reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 9 - District Attorneys and Prosecutorial Districts. › § 7A-66.1 - Office of solicitor may be denominated as office of district attorney; "solicitor" and "district attorney" made interchangeable; interchangeable use authorized in proceedings, documents, and quotations.

§ 7A-66.1. Office of solicitor may be denominated as office of district attorney; "solicitor" and "district attorney" made interchangeable; interchangeable use authorized in proceedings, documents, and quotations.
(a) The constitutional office of solicitor may be denominated as the office of "district attorney" for all purposes, and the terms "solicitor" and "district attorney" shall be identical in meaning and interchangeable in use. All terms derived from or related to the term "solicitor" may embody this denomination.
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 956, s. 5.
(c) The interchangeable use authorized in this section includes use in all forms of oral, written, visual, and other communication including:
(1) Oaths of office;
(2) Other oaths or orations required or permitted in court or official proceedings;
(3) Ballots;
(4) Statutes;
(5) Regulations;
(6) Ordinances;
(7) Judgments and other court orders and records;
(8) Opinions in cases;
(9) Contracts;
(10) Bylaws;
(11) Charters;
(12) Official commissions, orders of appointment, proclamations, executive orders, and other official papers or pronouncements of the Governor or any executive, legislative, or judicial official of the State or any of its subdivisions;
(13) Official and unofficial letterheads;
(14) Campaign advertisements;
(15) Official and unofficial public notices; and
(16) In all other contexts not enumerated.
The interchangeability authorized in this section extends to the privilege of substituting terminology in matter quoted in oral, written, and other modes of communication without making indication of such change, except where such change may result in a substantive misunderstanding. Reprints or certifications of the text of the Constitution of North Carolina made by the Secretary of State, however, must retain the original terminology and indicate in brackets beside the original terminology the appropriate alternative words. (1973, c. 47, s. 1; 1975, c. 956, s. 5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 9 - District Attorneys and Prosecutorial Districts. › § 7A-68 - Administrative assistants.

§ 7A-68. Administrative assistants.
(a) Each district attorney shall be entitled to one administrative assistant to be appointed by the district attorney and to serve at his pleasure. The assistant need not be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina.
(b) It shall be the duty of the administrative assistant to assist the district attorney in preparing cases for trial and in expediting the criminal court docket, and to assist in such other duties as may be assigned by the district attorney.
(c) When traveling on official business, each administrative assistant is entitled to reimbursement for his subsistence and travel expenses to the same extent as State employees generally. (1973, c. 807.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 9 - District Attorneys and Prosecutorial Districts. › § 7A-69 - District attorney investigators.

§ 7A-69. District attorney investigators.
Each district attorney is entitled to at least one district attorney investigator to be appointed by the district attorney and to serve at the district attorney's pleasure.
It shall be the duty of the district attorney investigator to investigate cases preparatory to trial and to perform such other Duties as may be assigned by the district attorney. The district attorney investigators are entitled to reimbursement for subsistence and travel expenses to the same extent as State employees generally. (1975, c. 956, s. 6; 1977, c. 969, s. 1; 1981, c. 964, s. 2; 1993, c. 321, s. 200.7(e); 1997-443, s. 18.16; 1998-212, s. 16.21; 1999-237, s. 17.9; 2004-124, s. 14.7(a); 2005-276, s. 14.2(p); 2007-323, s. 14.25(n); 2023-34, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 11 - Special Regulations. › § 7A-95 - Reporting of trials.

§ 7A-95. Reporting of trials.
(a) Court reporting personnel shall be utilized if available, for the reporting of trials in the superior court. If court reporters are not available in any county, electronic or other mechanical devices shall be provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts upon the request of the senior regular resident superior court judge.
(b) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall from time to time investigate the state of the art and techniques of recording testimony, and shall provide such electronic or mechanical devices as are found to be most efficient for this purpose.
(c) If an electronic or other mechanical device is utilized, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the superior court or some person designated by the clerk to operate the device while a trial is in progress, and the clerk shall thereafter preserve the record thus produced, which may be transcribed, as required, by any person designated by the Administrative Office of the Courts. If stenotype, shorthand, or stenomask equipment is used, the original tapes, notes, discs or other records are the property of the State, and the clerk shall keep them in his custody.
(d) Reporting of any trial may be waived by consent of the parties.
(e) Appointment of a reporter or reporters for superior court proceedings in each district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A-41.1(a) shall be made by the senior regular resident superior court judge of that district or set of districts. The compensation and allowances of reporters in each such district or set of districts shall be fixed by the senior regular resident superior court judge, within limits determined by the Administrative Officer of the Courts, and paid by the State.
(f) Repealed by Sessions Laws 1971, c. 377, s. 32. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1969, c. 1190, s. 7; 1971, c. 377, s. 32; 1987, c. 384, s. 1; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, s. 14.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 11 - Special Regulations. › § 7A-96 - Court adjourned by sheriff when judge not present.

