By North Carolina Judicial Branch
News
Stay up to date with the latest judicial news, information, press releases, and more on the court system around the state.
![eCourts expanding access to justice logo](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-02/eCourts-expanding-access-logo_0.jpg?VersionId=6Qu8WgBYHPBzk24cIJqZbKiYyrL000Md&itok=vMl9Hy3M)
eCourts is Now Live in Twelve Additional Counties
Now that eCourts is live, eFiling is required for attorneys for any filings (including subsequent filings in open cases) in the 12 counties.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![All Things Judicial](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/ATJ%20Landscape_0.jpeg?VersionId=FYeIJ6ehlZkhzte_0FBQYPz6V9HjlngT&itok=7NoHurSc)
All Things Judicial Features an Interview with District Attorney Spencer Merriweather
Merriweather has served as Mecklenburg County's chief prosecutor since 2017.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Jimbo Perry](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/Jimbo%20Perry_WEB.jpg?VersionId=Rc9PO7CSPhJwAFejQZcMmUmyGlAZdSAz&itok=dTAvk7gJ)
James "Jimbo" S. Perry Named as Executive Director of the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism
Perry replaces former Executive Director Melvin Wright who served in this capacity until his retirement in December 2023.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![From left to right: Richard Vinroot, Hon. Ashleigh Parker, Chief Justice Paul Newby, Marcia Armstrong, Hon. James Ammons. From left to right: Richard Vinroot, Hon. Ashleigh Parker, Chief Justice Paul Newby, Marcia Armstrong, Hon. James Ammons.](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/CJPA.AwardWinners_WEB_0.jpg?VersionId=cL6j2V90sUVxdwgMt3NcOKzO1omT8OCk&itok=hjbI-gXw)
Chief Justice Paul Newby Presents 2023 Chief Justice's Professionalism Awards
This annual award is given for dedication and commitment to the principles of professionalism and public service to North Carolinians.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![eCourts expanding access to justice logo](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/eCourts-expanding-access-logo.jpg?VersionId=a7NSXAnQnRsAcmtVwk7eP3U6o1MztFXu&itok=IUsQ2wa9)
eCourts Track 3 Go-Live Timeline and Transition Process Starting January 24, 2024
To support the transition to eCourts, there will be significant adjustments to courthouse operations the week prior.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![All Things Judicial](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/ATJ%20Landscape.jpg?VersionId=zDdOsZfyW9WAKK7yYDoB3twSempSYa5n&itok=pvEwCTLX)
All Things Judicial Features an Interview with Retired Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Mel Wright
Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism's former Executive Director Mel Wright retired December 2023.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Enterprise Justice Rollout Plan Enterprise Justice Rollout Plan](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/Odyssey%20Rollout%20Map_full%20map%20names_full%20map_WEB.jpg?VersionId=eIX9TeqTvyR7BNsceo2dYDNhYSasAGnA&itok=TRtnI8Pz)
eCourts Expansion Announced for 2024
Millions more North Carolinians to gain online access to their courthouse.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/NCIIC%20Logo_WEB.jpg?VersionId=G.HwAGbOzU6i8a8L9gTsCPwOFY5UURxZ&itok=cJceq0QW)
North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission Announces New Leadership
The changes are the result of the expiration of terms and vacancies.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Mecklenburg County Courthouse](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/mecklenburg_courthouse.jpg?VersionId=AwumuDduJXVeWGL.EeP6MfkJTRC3DtSX&itok=O9ObE2Dq)
26th Judicial District (Mecklenburg County) Announces Code-Green Severe Weather Alert for Court Operations on January 9, 2024
Due to inclement weather, all court sessions scheduled for TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024, have been canceled and all matters will be rescheduled.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![All Things Judicial All Things Judicial](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/ATJ%20Landscape.jpeg?VersionId=7.IZLmXY4xad2vM3iQ7WMFmPiSVH1D0W&itok=L1QVug_2)
