Our Guiding Principles
- Accountability and redemption are not mutually exclusive—they are essential to safe communities.
- We believe in limited government, responsible spending, and a justice system that works smarter—not just harder.
- Public safety is best served when we prevent crime, support victims, and promote strong families and safe reintegration.
Why it matters: More than 40% of all criminal charges in North Carolina are for administrative traffic violations. These do not enhance public safety but drive people deeper into the system—disproportionately harming low-income families and undermining workforce participation.
Conservative Solutions:
- End automatic driver’s license suspensions for Failure to Appear (FTA) or Failure to Pay (FTP), unless tied to dangerous conduct.
- Implement court date reminder systems—backed by 91% of NC voters—which reduce missed appearances without punitive enforcement.
- Prioritize limited law enforcement resources on serious public safety threats—not administrative infractions.
Why it matters: Stable jobs and strong families reduce crime. But criminal records create barriers to employment, housing, and family stability—often for decades.
Conservative Solutions:
- Expand record clearance for dismissed charges and nonviolent offenses. Over 70% of NC voters support this reform across party lines.
- Ensure access to temporary benefits for those reentering society—a policy supported by 71% of Republicans when linked to reduced recidivism.
- Make second chances a pro-family, pro-work priority. Redemption is a conservative value.
Why it matters: At CCJR, we believe in a justice system that protects the vulnerable—without expanding government beyond its proper role. Women and children are too often left unprotected by both predators and the legal system itself. We must do better. A conservative vision for justice requires effective protections for victims, accountability for abusers, and guardrails that prevent further harm through unnecessary prosecution.
Conservative Solutions:
- Real Protection Without Overreach
- Strong enforcement of laws addressing online exploitation, stalking, harassment, and coercion.
- Investment in technology and agency coordination to stop predatory behavior, especially online.
- Prevention-based strategies that disrupt trafficking and grooming pipelines without overcriminalization.
- Stop Revictimizing Survivors
- Clear legal pathways for survivors to avoid or vacate charges stemming from abuse-related circumstances.
- Trauma-informed prosecution and sentencing practices that recognize the realities of coercion and victimization.
- Safe harbor laws that prioritize restoration and safety for criminally exploited individuals.
Why it matters: Nearly one in six criminal cases in North Carolina includes a missed court appearance, often for minor traffic issues. This leads to unnecessary jailings and license suspensions, wasting resources and reducing public trust.
Conservative Solutions:
- Invest in statewide eCourts and automated reminders, which have proven to reduce FTAs and save money.
- Create night courts or flexible options to accommodate work and family schedules.
- Improve public access and streamline court procedures for greater transparency and accessibility
Why it matters: Nearly all North Carolinians (92%) support mentoring and camps for low-level juvenile offenses—diverting youth from adult jails and providing meaningful intervention.
Conservative Solutions:
- Shift from punitive to preventive strategies—like court-approved mentorship programs.
- Invest in community-based alternatives with strong family involvement.
Polling conducted by the NC Chamber of Commerce (Criminal Justice Reform – Does it Mean What You Think It Does? – NC Chamber) confirms overwhelming support across ideologies for programs that turn young lives around before they escalate.
Why it matters: Punishment must fit the crime. Overuse of incarceration for nonviolent offenses undermines respect for the law and drains public resources.
Conservative Solutions:
- Promote proportional sentencing guidelines that distinguish between threats and mistakes.
- Expand rehabilitation programs, especially those tied to employment, addiction recovery, and education.
- Support the First Step Act model, a reform backed by 81% of NC Republicans, that allows incarcerated individuals to earn time off their sentence by participating in programs like job training, addiction treatment, and education — proving that rehabilitation, not just punishment, makes communities safer.