Up & Coming Weekly

February 23, 2016

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 1, 2016 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Working with children is my passion and not just a job. Cases like K.D., a 7-year-old child that was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and strangled nearly to death with a belt, have driven me. After four years of meeting with this child, working with her, and preparing her for court, she finally had her trial. When the guilty verdict was read, I saw the relief in her face, knowing that this man could never hurt her again. We must all make a commitment to children in the court system and in the community, if we want to insure our children's future. One person's pas- sion and dedication can change the life of a child and shape the life of an adult. I grew up in Hope Mills. My parents believed that God was an important foundation for our family. Although, like many teenagers, I made poor choices at times, I learned from my mistakes because I had good role models. The dedication of my teachers at South View High School and my participation in debate led to a scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. From col- lege I traveled to London, England, to work in a law firm. I graduated in 1996 from the University of Akron School of Law and returned to Fayetteville. District Attorney Ed Grannis hired me in January of 1997 for District Court in Cumberland County. Mr. Grannis was later instrumental in helping me secure a felony prosecutor position in Hoke County. Over the next 18 ½ years as a felony prosecutor I tried complex and complicated cases includ- ing rapes, robberies, kidnappings and murders. I have also served as a special prosecutor for Cumberland County handling many cases over the years in Cumberland County Court. I have concen- trated on child sex offense cases because I found that I was an effective advocate for children and could help them navigate the justice system. I became faculty for the National Advocacy Center located at the University of South Carolina in 2006. I began teaching trial techniques to other attorneys throughout the United States. I joined the Internet Crimes Against Children federal task force in 2008. I was trained at facilities sponsored by such agencies as the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service. I met my wife at federal training in South Carolina. She was a child sex offense prosecu- tor from Oklahoma. We shared a passion for working with children. We married and had our own son. We both share a commitment to our son and to our family. My work with children over the years led to constant contact with the Child Advocacy Center, where I am proud to be a member of the board. I believe my experience, specialized training and commitment to children and family are the reasons I can make a difference as the next District Court Judge. I believe that it is just as Frederick Douglas said, "It is easier to build strong children than to fix broken men." The Hardin family Mike Hardin: Advocating for Children by MIKE HARDIN Enjoy Our New Decor 1400 Walter Reed Road, Suite 130 HOURS: M-Sat 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. • Sun: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. 910•867•8700 Authentic Italian Cuisine Authentic Italian Cuisine www.LittleItalyFay.com Enjoy Our New Decor Enjoy Our New Decor (All American Expressway & Owen Drive) Fri/Sat: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. New Open Bar

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