Candidate for NC District Court judge, Democrat Kevin Boxberger, answers our questions

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: Kevin Boxberger

District/seat: District 10D, Seat 3 (Wake County)

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 40

Campaign website: www.boxbergerforjudge.com

Current occupation: District Court Judge, Tenth Judicial District

Professional experience: Firefighter in the United States Air Force 2002-2008; Firefighter for the City of Raleigh (2008-2010); Attorney (2013-2024); District Court Judge (2024-present)

Education: Associate Degree in Applied Fire Science, Community College of the Air Force; Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Colorado Technical University; Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law

Please list any notable government or civic involvement . Served in the Air Force for approximately six years and as a firefighter for the City of Raleigh for approximately two and one-half years.

What areas of the law do you have experience in, as a judge or attorney?

Criminal and family law.

Other: Domestic violence and civil no contact orders.

What is your judicial philosophy?

My judicial philosophy is to administer justice without favor, denial, or delay; to, without an agenda, apply the facts to the applicable law; and to treat everyone that appears before me with dignity and respect.

Tell us about a specific event in your legal career of which you are most proud.

What first comes to mind when thinking about this question is a 16-year-old I represented for stealing. Prior to Raise the Age, 16-year-olds were charged as adults. As such, a criminal conviction would appear on a background check. After resolving the matter in his favor, he gave me an origami of a bird with a personal message inside. He told me this event changed his life. Not only do I still have that origami, but it also currently sits on a desk in my office.

What is one of the biggest issues facing the judicial branch in NC and what should be done to address it?

Funding and attorney shortages. Regarding attorney shortages, a study from the American Bar Association in 2022 found that NC had 2.5 attorneys per 1,000 residents, which ranked 39 out of the 50 states. Not only are we in the bottom half of the country, but this shortage also primarily affects lower-income individuals seeking legal representation.

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