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Gregory ThompsonCandidate for N.C. Superior Court District 19D 1. Please tell the public a little about yourself- your background, education, and relevant experience. I am a native of Hoke County. I am the ninth of ten children born to the late Mark and Ruth Thompson. I attended Hoke County Public Schools and graduated from Hoke County High School in 1985. I have been married to Georgia Thompson for 26 years. We are members of our family church, Freedom AME Zion Church. In November 2006, we started Judah Church in Maxton, North Carolina where we have served for the past 12 years as Senior Pastors. We have three wonderful boys, Gregory, Jr., Geoffrey and Gabriel. They were all raised in Hoke County and attended Hoke County Public Schools. After high school, I attended East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. While a student at East Carolina, I worked for the law firm of Fitch, Butterfield and Wynn from 1986-1992. I attended North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina and graduated in 1992. In 1993, my wife and I returned to Hoke County and started the Law Office of Gregory B. Thompson. I have more than twenty-six (26) years of legal experience. The majority of my practice has been in civil and criminal litigation in Superior Courts across this great state. 2. For the public’s benefit, please briefly describe the general duties you would be responsible for should you be elected/re-elected to the office you are seeking. Superior Courts hear civil and criminal cases, including felony cases and civil cases when the amount in controversy is over $25,000. In civil cases, a judge generally will decide the case without a jury unless a party to the case requests a trial by jury. If a trial by jury is requested, a superior court judge will oversee the process of the trial and make sure the process is fair and impartial and the rules of the court and the laws of the state are followed. When there is a jury trial, whether criminal or civil, the superior court judge plays crucial roles in the processing of cases and the disposition of justice. 3. Why are you running for office? I am uniquely qualified for the office I seek. My experience as a trial lawyer and public servant lend to an office I will serve with integrity, reflective of the values of the citizens it serves. 4. If elected/re-elected, what are some of the goals you hope to accomplish? I wish to assist the State of North Carolina and the Defense Bar to move cases by working full days. It is important to start court on schedule as officers are expected to be in court as well as on the job. It is important to police officers and our residents that we do not waste tax dollars by delaying officers, which in turn cause municipalities and the Office of the Sheriff to pay overtime and expenses. Work days reduce jail overcrowding by timely moving cases through case management. Our Senior Resident Superior Court Judge deserves a judge who will “shoulder the wheel with him.” I will be that jurist. Also, I will engage in public speaking to educate our residents about the court system. Citizens deserve transparency, to understand the importance of “what goes on at the courthouse.” Topics will include the benefits of serving on jury duty and how each member of the court family, from the Clerk to the District Attorney, works to serve our community. 5. Please briefly describe your stance on some current judiciary issues that your consider important or relevant to Hoke County residents. Judicial Standards Commission prevents me from stating a “stance” on current judiciary issues and I wish to stay within the bounds of the Commission. However, I am keenly aware of issues of concern to our community, such as the opioid crisis and the crime rate. 6. What will you do to handle the transition as Hoke County becomes a new district with Moore County? The new district brings a sense of excitement. Having practiced in the surrounding area for 25 years, I am familiar with the lawyers, judges, clerks and officers of Moore County. I am of the opinion the transition will be a smooth one. We will certainly miss having “our very own” elected District Attorney who served Hoke and Scotland. 7. If elected/re-elected, how would you balance your time addressing the needs of both Hoke and Moore counties? Having lived in Hoke County for most of my life, I am familiar with our lifestyles, schools, churches and our available resources. Working in Moore County, I have a sense of the community, schools, churches and available resources. It is my hope to maintain an office in both counties and to manage my workspace with an open door policy. In addition to set work hours, I will allot time for community service. By prioritizing engagements for Hoke and Moore counties over others who may make request, I will continue to answer the call for community service in our new district. 8. What unique judicial concerns does Hoke County have that Moore County does not have? Hoke county is growing and as a result we have some challenges. Though we have a newer annex in which we hold court, our courthouse is not as modern as Moore County or some of the others across the state. The County Commissioners provide our courthouse while the Administrative Office of the Court is in charge of technology and budgetary concerns of employees. We work hard in Hoke County and we are appreciative of what we do enjoy by way of our facilities and technology. All of the county and state employees I have encountered do an exemplary job serving the public and have an outstanding work ethic. 9. Please briefly describe how you approach or would approach, being a judge. I will serve with integrity, decisively weighing in on areas of the law by following the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina. I will not legislate from the bench. I will listen patiently to all parties and be courteous to those who appear before me.
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