Ballotpedia, Megan Shepard

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Megan is from Ohio. She attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western Carolina University and a law degree from Charlotte School of Law. She has children. Her family are members of City Church in Gastonia.

Megan previously worked as an attorney at Minick Law, P.C., and at the Neece Law Firm. 

Megan Shapard's campaign for district court judge in Judicial District 38 is her first run for public office. 

As an attorney at Minick Law, P.C. , Shepard researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

As an attorney at the Neece Law Firm, Shepard researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in family law.

- As an attorney at Minick Law, P.C. , Shepard researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.
- As an attorney at the Neece Law Firm, Shepard researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in family law.

Legal Experience

As of June 14, 2024, Megan Shepard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Plans to be "tough on crime" and hold violent offenders accountable in court.

Plans to hold government officials accountable for how tax funds are spent.

- Plans to be "tough on crime" and hold violent offenders accountable in court.
- Plans to hold government officials accountable for how tax funds are spent.

Judicial Administration

Candidate website

Believes the Constitution should be interpreted based on its original meaning. Plans to uphold the Constitution and apply the law fairly and impartially as a District Court Judge.

Supports the Constitution and plans to interpret it the way it was written. 

Believes in upholding laws that protect the sanctity of life. Supports the pro-life movement and values human life.

Believes in upholding "traditional family values" and prioritizing them in judicial decisions to reflect community values.

Supports upholding "traditional family values" and prioritizing them in judicial decisions. 

Believes justice should reflect community values. Supports judicial philosophy that aligns with community standards.

Believes justice should mirror community values. 

Opposes gun control and plans to consider the Second Amendment in court decisions.

- Supports the Constitution and plans to interpret it the way it was written. 
- Opposes abortion access.
- Supports upholding "traditional family values" and prioritizing them in judicial decisions. 
- Believes justice should mirror community values. 
- Opposes gun control and plans to consider the Second Amendment in court decisions.

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

Facebook

Megan Shepard

Believes her legal education and career provide a strong foundation for her role as District Court Judge. Supports using her legal expertise to uphold justice and serve Gaston County.

Believes elected officials must work diligently and honestly for taxpayers. Plans to ensure responsible and effective use of tax dollars as a District Court Judge.

Believes elected officials must work diligently and honestly.

Believes in managing the courts effectively to "ensure that justice is served for everyone." Supports reducing backlog and improving case management in judicial administration.

Believes in "uphold[ing] the Constitution as it was written" and applying the law "fairly and impartially."

Believes the Constitution should "be interpreted based on its original meaning." Plans to uphold this philosophy as a District Court Judge.

Believes public safety is a key government responsibility. Plans to be "tough on crime" and hold violent offenders accountable as a District Court Judge.

Believes the Constitution is the foundational document of the country and should guide judicial philosophy. Supports judicial restraint and strict constitutional interpretation.

Believes in prioritizing family values in judicial decisions. Plans to ensure these values guide her role as a District Court Judge.

Believes in judicial restraint and values human life, supporting the pro-life movement. As a District Court Judge, upholds a worldview that emphasizes the sanctity of life.

- Supports the Constitution and plans to interpret it the way it was written. 
- Opposes abortion access.
- Supports upholding "traditional family values" and prioritizing them in judicial decisions. 
- Believes justice should mirror community values. 

Believes in strong community involvement through volunteer work, community service, and participation in local organizations. Supports active membership in groups like the Gastonia East Rotary and contributing to the legal community as a Gaston County Bar officer.

Believes community involvement is crucial and relies on regular people to volunteer and support grassroots campaigns.

Believes in community involvement through volunteer work, community service, and supporting local organizations.

Believes in community involvement through volunteer work, community service, and participation in local organizations. Said, "I am involved in the community and dedicated to public service."

Megan Shepard was born in Upper Arlington, Ohio in 1985 and later attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington on a diving scholarship before transferring to Western Carolina University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Criminal Justice. She is a mother with a strong family bond, and since 2016, she and her family have been members of City Church in Gastonia.

Megan Shepard began her legal career at The Neece Law Firm in 2013, specializing in family law. In 2014, she moved to the Gastonia branch of Minick Law Firm, where she expanded her legal expertise.

As of July 8, 2024, Megan Shepard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 