On Friday, May 23, 2025, the North Carolina Supreme Court censured Harnett County Judge Jason Kimble for driving under the influence with his minor daughter in the vehicle and attempting to leverage his judicial position to avoid legal consequences.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Jason Kimble,” with case number 23-488.
The unanimous decision followed Kimble’s guilty plea in 2024 to a Level One driving while impaired (DWI) charge, stemming from an incident in 2023 where his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured at 0.23, nearly three times the legal limit.
The court’s order stated that Kimble’s actions violated the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires judges to uphold the law and maintain public trust in the judiciary’s integrity and impartiality.
The incident occurred on September 25, 2023, during regular court hours on a workday, when Kimble was picking up his 13-year-old daughter from school. The court noted that this context made his conduct particularly concerning, as it undermined the expected standards of judicial behavior.
According to the Judicial Standards Commission, which investigates ethical complaints against judges, the incident began when the State Highway Patrol responded to a minor collision in Harnett County. Kimble admitted to “bumping” another vehicle while his daughter was seated in the front passenger seat. Initially, he refused a breath test but later complied, registering a 0.23 BAC.
Upon being informed of his arrest, Kimble mentioned his judicial role and referenced acquaintances within the State Highway Patrol, urging the trooper to charge him with a lesser offense to protect his career. In-car camera footage also captured Kimble using profanity toward the trooper while in custody.
Kimble faced charges of DWI, reckless driving to endanger, misdemeanor child abuse, and failure to reduce speed. The day after his arrest, he reported himself to the Judicial Standards Commission. Following his guilty plea to the DWI charge, Kimble was sentenced to 24 months in the misdemeanant confinement program, which places individuals convicted of drunk driving in county jails. He received a 60-day sentence credit for time spent in an inpatient treatment facility post-arrest.
The Supreme Court acknowledged Kimble’s actions after the incident, noting that he had conducted himself appropriately by self-reporting, seeking rehabilitation, and accepting responsibility through his guilty plea. The court determined that censure was the minimum appropriate consequence for his actions, though it has the authority to suspend or remove judges for violations of the judicial code.
In a separate opinion, Justice Phil Berger Jr., a Republican, argued that Kimble, also a Republican, should have resigned. Berger emphasized that district court judges, who handle cases involving domestic issues, traffic violations, and minor criminal offenses, serve as visible representatives of the justice system in their communities. He stated that a judge unable to govern their own behavior lacks the authority to oversee others’ conduct.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
