Attorney Kevin Jones is a graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He came to North Carolina as a part of the Teach for America program in 1997. Kevin taught 5th grade at Braswell Elementary School, in Rocky Mount, NC for three years. It was during this time as a classroom teacher that he began to see how he could combine his passion for protecting the rights of others and his love for law.

Committee to Elect Kevin Jones

Kevin E. Jones came to North Carolina as part of the Teach for America program in 1997. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Committee to Elect Kevin Jones - Democracy Engine

Kevin E. Jones lives in North Carolina. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

When I moved from the classroom to the courtroom, I became a Durham County Assistant Public Defender. My prior experience working with students made me an ideal candidate to handle all the juvenile cases that came through our office. In addition to my juvenile delinquency case load, I also handled a consistent case load of approximately 250-300 misdemeanor and lower-level felony cases for the office. After leaving the Durham County Public Defender’s Office, I established the Law Office of Kevin E. Jones, PLLC in January 2007. As an attorney in private practice, I used all the lessons learned as a classroom teacher and an Assistant Public Defender to build a practice committed to guiding clients through the justice system. My practice focuses on Criminal Law, Traffic, Family Law, and Civil litigation. The variety of cases handled in my private practice prepared me to preside in all court room settings in District Court.

Candidate Questionnaire: Kevin E. Jones

Kevin is an attorney in private practice at the Law Office of Kevin E. Jones, PLLC. He previously worked as a Durham County assistant public defender.

Who's Running For Durham County District Attorney and Sheriff?

Kevin Jones (Democratic Party) is a judge for Seat 3 of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District. He assumed office on January 1, 2024. His current term ends on December 31, 2026. Jones (Democratic Party) ran for election for judge of the North Carolina 14th Judicial District. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Kevin Jones (North Carolina District Court judge)

Kevin currently serves as a judge for Seat 3 of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District. He won election for judge of the North Carolina 14th Judicial District in 2022 and assumed office in 2024.

Kevin Jones (North Carolina District Court judge) - Ballotpedia

Kevin currently serves as a judge for Seat 3 of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District. He also ran for judge of the North Carolina 14th Judicial District in 2022 and won. 

2026 North Carolina General Election

Worked as a Durham County assistant public defender, representing juveniles and defendants in misdemeanor and lower-level felony cases.

Established the Law Office of Kevin E. Jones, PLLC in 2007 and practiced criminal, traffic, family, and civil law.

As an attorney at he Law Office of Kevin E. Jones, PLLC,researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided  legal advice to clients, specializing in criminal, traffic, family, and civil law.

- Worked as a Durham County assistant public defender, representing juveniles and defendants in misdemeanor and lower-level felony cases.
- As an attorney at he Law Office of Kevin E. Jones, PLLC,researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided  legal advice to clients, specializing in criminal, traffic, family, and civil law.

Legal Experience

The years spent giving to the community have inspired him to seek the opportunity to serve the citizens of Durham, NC as a District Court Judge. As a District Court Judge, his aim will be to practice judicial efficiency, balance judgment with mercy, and treat all who appear before the court with dignity and respect.

My twenty-five (25) years of service to those in need have allowed me to gain the necessary skill and perspective to be effective, fair, and impartial on the bench. I started my years of service as a 5th grade classroom teacher at an under resourced school in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. As a classroom teacher, I was required to work with parents, fellow teachers, and community members to ensure my students received an excellent education. Like classroom teachers, an effective District Court judge must be willing work collaboratively with courthouse staff and fellow judicial officials to create an environment where all citizens receive appropriate access to the justice system.

Plans to promote judicial efficiency, balance judgment with mercy, and treat people appearing in court with dignity and respect.

Said district court judges should collaborate with courthouse staff and other judicial officials to provide appropriate access to the justice system.

- Plans to promote judicial efficiency, balance judgment with mercy, and treat people appearing in court with dignity and respect.
- Said district court judges should collaborate with courthouse staff and other judicial officials to provide appropriate access to the justice system.

Judicial Administration

Rehabilitation - My pursuit of greater justice is inspired by the eighteen (18) years I have spent helping clients understand their constitutional rights, protecting clients from those who would abuse the justice system, and securing resources for clients who are in need. As an Assistant Public Defender in Durham County, I counseled many young men and women through their first involvement with the justice system. These experiences reinforce my belief that rehabilitation must be a priority within our Justice System.

