Candidate for NC Court of Appeals, Republican Chris Freeman, answers our questions
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Candidates for NC Court of Appeals seat 15
Republican Chris Freeman is running against Democrat Martin Moore, after Freeman defeated the incumbent, Judge Hunter Murphy, in a Republican primary. Get to know the candidates with our 2024 NC Voter Guide.
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To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Chris Freeman
District/seat: NC Court of Appeals seat 15
Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 47
Campaign website: chrisfreemanforjudge.com
Current occupation: District Court Judge and JAG Officer U.S. Air Force Reserves
Professional experience: Serving in my ninth year/third term as a District Court judge, serving in my 11th year as an officer in the United States Air Force JAG Reserves, former prosecutor (served eight years).
Education: BS in Business Administration from High Point University; JD in Law from Regent University
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. I attend Osborne Baptist Church in Eden, NC. I am a member of the Eden Kiwanis and I serve as a board member for the Betsy Jeff-Penn 4H Center, the Monroeton Volunteer Fire Department, the NWTF, and the United Way.
What areas of the law do you have experience in, as a judge or attorney?
Criminal, civil litigation, government/public interest and family law.
Other: Child Support, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile DSS (Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency), and Domestic Violence.
What would be your top priority if elected?
I will be fair and apply the law equally to everyone.
What is your judicial philosophy?
Following the law as it is and upholding the Constitution.
Appellate courts often have to consider weighty constitutional issues with widespread public interest. How do you approach legal issues that have strong partisan divides?
Throughout my career as a District Court judge I have earned a reputation of treating all parties fairly, and I intend to do the same as a Court of Appeals judge.
The NC Code of Judicial Conduct has not been updated since 2020. Do you think any changes to the code or its enforcement are necessary?
Those are issues to be addressed by the Supreme Court and the Judicial Standards Commission.
Public opinion polls show that Americans’ trust in the U.S. Supreme Court is near an all-time low. What should be done in NC to increase/maintain confidence in our state’s appellate courts?
We should continue to elect judges who apply the law as written and who do not legislate from the bench — because consistent application of the law over time is the best way to maintain public confidence.
