Issues

Wiley will work to build safer communities where families can thrive. That means holding violent offenders accountable while also focusing on smart solutions that reduce repeat crime. Wiley will expand partnerships with law enforcement, schools, and neighborhood groups to stop crime before it starts. Wiley will prioritize tackling gun violence, drug trafficking, violent crime and property theft while focusing on the root cause of crime by supporting proven drug diversion programs that steer nonviolent offenders back on track.

Our local law enforcement officers work hard every day to keep us safe and Wiley will work just as hard to make sure they have the resources and support they need to do their job. Wiley will be a countywide voice for law enforcement to make sure our police have the resources they need to fully train and staff their departments, retain the best officers, and provide good pay and benefits. Public safety means that everyone feels welcome and safe in our communities. Wiley disagrees with those in his party who want to defund the police and supports programs that help to build community relationships and trust between local law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Protecting women and children will be one of Wiley’s highest priorities. He will aggressively prosecute domestic violence, sexual assault, and crimes against children, ensuring victims have a strong voice in the justice system. Wiley will expand victim support services, strengthen partnerships with law enforcement, and work closely with community organizations to prevent abuse before it happens. Wiley will push for tougher penalties for repeat offenders and invest in specialized training for prosecutors handling sensitive cases. Every woman and child in Wake County deserves safety, dignity, and justice.

The career prosecutors at the Wake County District Attorney’s Office do an amazing job despite being overworked and understaffed compared to the rest of the state. Mecklenburg County is smaller than Wake County yet they have double the number of prosecutors. Wake County has just over 40 prosecutors while Mecklenburg County has 85 prosecutors. Wake is one of the fastest growing counties in the state and the DA’s Office hasn’t kept pace with the growth. We need a District Attorney who will get us the resources we need to keep Wake County safe.

With Donald Trump and right-wing extremists trying to take away our freedoms, the threats to our democracy have never been more urgent. The Wake County District Attorney investigates and prosecutes all of North Carolina’s political corruption and government malfeasance cases because of our position in the state’s Capitol. In this moment we need a District Attorney who will stand up for our rights and freedoms, hold corrupt politicians accountable, and defend the rule of law and our Constitution.

 In recent years, we’ve seen endless attacks on our voting rights and our constitutional rights. As District Attorney Wiley will aggressively prosecute anyone who tries to interfere with our elections. That means holding anyone accountable who tries to intimidate voters, suppress the vote or attack our democratic process. He’ll use the full power of the office to defend voting rights and protect our constitutional freedoms. Wiley will always fight to ensure that every citizen’s constitutional rights are protected.

We need a District Attorney who will communicate and show up in all parts of Wake County in order to build faith and confidence in our criminal justice system. While it’s low hanging fruit, the current Office doesn’t maintain a unique website or communicate via official social media platforms. Wiley will create a website and communicate regularly with Wake County citizens about the work of the District Attorney’s Office. He’ll show up and regularly visit all municipalities in Wake County. He’ll partner with local law enforcement and elected leaders around the county to educate the public and help build the community relationships that provide real public safety for Wake. Without trust and community partnerships the Wake DA’s Office and broader criminal justice system can’t function. Wiley will establish a Community Engagement Office to establish important relationships with local law enforcement, elected leaders, community leaders, neighborhood groups and Wake County residents of all ages and backgrounds. Building trust with local communities is the best way to get real public safety.

Medical marijuana is legal in 40 states. As a North Carolina State Senator Wiley authored legislation to legalize medical marijuana. His father died of cancer and used marijuana illegally during his final days of life – something that had a big impact on his views on the issue. Wiley believes we need to change our approach to medical marijuana and will create a new policy in the Wake DA’s Office for dealing with legitimate medical marijuana users.

We have a growing mental health crisis in our state. More than 450,000 adults and young adults in our state have a serious mental illness, and rates of depression, anxiety and other disorders continue to rise. Mental Health Courts work with nonviolent offenders who have been diagnosed with a substance use, mental health, or a co-occurring disorder. Mental health courts facilitate cooperation between the state mental health system, mental health service providers, and the court. This allows the state mental health system to provide repeat adult offenders who need mental health services with treatment and other mental health services aimed at improving their ability to function in the community, thereby reducing recidivism and easing the workload of the court. As District Attorney Wiley will create a full-time mental health court for Wake County to address one of the most pressing challenges facing our community. Too often, people struggling with mental illness cycle through the criminal justice system without receiving the treatment they need. A dedicated Mental Health Court will connect individuals to care, reduce repeat offenses, and improve public safety. By working with judges, treatment providers, and law enforcement, we can ensure that those in crisis get the help they need. This approach is both smart on crime and compassionate, making Wake County stronger and safer for all.

 Wiley will tackle the alarming increase in hate crimes – including those against our Jewish, Asian and Muslim-American communities. He will move more resources into the prosecution of hate crime related cases and make sure law enforcement continues to invest in training to recognize and respond to the complex nature of these disturbing cases.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Far too many North Carolinians are dying from senseless gun violence. Wiley is a father of two young children and understands the fear of sending your child off to school and wondering if they’ll be safe. In Congress Wiley was a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and co-sponsored legislation to ban assault weapons and ghost guns, provide for universal background checks and close the gun show loophole. He also co-sponsored Ethan’s Law, legislation that would require the safe storage of firearms and establish penalties for parents if a minor gains access to a gun. As District Attorney Wiley will come down hard on those who use guns to commit violent crime.