RALEIGH — Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Lock has appointed A. Traynham Dorn as the first Public Defender in Johnston County. Ms. Dorn’s work experience includes over 20 years in private practice where she represented criminal defendants in district and superior court. In addition, her experience includes a community-focused approach through working with indigent clients and serving as a Guardian ad Litem.
“I am excited to appoint Traynham Dorn as Public Defender for Johnston County,” said Judge Lock. “She has tried cases in both the superior and district courts of our county for a number of years, and she has proven herself to be a zealous advocate for her clients. She is highly respected by the Bar and court personnel, and I am confident she will excel in her new position.”
Ms. Dorn holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queens College in Charlotte, and a Juris Doctor from New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. Her appointment as Public Defender for Defender District 13 takes effect July 1, 2024.
“This was a badly needed position in our state budget and I am grateful to Senator Benton Sawrey for his efforts, and to Representatives Larry Strickland and Donna White for their support on the House side,” said Judge Lock. “I am also grateful to Chief Justice Paul Newby for his support of the constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel for all criminal defendants.”
Pursuant to North Carolina law, the senior resident superior court judge appoints the chief public defender for each defender district. Public defenders provide legal representation at state expense for persons who cannot afford to hire private counsel but are entitled to counsel under constitutional or statutory authority. The cases can range from criminal charges to civil commitment, juvenile proceedings, or loss of parental rights.
Person commits crime. (Retail cost increase, insurance premiums increase, funeral cost, etc.)
Person gets arrested by law enforcement (Taxpayer money)
Person goes to jail (Taxpayer money)
Person goes to court (Taxpayer money)
Person gets sentenced to imprisonment (Taxpayer money)
Person appeals (Taxpayer money)
Person gets new trial or scheduled probation hearings (Taxpayer money)
Person finally released and gets probation (Taxpayer money)
Taxpayers are being penalized financially!
We need to overturn the 1963’s Gideon v. Wainwright ruling, which determined defendants are entitled to free-of-charge legal counsel.
Innocent until proven guilty. The US already leads the world in incarcerations per capita. Your idea would just increase incarcerations and cause tax payers more money.
CRIMINALS need to pay for their legal defense. INNOCENT people, wrongly accused by the DA should receive reparations. Overall, the judicial system needs repair. Guilty people getting off on a technicality; innocent people imprisoned. Shouldn’t happen. What IS happening is that all these nice freebies that were meant to help the innocent are being used by the guilty. No good deed goes unpunished. Just look at our welfare system. Abuse, abuse, abuse…
This might actually be the most insane take I’ve ever seen on this site’s comments, and I’ve seen some insane takes.
What is so insane about making CRIMINALS pay for their legal counsel? Not innocent people – CRIMINALS.
Explain to me why hard-working taxpayers (the ones suffering from criminal activity) should not balk at the amount of money criminals are costing us? I am tired of the failing judicial system and tired of paying for failed members of our society.
Criminals need to pay for their legal counsel somehow – perhaps work detail or garnished wages.
That’s my opinion. Tired of all these freebie given out to people – they are just taking and taking and taking from those of us who obey the laws and pay taxes.