collaborate with law enforcement, local community leaders and educators and see what we can do to prevent violent crime.
▪ Repair relationships with aggrieved citizens and the community at large. I would also improve communication with victims and witnesses to ensure victims of crime are kept up to date regarding the cases in which they are involved and ensure that their voices are heard in court.
▪ Remove barriers preventing fairness and equity in our criminal justice system. I will also heavily utilize diversionary programs when appropriate and ensure that ADAs are trained to recognize racial bias in the discharge of their duties.
What about your experience makes you the best person to be Durham County’s next district attorney?
I am a trial attorney who has aggressively defended the rights of people entangled in the criminal justice system since 2010. I have represented both victims and the accused in a wide range of matters ranging from minor traffic offenses and domestic disputes to first degree murder. I have spent countless hours in the halls of the Durham County Courthouse handling matters fearlessly, and with the utmost integrity.
What does the District Attorney’s Office do well? In what areas does it need to improve?
The District Attorney’s Office does well at not prosecuting low level crimes, however they need to improve their communication with their victims and give them a voice. They need to be present in the courthouse and outside of the courthouse.
What role does the DA’s office play in stemming violent crime? How do you plan to approach that role?
Some believe that once a case makes it to the District Attorney’s Office it is too late. However, I am of the opinion that through collaboration with law enforcement, community leaders, and educators, we can be proactive and prevent or lessen the impact of violent crime.
How will you ensure that people of color and people who are poor are treated fairly?
As district attorney, it will be my job to recognize the role racial and ethnic bias plays in how crimes are prosecuted in our county and take steps to prevent these biases from interfering with the administration of justice. I will continue the policy of declining to prosecute certain petty offenses such as simple possession or overcharge/request bail for persons charged with minor offenses. These policies will reduce unnecessary police involvement in lower income areas and communities of color and free up critical prosecutorial resources to focus on violent crime and felonies.
What is your stance on the death penalty?
I am against the death penalty and will decline to prosecute murder cases as capital.
What is your stance on prosecuting misdemeanor marijuana offenses?
I am in favor of not prosecuting minor misdemeanor marijuana offenses.
Do you plan to prosecute cases that originate from minor traffic infractions, such as a broken tail light?
No, I do not plan on prosecuting cases that originate from minor traffic offenses.
What is your definition of transparency and how do you plan to apply that?
My definition of transparency is being accessible to the public and being accountable for decisions that I make. I would make it a priority to be available to the public both in the courthouse and in the community.
Does Durham County do enough to prevent people charged with low-level crimes being on bail bonds they can’t pay? If not, what else should be done?
I believe that Durham County is doing a decent job at setting bonds for those charged with low-level crimes.
What programs need to be added to the Durham County court system to better serve its residents?
I would ensure that certain members of the community are adequately served by coordinating with the judges to set times for special court sessions for truancy, matters involving mental health and drug dependency, and matters in which our veterans are defendants. I would utilize programs that place an emphasis on juveniles, such as Teen Court and the P.R.O.U.D Program.
