The 2022 election cycle brought about many changes among our community’s representation in the state and federal governments. But there was also a big change for Orange and Chatham County at district attorney.
After winning the Democratic primary in May, Jeff Nieman was officially sworn into the role on Monday with a ceremony in the Orange County courthouse. Afterward, in between shaking hands, receiving hugs and offering dozens of “thank yous,” he shared his vision and passion for Orange and Chatham counties’ district attorney’s office.
“No matter where they fall on the political spectrum or how they feel, everyone believes we need to have a fair criminal justice system,” Nieman told 97.9 The Hill. “What seems to be the consensus is that there’s nobody who has a greater better ability to move the local level of criminal justice system in the more positive, progressive, equitable, fair direction than the D.A.”
Minutes before, Nieman was sworn in during a ceremony that filled the mural courtroom in the Orange County Courthouse. Colleagues, community partners, friends and family applauded as he took his oath, becoming just the fourth D.A. in Prosecutorial District 18 in the last four decades.
Nieman’s campaign for the Democratic primary, in which he defeated Kayley Taber with 60 percent of the vote, was based on similar themes as those he spoke about Monday. During his closing comments, the Chapel Hill native described how he bases his actions on the belief that all people deserve dignity and respect – from decision-makers and representation in the criminal justice system to victims and defendants going through it.
“That means there’s dignity and respect for people who are accused of crimes, even people who are accused of terrible things,” Nieman told the gathered crowd. “There’s dignity and humanity in them. Certainly, a big part of what we do is seek accountability and sometimes punishment for those things they’re accused of. But that doesn’t mean they are stripped of their humanity and dignity – they are deserving of that.”
Dozens of community members gathered in the Orange County Courthouse’s Mural Courtroom for Jeff Nieman’s taking of the oath as the county’s newest district attorney.
Former District 15B District Attorney Jim Woodall speaks as part of Jeff Nieman’s swearing-in ceremony. Former District 15B District Attorney Jim Woodall speaks as part of Jeff Nieman’s swearing-in ceremony. Nieman’s father, John (sitting to the left) also spoke during the event.
Among the other speakers during the ceremony was Nieman’s father, John, who is a public defender in Guilford County. John described his son’s efforts preparing for this moment and said he was proud of Jeff’s honesty, sense of fairness and steadfast holding to his values. One example, John said, is his son’s stance against using or threatening the death penalty.
“I practice in a district where they routinely use the death penalty to elicit pleas of life without parole,” said the elder Nieman. “And from prosecutors I know who don’t believe in the death penalty. So, that courage is one of the many things that I am very proud of my son [for].”
Another speaker who credited Nieman’s dedication was outgoing D.A. Jim Woodall, who retired after 31 years of being in the district’s office. Woodall told 97.9 The Hill he remembers his own transition from assistant D.A. to the lead role, and said he’s been preparing Nieman’s expectations for the increase in responsibility.
“He has the make the final decision on so many different things,” Woodall said. “It’s everything from basic office policy, the way the office actually runs, to big decisions on cases and policies for the district. As an Assistant DA, you may see that happening, but until you have to make the decisions, it’s not something you’ve been able to spend a lot of time preparing for.”
With ten new assistant district attorneys sworn in with Nieman and several with decades of experience already in the office, the new district attorney will have several people alongside him in the new role. Woodall said over the last few months, Nieman’s willingness to empower, cooperate and comfort those colleagues has stood out to him.
“One of the things I learned about Jeff was that he’s done a very good job of helping the staff with the transition,” the former D.A. said. “He’s shown leadership with the staff, and that’s where it [must] start. If you have a good staff in a district attorney’s office, that’s the biggest part of your battle.”
When Nieman was asked about his priorities over his first days on the job, his focus was on that staff: meeting with all his team across District 15B and continuing the next steps of transition to his leadership.
“We’ve started laying the groundwork of that,” Nieman said, “but it doesn’t sit the same until we’re fully in the office. I plan to go to Chatham County first thing [on Tuesday], and I’ll…definitely be back here by Wednesday and having those same conversations.
“I’m trying to, on an individual basis, send some of the messages I was sending out there,” the new D.A. added. “‘I’m here to support you, I have your back. What can I do to help you succeed?’”
Here are the assistant district attorneys for Orange and Chatham counties also sworn in on Monday:
- Lynn Kelly Bais
- Blake Courlang
- Kelly Gauger
- Rachel Gassouroun
- Maren Hardin
- Amber Hardy
- Na’Vonne Lewis
- Margaret McConnell
- Anna Orr
- Marcella Trageser
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Sounds like he needs to be working for the ACLU.