HARNETT COUNTY – A district court judge arrested last year following a traffic accident plead guilty today (Thursday) in a Harnett County courtroom. Judge Jason Kimble of Lillington entered a guilty plea to driving while impaired. The court voluntarily dismissed reckless driving, child abuse, and failure to reduce speed charges.
On September 25, 2023 at 3:07pm, Kimble was operating his 2010 GMC SUV on Turlington Road when he caused a rear-end collision. A child under the age of 18 was in his vehicle at the time of the crash.
Trooper G.C. Middlebrooks with the State Highway Patrol investigated the accident and noted Kimble had an odor of alcohol on his breath and “red glassy eyes.” According to the Highway Patrol report, Kimble “stated he drank” an alcoholic beverage “earlier in the day.” Kimble provided a positive portable breath test at the accident scene but refused to submit to a chemical analysis.
In court today, Judge Samantha Cabe sentenced Kimble to 60 days in jail and 12 months unsupervised probation. Kimble was given 60 days credit towards the active jail sentence for time spent at a substance abuse treatment facility. This reduced his active jail sentence to zero days.
Judge Cabe ordered Kimble to surrender his driver’s license and not operate a motor vehicle until his driving privilege is restored by the NCDMV, except as may be allowed for a limited driving privilege. He must continue ongoing treatment and provide monthly proof of the treatment. Kimble waived his right to appeal.
Kimble was also ordered to pay $293 in court costs plus a $250 fine. He was represented in court by attorney Robert A. Buzzard.
Judge Kimble won election in November 2022 to the 11th Judicial District, covering Johnston, Harnett, and Lee counties. It remains unclear if or when he will return to the bench.
The good ol’ boy network on full display. If he had been the average citizen, they’d thrown the book at ‘em.
First offense DWI…nope. Dropping included cases for the DWI conviction happens all the time.
Nope. The child abuse would not have been dropped in like say Wake County – that is a big deal there and ups everything with the case. He got off big time believe me…
First time offense? Yes they would. Additionally, the judge on this case was not from Harnett/Johnston/Lee but from Orange/Chatham. The prosecutor also was a regional traffic safety prosecutor.
There’s more variables to it like prior records. If he’s been clean all his life until now there’s no reason to be harsh. Plus he got treatment. Now if he has had a DWI before or been arrested a few times for whatever, that’s different.
A $250 fine and zero jail… but:
– Patino jailed under a $50,000 bond https://jocoreport.com/updated-family-headed-to-church-struck-by-drunk-driver-police-say/
– Escobar jailed under a $5000 bond https://jocoreport.com/dwi-suspect-arrested-during-kenly-traffic-stop/
Justice is blind, eh?
Bonds are used to ensure someone’s appearance in court. Fines are when the case is finally adjudicated. Two totally different things.
A you know so much…..it’s almost as if….you work for the guy
No. I just know how the judicial system works.
There’s other variables such as priors.
And, he actually blew a .23 then refused the second test. (Anyone can go to eCourts online and see his court documents…just use smart search and search for his name).
Plus it was around 3-4pm. Who the heck is drunk as a skunk at that time. He was more than likely picking his child up from school. Two tiered justice system for sure…
Two tiered? How so? He’s entitled to the same Constitutional considerations any other defendant would get. Just because he’s a judge and he knows the law doesn’t mean he should be treated differently. Law enforcement, judges, lawyers, etc are not considered second class citizens that should be treated differently.
white man in the Judaical does criminal activity = slap on the wrist