§ 7A-96. Court adjourned by sheriff when judge not present.
If the judge of a superior court shall not be present to hold any session of court at the time fixed therefor, he may order the sheriff to adjourn the court to any day certain during the session, and on failure to hear from the judge it shall be the duty of the sheriff to adjourn the court from day to day, unless he shall be sooner informed that the judge for any reason cannot hold the session. (Code, s. 926; 1887, c. 13; 1901, c. 269; Rev., s. 1510; C.S., s. 1448; 1969, c. 1190, s. 49.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 11 - Special Regulations. › § 7A-97 - Court's control of argument.

§ 7A-97. Court's control of argument.
In all trials in the superior courts there shall be allowed two addresses to the jury for the State or plaintiff and two for the defendant, except in capital felonies, when there shall be no limit as to number. The judges of the superior court are authorized to limit the time of argument of counsel to the jury on the trial of actions, civil and criminal as follows: to not less than one hour on each side in misdemeanors and appeals from justices of the peace; to not less than two hours on each side in all other civil actions and in felonies less than capital; in capital felonies, the time of argument of counsel may not be limited otherwise than by consent, except that the court may limit the number of those who may address the jury to three counsel on each side. Where any greater number of addresses or any extension of time are desired, motion shall be made, and it shall be in the discretion of the judge to allow the same or not, as the interests of justice may require. In jury trials the whole case as well of law as of fact may be argued to the jury. (1903, c. 433; Rev., s. 216; C.S., s. 203; 1927, c. 52; 1995, c. 431, s. 7.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 11 - Special Regulations. › § 7A-98 - Unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury.

§ 7A-98. Unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury.
(a) Any matter required or permitted to be supported, evidenced, established, or proved in writing under oath or affirmation may, if filed electronically pursuant to rules promulgated by the Supreme Court under G.S. 7A-49.5, with like force and effect be supported, evidenced, established, or proved by an unsworn declaration in writing, subscribed by the declarant and dated, that the statement is true under penalty of perjury.
(b) Declarations given pursuant to this section shall be deemed sufficient if given in substantially the following form:
"I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of North Carolina that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature)."
(c) Except as otherwise provided by law, this section does not apply to, and such unsworn declarations shall not be deemed sufficient for, any of the following:
(1) Oral testimony.
(2) Oaths of office.
(3) Any statement under oath or affirmation required to be taken before a specified official other than a notary public.
(4) Any will or codicil executed pursuant to G.S. 31-11.6.
(5) Any real property deed, contract, or lease requiring an acknowledgment pursuant to G.S. 47-17. (2021-47, s. 17(a).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-100 - Election; term of office; oath; vacancy; office and office hours; appointment of acting clerk.

§ 7A-100. Election; term of office; oath; vacancy; office and office hours; appointment of acting clerk.
(a) A clerk of the superior court for each county shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof, to hold office for a term of four years, in the manner prescribed by Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. The clerk, before entering on the duties of his office, shall take the oath of office prescribed by law. If the office of clerk of superior court becomes vacant otherwise than by the expiration of the term, or if the people fail to elect a clerk, the senior regular resident superior court judge for the county shall fill the vacancy by appointment until an election can be regularly held. In cases of death or resignation of the clerk, the senior regular resident superior court judge, pending appointment of a successor clerk, may appoint an acting clerk of superior court for a period of not longer than 30 days.
(b) The county commissioners shall provide an office for the clerk in the courthouse or other suitable place in the county seat. The clerk shall observe such office hours and holidays as may be directed by the Administrative Officer of the Courts. (Const., art. 4, ss. 16, 17, 29; C.C.P., ss. 139-141; 1871-72, c. 136; Code, ss. 74, 76, 78, 80, 114, 115; 1903, c. 467; Rev., ss. 890-893, 895, 909, 910; C.S., ss. 926, 930, 931, 945, 946; 1935, c. 348; 1939, c. 82; 1941, c. 329; 1949, c. 122, ss. 1, 2; 1971, c. 363, s. 1; 1973, c. 240; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-102.1 - Transfer of sick leave earned as county or municipal employees by certain employees in offices of clerks of superior court.

§ 7A-102.1. Transfer of sick leave earned as county or municipal employees by certain employees in offices of clerks of superior court.
(a) All assistant clerks, deputy clerks and other employees of the clerks of the superior court of this State, secretaries to superior court judges and district attorneys, and court reporters of the superior courts, who have heretofore been, or shall hereafter be, changed in status from county employees to State employees by reason of the enactment of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes, shall be entitled to transfer sick leave accumulated as a county employee pursuant to any county system and standing to the credit of such employee at the time of such change of status to State employee, without any maximum limitation thereof. Such earned sick leave credit shall be certified to the Administrative Office of the Courts by the official or employee responsible for keeping sick leave records for the county, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall accord such transferred sick leave credit the same status as if it had been earned as a State employee.
(b) All clerks, assistant clerks, deputy clerks and other employees of any court inferior to the superior court which has been or may be abolished by reason of the enactment of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes, who shall thereafter become a State employee by employment in the Judicial Department, shall be entitled to transfer sick leave earned as a municipal or county employee pursuant to any municipal or county system in effect on the date said court was abolished, without any maximum limitation thereof. Such earned sick leave credit shall be certified to the Administrative Office of the Courts by the official or employee responsible for keeping sick leave records for the municipality or county, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall accord such transferred sick leave credit the same status as if it had been earned as a State employee.
(c) Any employee covered by this section who retires on or after May 22, 1973, shall be given credit for all sick leave accumulated on May 22, 1973. (1967, c. 1187, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 1190, s. 8; 1973, c. 47, s. 2; c. 795, ss. 1-3.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-103 - Authority of clerk of superior court.

