Ways to Get Involved

A Career Dedicated to Service

As an assistant district attorney since 2006, Donald Rice has dedicated his career to ensuring the safety of the citizens of Gaston County. He has served as our county’s lead impaired driving prosecutor for well over a decade. He also serves his community as a Commissioner for the town of Cramerton and a Volunteer Firefighter for the Cramerton Fire Department.

He has been awarded for his achievements in impaired driving prosecution by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. He also shares his knowledge by teaching fellow prosecutors and law enforcement officers all across our state.

He lives in Cramerton with his wife Ashley, and their two sons Samuel and Charlie. They are members of Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Belmont. Here you will find everything you need to know about Donald Rice, why he is running for district court judge, and how you can get involved.

Professional Affiliations

Rotary Club of Gastonia
- Member
State of North Carolina
- Independent Contractor
Gaston County Bar Association Member
- Treasurer – 2010 – 2011
Gaston County Mediation Center
- Executive Board Member, 2006 – 2016
Gaston Lincoln Cleveland MPO
- Alternate Member
NC Department of Insurance Office of the State Fire Marshall
- Fire Fighter I & II Certification
Gaston County Republican Party
- Century Club Member
Gaston County Young Republicans
- Member

Community Activities

Cramerton Fire Department
- Volunteer Fire Fighter
Gaston County Teen Court
- Judge/Trainer
Gastonia City Police Special Olympics Torch Run
- Participant
Walk Like MADD
- Battle of the Bars Champion
Cramerton Veteran’s Memorial
- Fundraising Committee
Cramerton Planning Board
- Alternate Member
Cramerton Community Committee
- Board Liaison
Gaston County Law Enforcement Memorial Service
- Closing Speaker
Leadership Gaston Class
- Presenter
Governor’s Highway Safety Program
- NC Traffic Safety Awards Selection Committee – 2019

Legislative Experience and Elected Office

Elected Office
- Town of Cramerton
  - Board of Commissioners

Legislative Experience
- NC Senate Bill 299 – Habitual Impaired Driving-10 Year Period
  - Assisted in the drafting of the bill and addressed the Senate Committee of Judiciary 3/29/2017

Awards and Publications

Awards
- Mother’s Against Drunk Driving
  - Prosecutor of the Year Award – 2015

Governor’s Highway Safety Program
- Judicial Partner of the Year Award – 2018

Publications
- Authored “What is NMS Lab Lesting and How Do I Get it Into Evidence?”
  - Conference of District Attorney’s Quarterly Magazine

Authored Predicate Questions – NMS Labs
- DWI Resource Manual 4th Edition, NC Conference of District Attorneys

Education and Training

Florida State University
- B. S. Degree in Criminology
- B. S. Degree in Sociology
- Sigma Nu Fraternity
University of Baltimore School of Law
- Juris Doctor
- Sigma Delta Kappa Law Fraternity
Continuing Education
- Prosecuting the Drugged Driver
- Essentials of Municipal Government
- Collision Reconstruction Training for Prosecutors
- DWI Checkpoint Regional
- IACP Drugs, Alcohol, & Impaired Driving Training Conference
- Drug Recognition Expert
- GHSP Traffic Safety Expo & Conference
- Prosecutors and Toxicologists
- Fire Fighter I & II Certification

Teaching Experience

Gaston College Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Academy (BLET)
- Arrest, Search and Seizure/Constitutional Law
- Elements of Criminal Law
Gastonia City Police Department
- In Service Training
American Academy of Applied Forensics
- Legal Issues in Crime Scene Searches
- Legal Issues with Police Body Worn Cameras
- Advancing Drone Programs for Law Enforcement
North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys
- Blood Issues in Driving While Impaired Cases
- NMS – Protocol & Procedures
Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP)
- Working with Out-of-State Toxicology Labs
- Body Worn Cameras: Your New Partner
Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- Victim’s Advocacy Training