The Honorable Craig Croom Presented Judicial Excellence Award
Apr 6, 2016
North Carolina Division President Randy Byrd and Judge Craig Croom.
The Honorable Craig Croom was recently presented with the Judicial Excellence Award at the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association at the 10th annual ‘George Almond’ Officer of the year banquet on February 20, 2016.
Craig Croom is a native of Kinston, NC. He moved to Raleigh with his family in 1983. He graduated from W. G. Enloe High School in Raleigh, NC in 1985. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in the Administration of Criminal Justice in 1989. He started his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff with the Wake County Sheriff’s Department in September 1989. He graduated first in his class at the Wake County Sheriff’s Academy and was assigned to the Patrol Division.
He left the Wake County Sheriff’s Department in August 1991 to attend North Carolina Central University School of Law. He graduated cum laude from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1994. He clerked for Judge Jack Cozort of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. After clerking, he joined the Wake County District Attorney’s Office in July 1995. He spent the majority of his tenure in the Wake County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting felony drug cases.
Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. appointed him to be a Wake County District Court Judge, and he was sworn in on July 30, 1999. Craig was reelected without opposition in 2002, 2006, and 2010. Governor Beverly Perdue appointed him to be a Special Superior Court Judge on February 22, 2011 and was sworn in on February 28, 2011. Craig served as a Special Superior Court Judge until December 31, 2012. Craig practiced law with his wife in the firm of Claudia C. Croom PLLC Attorney at Law. Craig served as an Administrative Law Judge with the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. He was elected to serve as a Wake County District Court Judge on November 4, 2014 and began his term on January 1, 2015.
Craig is very active in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a Life Member. He has served in numerous capacities in his local chapter, Phi Lambda, including Community Service Chairman and Vice President. He currently serves as Corresponding Secretary.
Craig participates in various other community and professional activities. He previously served as a member of the Tenth Judicial District Bar Board of Directors and is active in the Wake County Bar Association.
Craig is committed to helping young people. He is a certified Juvenile Court Judge, and he presides in juvenile court on a regular basis. He volunteers with Capital Area Teen Court and the Garner Road YMCA Teen Achievers program. He spends a great deal of time speaking to young people in schools and churches throughout Wake County.