All Things Judicial Features an Interview with Former Forsyth County Attorney William F. Womble
Womble was the very first recipient of the Chief Justice's Professionalism Award.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2024-01/Proclamation%202024_WEB.jpg?VersionId=mkljgbQ9f0_lp7euNrn_ZkdcUJtILzrq&itok=ZXYZG8TR)
Chief Justice Paul Newby Proclaims January 2024 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month for the Judicial Branch
January 11 is proclaimed as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![lady justice](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-12/lady%20justice%20court%20sky.jpeg?VersionId=4Qn_eq6TckNrAKl18ajSzWsjAFuca1Wp&itok=jKeoQBp3)
Public Defender Office to be Established in Judicial District 7 (Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton counties)
The chief public defender will be installed in January 2024 with the main office being located at the Northampton County Courthouse.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![All Things Judicial All Things Judicial](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-12/ATJ%20Landscape_1.jpeg?VersionId=J841vx_bMWqb4aVfhj2oAI.PFiDwr7X5&itok=5CFdAuYE)
All Things Judicial Features a Discussion on the History of the North Carolina Constitution
Excerpts from a 2023 discussion between Chief Justice Paul Newby and UNC Law Professor John Orth.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Mecklenburg County Courthouse](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-12/mecklenburg_courthouse.jpg?VersionId=juWWU_Pl_5Kyh6Hd0V_7tpI5AdJH8yWh&itok=g8qHp5kb)
26th Judicial District Announces Operational Changes Impacting Criminal Matters in Superior and District Court
Operational changes will be implemented, effective January 2, 2024, for courtrooms 1150, 4330, 5310, 8330, 8350, 8370, and 8390.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Wake County Chief District Court Judge Margaret Eagles](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-12/Judge%20Margaret%20Eagles_WEB.jpg?VersionId=a.vD97fCPPgKmi..bi2_wbIPoIoo5qPV&itok=wcVWGwg6)
Chief Justice Paul Newby Appoints Margaret Eagles as Chief District Court Judge for Wake County
Judge Eagles will begin serving as chief district court judge February 1, 2024.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Henry Stevens IV (left) and Nicky Dobson Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Henry Stevens IV (left) and Nicky Dobson](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-12/Nicky.png?VersionId=Or12g33a0lVY8ESMmORikbUqfZc3Co4N&itok=WG7XsziB)
Niccoya "Nicky" Dobson Appointed Chief Public Defender in District 4
District 4 covers Duplin, Jones, and Sampson Counties.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![ACEs Task Force final report cover](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-12/ACEs-Task-Force-final-report-cover.jpg?VersionId=qrzm9Rf6rS8XmrSlJNUt1aaOmAHIeR3Y&itok=Ho7huARa)
Chief Justice's Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts Issues Final Report
The report memorializes the work of the ACEs Task Force and provides recommendations for further integration of trauma-informed care.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![All Things Judicial All Things Judicial](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-12/ATJ%20Landscape.jpeg?VersionId=Zila4X.rduN4i9B6G_SC.kkdblVcietd&itok=tD5gXzBE)
All Things Judicial Features Interview with Former Judge Lillian B. Jordan
Jordan was a role model for women seeking a career in the legal field.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![Gavel](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-06/law-4617873_1920.jpg?VersionId=0K4Shwd2mJU6xM99.F5zfqj3WAV9E09U&itok=g6oD_Ehl)
Governor Cooper Announces Two Judicial Appointments for District and Superior Courts
Governor Roy Cooper has announced two judicial appointments to district court (16B) and superior court (19D).
By North Carolina Judicial Branch
![All Things Judicial All Things Judicial](/assets/styles/480x270/s3/2023-11/ATJ%20Landscape.jpg?VersionId=I5_HbINPhTzvWiDRbV4Pi6wcL.Vui7fL&itok=hgZ9iQvB)
All Things Judicial Focuses on District 11A Veterans Treatment Court
The goal of each VTC is to connect eligible veterans with benefits and treatment earned through military service.
By North Carolina Judicial Branch