I define myself as a liberal democrat. However, my political beliefs will not affect my judicial approach if I am elected. As a District Court Judge I would be sworn to uphold the United States Constitution and North Carolina state Constitution. The Constitution requires the application of facts to the applicable law in rendering decisions. We live in a diverse community which consists of people who hold a variety of political and philosophical beliefs. It is paramount that each member of our community receives equal and equitable treatment when they appear before the court. Citizens should never have to question whether the political party beliefs of the judge presiding over their legal issue will influence the outcome of their case. My decisions will be based on interpretation of the law and the facts as they are presented and not my political beliefs.

The three most important qualities a judge must possess are appropriate temperament, humility, and critical thinking. The court room is a high stress environment where citizens are consistently required to make critical life changing decisions. A judge must not add unnecessary hostility and tension to the proceedings. In fact, an effective District Court judge should be able to tone down and manage the emotions of litigants, attorneys, and witnesses to protect the integrity of the proceedings.

Talking out of turn, wearing the wrong clothes, and allowing a cell phone to ring have all resulted in severe reprimands and even contempt proceedings being initiated against Durham citizens. While I believe that appropriate court room decorum is necessary to effectively administer justice; I do not believe someone’s liberty should be taken away because they did not wear the right article of clothing to court or they forgot to place their phone on silence. I am running for District Court Judge to bring a more balanced and sensible perspective to the bench.

My clients frequently found themselves facing the extremely difficult decision of either paying rent or paying court fees. I considered it a part of my advocacy to find the appropriate resources for my clients to help prevent them from returning to the justice system as a repeat offender. It is my belief that judicial officials must be aware of the individual circumstances of each citizen appearing before the court. Judges can make equitable decisions based on the law when they are open to receiving all the information available to them about citizens seeking relief from the court.

Believes rehabilitation must be a priority within the justice system.

Said judicial decisions should be based on the law and facts presented, not a judge's political beliefs.

Said judges should have an appropriate temperament, humility, and critical thinking, and manage courtroom emotions without adding unnecessary hostility.

Opposes taking a person's liberty for minor courtroom decorum violations such as inappropriate clothing or an unsilenced phone.

Believes judges should consider each person's individual circumstances and available information when making equitable decisions under the law.

- Believes rehabilitation must be a priority within the justice system.
- Said judicial decisions should be based on the law and facts presented, not a judge's political beliefs.
- Said judges should have an appropriate temperament, humility, and critical thinking, and manage courtroom emotions without adding unnecessary hostility.
- Opposes taking a person's liberty for minor courtroom decorum violations such as inappropriate clothing or an unsilenced phone.
- Believes judges should consider each person's individual circumstances and available information when making equitable decisions under the law.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 5, 2026, Kevin E. Jones did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Kevin E. Jones

- Said judicial decisions should be based on the law and facts presented, not a judge's political beliefs.
- Said judges should have an appropriate temperament, humility, and critical thinking, and manage courtroom emotions without adding unnecessary hostility.
- Opposes taking a person's liberty for minor courtroom decorum violations such as inappropriate clothing or an unsilenced phone.
- Believes judges should consider each person's individual circumstances and available information when making equitable decisions under the law.

- Worked as a Durham County assistant public defender, representing juveniles and defendants in misdemeanor and lower-level felony cases.
- Established the Law Office of Kevin E. Jones, PLLC in 2007 and practiced criminal, traffic, family, and civil law.

As of January 5, 2026, Kevin E. Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kevin E. Jones is currently a judge for Seat 3 of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

As a former attorney, Jones handled a juvenile delinquency case load and approximately 250-300 misdemeanor and lower-level felony cases, gaining a thorough understanding of both prosecution and defense to render fair and impartial judgments.

For Candidate Kevin E. Jones on Issue judicial-administration:  
Commits to pursuing greater justice by seeking truth in all cases and treating all citizens with dignity and respect while balancing judgment with mercy.

Believes that a judge must possess appropriate temperament, humility, and critical thinking to manage the high-stress courtroom environment and protect the integrity of proceedings.

Supports public financing of judicial elections to prevent the perception that the judiciary is for sale and advocates for limits on campaign spending to encourage diverse candidates.

Actively involved in the community by participating in local events and supporting various charitable organizations.

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.