Kim Gourier Scott today released a statement on her decision to file for the office of district attorney following an announcement by sitting DA Valerie Asbell that she would be retiring. 

“I am running for district attorney for the seventh prosecutorial district because I recognize that while our system has flaws, our system of justice is needed now more than ever,” she said. “I am qualified to train and lead the district attorney’s office forward with commitment and vision to make our court system more efficient for victims, defendants and taxpayers.”

She said, “Representing the state of North Carolina is a great responsibility that should not be taken lightly, nor should the decision in selecting who should be your next district attorney. The role of the prosecutor comes with the ability to change an individual's life and a community with the stroke of a pen. I am committed to prosecuting with a spirit of integrity and transparency and pledge to continue to do so if elected as district attorney. 

“The role of the prosecutor is to fight for what is right, regardless of who those rights belong to, the victim or the defendant. That is exactly what I have spent almost fourteen years of my career doing. As a prosecutor I fight for the rights of victims and defendants, even when no one is watching.  I do so because I take a great amount of pride in making sure that I prosecute cases in an ethical manner.”

Vision for the office

Scott said her vision for the office is as follows:

Be honest and transparent in all prosecutions

Implement and establish policies for prosecuting cases that protect the community from violent offenders

Implement and establish policies, and work with established programs, that assist many first time nonviolent offenders to keep them out of the court system

Establish partnerships with schools to reach youth before they ever get to the court system

Work with community stakeholders to identify mental health and drug addiction treatment programs that can be implemented as treatment options

Work with court personnel to implement a cooperative approach for addressing the status of pending cases and how to efficiently move the court system forward

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Experience

“I have been an assistant district attorney with the district attorney’s office which comprises Bertie, Halifax, Hertford and Northampton counties for almost fourteen years.  Prior to my current role as an assistant district attorney, I worked as a staff attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina representing victims of domestic violence. I have spent most of my almost 17-year legal career as a public servant dedicated to working in, with, and for the community I serve. 

“I understand that encounters with the court system can be difficult on an individual and their family. Because of this, I have been committed to ensuring that everyone that I encounter and that enters the courtroom is treated with dignity and respect. How people are treated when they encounter the court system can often leave a lasting impression on them, regardless of where they sit in the courtroom.”

An honor to be a voice for the voiceless

“It has been an honor to be a voice for the voiceless and speak on behalf of victims of crime,” she said. “I am passionate about helping victims navigate through what is often the most traumatic experience of their lives. I have assisted countless victims and their families in navigating their way through the criminal court system. 

“I have successfully prosecuted and tried before a jury many cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to first-degree murder cases. Rarely is the State able to tell a family why exactly a crime occurred. That being said, I am committed to being honest and transparent in the prosecutorial process. I believe that there is truth in transparency, and I am committed to the process.”  

Scott said, “I am diligent in my pursuit to protect the community in which I serve. I do not shy away from or apologize for my position that people should feel comfortable going to sleep in their homes at night, that no means no, and that violent offenders should be held accountable for their actions. As a mother raising her children in this community, I want other parents to feel comfortable being able to allow their children to play at the park or go to school without fear that their children will become victims of crime or another statistic. 

“Our streets, our parks, our schools, and our communities should not be used as a gun range or a criminal hotspot for those who choose not to abide by the law. The world is changing, and there are things about the court system that will have to change to keep up with the times. However, one thing that will never be acceptable is violence in our communities. When this community begins to accept violence as commonplace, we lose ground on protecting peace.  I am committed to prioritizing the prosecution of violent offenders.  

“I do not believe that every crime that comes before the court system should result in a prison sentence, but I am comfortable standing before the court and asking that someone be sentenced to prison when talking about serious violent offenders that disrupt the peace of our community.”  

Said Scott: “I understand that being a prosecutor allows me to help individuals on both sides of the table. Often, people find themselves in situations where they have made a bad decision or a mistake that should not define who they are for the rest of their lives. I believe it is the responsibility of the district attorney to examine cases on a case-by-case basis and determine if they are appropriate for an alternate resolution that could prevent the offender from having a criminal record and keep them out of the court system. 

