CharMeckVotes.org

Judges

The Judicial Branch of North Carolina Government enforces laws for the citizens of the state.

• In the Appelate Division, the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals review trial court decisions in which a party claims a judge made an error in applying the law.
• In the Trial Division, the Superior and District Courts handle over a million cases each year statewide.

What does each court do?

• The Supreme Court is NC’s highest court.  There is no further appeal in the state on the judges’ decisions. The court has a chief justice and 6 associate justices who sit on a panel in Raleigh. The Supreme Court has no jury and makes no determination of fact. It focuses only on procedures and judicial interpretation. Judges are elected by statewide for 8-year terms. One seat is on the 2010 ballot.
• The Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court.  15 judges sit on rotating panels of 3, and review cases from the Superior and District Courts. Appeals can range from parking tickets to murder cases (except for death penalty cases). Court of Appeals judges are elected by a statewide vote and serve 8-year terms. 4 seats are on the Election 2010 ballot.
• The Superior Court hears felony cases, civil cases over$10,000 and appeals from District Court. Statewide, there are 8 Superior Court divisions. Every 6 months, judges rotate among courts within their division. Mecklenburg County is District 26, with 2 seats on the 2010 ballot. Justices serve an 8-year term, and are elected by residents in District 26 (Mecklenburg County).
• The District Court hears a variety of cases including juvenile, mental health and domestic proceedings, family law, smaller civil cases, misdemeanor and preliminary “probable cause” felony cases. There are 42 districts statewide. Mecklenburg County is District 26. There are 9 seats on the Election 2010 ballot. Justices will be elected by Mecklenburg County citizens for 4-year terms.

More information about North Carolina Courts