Roy A. Dawson outlines priorities for District Court
Roy A. Dawson, a Republican candidate for District Court judge in District 9, Seat 1, says public safety, efficient court proceedings and public confidence in the justice system are among his priorities. The district includes Lenoir, Greene and Wayne counties.
Dawson said his path to practicing law included leaving high school at 16, working in restaurants, warehouses and manufacturing, and returning to school through night classes. He said he attended community college before transferring to UNC-Chapel Hill through the C-STEP program and graduating from the UNC School of Law in 2014.
“That journey taught me that circumstances do not have to determine where you end up,” Dawson said. “It also taught me discipline, humility and persistence.”
Dawson said he has practiced law for more than 12 years, handling criminal, family and civil matters and participating in hundreds of District Court bench trials. He said he opened his law firm in 2021 and has served as president of the Lenoir County Bar Association and co-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Equitable Distribution subcommittee.
He said the impact courtroom decisions can have on families, victims, defendants and communities motivated him to seek the judgeship.
“A judge’s job is not to make the law,” Dawson said. “It is to listen, understand the facts, follow the law and make fair and consistent decisions.”
Dawson identified public safety and accountability, timely administration of justice, and confidence in the fairness of courts as three concerns. He said judges can address them through preparation, effective courtroom management, timely decisions and consistent application of the law.
On accountability, Dawson said decisions should rest on the evidence presented in court and applicable law.
“Judges are accountable first and foremost to the Constitution and the law,” he said.
He said judges should explain decisions when appropriate, treat people professionally and apply the same principles to similar cases.
Dawson said campaigning throughout the three counties has given him opportunities to hear from people with different backgrounds. He said judges should remain connected to their communities while respecting judicial independence and ethical responsibilities.
“A judge cannot make decisions based on public opinion or discuss pending cases with members of the community,” Dawson said.
He said cooperation with attorneys, clerks, law enforcement officers, court staff and treatment providers is important to the court’s work, while judicial decisions must remain independent. He also said political affiliation should not affect how the law is applied.
Dawson described economic development as primarily the responsibility of legislative and local government officials. He said the judiciary contributes by maintaining a trustworthy court system that respects rights and contracts, handles cases efficiently and treats people equally.
“My focus would therefore be on doing the day-to-day work of the court well while helping preserve the long-term integrity and public trust that our judicial system depends upon,” Dawson said.
