Nickel, running unopposed for Wake County DA, pledges changes to how office handles marijuana cases
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Wiley Nickel, who is running unopposed in the general election for Wake County district attorney, says he plans to change how the office handles low-level marijuana cases, focusing prosecution efforts on more serious crimes.
"It's just really about priorities," Nickel said.
Nickel, who would take office Jan. 1, outlined his approach during an interview outside the Wake County Courthouse on Thursday, saying he intends to meet with law enforcement leaders across the county in the coming months.
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"I'm going to meet with every police chief in Wake County and tell them my priorities and hope that they agree with me that these are (issues) that aren't a good use of time for law enforcement," said Nickel.
Nickel, a former Congressman and state legislator, made the announcement on Tuesday in a thread on X.
"For folks looking at the changes, there will be dismissals," Nickel said. "There will be a focus more on allowing people to have deferrals, where they go and learn about the dangers of driving while impaired in exchange for a dismissal. I think we can make that process a lot easier for people."
He stressed cases would be handled on a case-by-case basis, noting there would not be a blanket policy.
"You could have a marijuana charge that's tied to an investigation on something much more serious. (Looking at) the context of people using it around children, they're driving (and) putting others' lives at risk, those are cases that we will still prosecute," Nickel said.
Broadly, he said the office would shift resources toward violent and property crimes.
"It is long overdue that the people of Wake County get some respite from low-level marijuana charges," said Dawn Blagrove, an attorney and Executive Director of Emancipate NC.
Blagrove said she hopes Nickel's approach could be part of broader change.
"Emancipate NC would like to see full decriminalization, and also to look back to folks who have been saddled in the past, especially in the Wake County District Attorney's Office, with low-level marijuana charges and try to see if we can expunge those or get rid of them," she said.
NCGOP Communications Director Matt Mercer criticized the plan in a post on X, writing:
"Good news Wake County, the former DC Intern will let marijuana proliferate with no enforcement since it's gone so well in cities like Denver and Washington, D.C."
Nickel has said he will continue outlining his priorities ahead of formally taking office early next year.