“I regularly extend deferred prosecution agreements for first-time offenders that, if successfully completed, gives individuals an opportunity to build their future with a foundation free from criminal convictions. I also support teen court programs that seek to keep juvenile non-violent offenders out of the court system. There is a stigma that often follows an individual’s encounter with the court system, and I believe successful completion of these programs helps both individuals and our communities.” 

Increase in violent crime among juveniles

“A growing concern that I have is that over the past couple of years there has been a steady increase in the number of violent and weapons related offenses among younger and juvenile aged offenders. Our court system is seeing younger offenders, and juvenile offenders, involved in more serious violent offenses that are directly related to gangs, weapons, and drug related activities in our community. 

“More must be done to work with our community partners to reach the youth before they enter the court system. If elected, I am committed to working with the schools and in the schools with the staff of the district attorney’s office to be accessible to students, parents, school personnel, faith-based leaders, and other community partners. We must work together to show our youth that there are options other than gangs, weapons, and drugs, and that they have a future that is waiting for them to claim. The district attorney’s office will stand with our community to protect our community and save the future of our community.” 

Lack of mental health resources

“Our district faces challenges due to a lack of resources to serve the mental health and drug addicted populations that often find themselves before the court. I support programs that will address the underlying needs of these vulnerable populations. There are times in our court system where an individual needs the services related to inpatient mental health and/or drug treatment programs, and they often must wait months on a waiting list before getting admitted for services. If elected, I am dedicated to working with the stakeholders in the court system and community leaders to identify service providers that can address the immediate needs of our community.”

Pending cases

“If elected as district attorney, I am committed to working with court personnel to implement a cooperative approach to addressing the status of pending cases and how to efficiently move our court system forward. Our court system works when the court system works. We are in unprecedented times, and I am committed to coming to the table to develop a plan to address the most efficient way to address the status of pending cases.  

“Our court system came to a screeching halt for a period of almost eighteen months due to COVID.  I do believe that it is necessary for the proper administration of justice for a plan to be devised to address the status of the pending cases.  To do so, all court personnel must come to the table willingly and agree to adopt a cooperative approach to addressing the cases that are currently pending that puts a system of accountability in place.  

“It is the role of the district attorney to calendar matters in superior court, however, an effective plan cannot and will not be successful unless the superior court judges, clerks, and defense attorneys are all in one accord as to how to proceed with a given plan.  

“I am committed to calendaring the matters and devising a plan that ensures that the district attorney’s office is prepared to address the matters before the court, and I believe that accountability is key. A plan of action that requires that all parties be present, prepared, and perform, with a tracking system in place, will lead this district forward to a more effective district attorney’s office and more efficient use of court time.”  

Personal

“I am married to Damien Scott, and we share five beautiful children between us, three sons and two daughters. We currently reside in Hertford County where we are raising our three youngest children together. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. I attended Norfolk State University for my undergraduate studies, and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. My husband, Damien Scott, is a native of Gaston, North Carolina, and has lived here in the Roanoke Valley his entire life.  While I am not from this area originally, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to put down roots and raise my family here. 

“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of this district and look forward to the opportunity to continue to do so. There is a lot of work to be done, but it is work that I am committed and dedicated to doing.”

Endorsement from Asbell

“Kim Scott is by far the most qualified, experienced, responsible, and best prepared candidate for district attorney,” DA Valerie Asbell said. “Her compassion for victims, experience, and commitment to justice make her the best person for the position. She carefully considers the law, the facts, and the individual circumstances of each case. Kim has the compassion to listen well, the fierceness to take strong stands, and the depth of knowledge to do so well, and she considers how her decisions will affect the community as a whole.  

“She will act with insight and humanity in her interactions and decisions. Kim has my full endorsement and I fully support her to serve as the next district attorney for Bertie, Halifax, Hertford and Northampton counties.”  

Meet and greet opportunities

There will be a meet and greet with the candidate at 51 Sycamore in Weldon on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and one at the Roanoke Rapids Theater on March 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Additional dates to follow in Bertie and Hertford counties.

She has a campaign Facebook page at this link