§ 7A-103. Authority of clerk of superior court.
The clerk of superior court is authorized to:
(1) Issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of any witness residing or being in the State, or to compel the production of any document or paper, material to any inquiry in his court.
(2) Administer oaths, and to take acknowledgment and proof of the execution of all instruments or writings.
(3) Issue commissions to take the testimony of any witness within or without the State.
(4) Issue citations and orders to show cause to parties in all matters cognizable in his court, and to compel the appearance of such parties.
(5) Enforce all lawful orders and decrees, by execution or otherwise, against those who fail to comply therewith or to execute lawful process. Process may be issued by the clerk, to be executed in any county of the State, and to be returned before him.
(6) Certify and exemplify, under seal of his court, all documents, papers or records therein, which shall be received in evidence in all the courts of the State.
(7) Preserve order in this court, punish criminal contempts, and hold persons in civil contempt; subject to the limitations contained in Chapter 5A of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
(8) Adjourn any proceeding pending before him from time to time.
(9) Open, vacate, modify, set aside, or enter as of a former time, decrees or orders of his court.
(10) Enter default or judgment in any action or proceeding pending in his court as authorized by law.
(11) Award costs and disbursements as prescribed by law, to be paid personally, or out of the estate or fund, in any proceeding before him.
(12) Compel an accounting by magistrates and compel the return to the clerk of superior court by the person having possession thereof, of all money, records, papers, dockets and books held by such magistrate by virtue or color of his office.
(13) Grant and revoke letters testamentary, letters of administration, and letters of trusteeship.
(14) Appoint and remove guardians and trustees, as provided by law.
(15) Audit the accounts of fiduciaries, as required by law.
(16) Exercise jurisdiction conferred on him in every other case prescribed by law. (C.C.P., ss. 417, 418, 442; Code, ss. 103, 108; 1901, c. 614, s. 2; Rev., s. 901; 1919, c. 140; C. S., s. 938; 1949, c. 57, s. 1; 1951, c. 28, s. 1; 1961, c. 341, s. 2; 1971, c. 363, s. 3; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1080, s. 5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-105 - Suspension, removal, and reinstatement of clerk.

§ 7A-105. Suspension, removal, and reinstatement of clerk.
A clerk of superior court may be suspended or removed from office for willful misconduct or mental or physical incapacity, and reinstated, under the same procedures as are applicable to a superior court district attorney, except that the procedure shall be initiated by the filing of a sworn affidavit with the chief district judge of the district in which the clerk resides, and the hearing shall be conducted by the senior regular resident superior court judge serving the county of the clerk's residence. If suspension is ordered, the judge shall appoint some qualified person to act as clerk during the period of the suspension. (1967, c. 691, s. 6; 1971, c. 363, s. 10; 1973, c. 47, s. 2; c. 148, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-106 - Custody of records and property of office.

§ 7A-106. Custody of records and property of office.
(a) It is the duty of the clerk of superior court, upon going out of office for any reason, to deliver to his successor, or such person as the senior regular resident superior court judge may designate, all records, books, papers, moneys, and property belonging to his office, and obtain receipts therefor.
(b) Any clerk going out of office or such other person having custody of the records, books, papers, moneys, and property of the office who fails to transfer and deliver them as directed shall forfeit and pay the State one thousand dollars ($1,000), which shall be sued for by the district attorney. (R.C., c. 19, s. 14; C.C.P., s. 142; Code, ss. 81, 124; Rev., ss. 906, 907; C.S., s. 943; 1971, c. 363, s. 5; 1973, c. 47, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-108 - Accounting for fees and other receipts; audit.

§ 7A-108. Accounting for fees and other receipts; audit.
The Administrative Office of the Courts shall establish procedures for the receipt, deposit, protection, investment, and disbursement of all funds coming into the hands of the clerk of superior court. The fees to be remitted to counties and municipalities shall be paid to them monthly by the clerk of superior court.
The operations of the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Clerks of Superior Court shall be subject to the oversight of the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1969, c. 1190, s. 9; 1971, c. 363, s. 10; 1983, c. 913, s. 5; 2009-516, s. 4.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-109.1 - List of prisoners furnished to judges.

§ 7A-109.1. List of prisoners furnished to judges.
(a) The clerk of superior court must furnish to each judge presiding over a criminal court a report listing the name, reason for confinement, period of confinement, and, when appropriate, charge or charges, amount of bail and conditions of release, and next scheduled court appearance of each person listed on the most recent report filed under the provisions of G.S. 153A-229.
(b) The clerk must file the report with superior court judges presiding over mixed or criminal sessions at the beginning of each session and must file the report with district court judges at each session or weekly, whichever is the less frequent. (1973, c. 1286, s. 5; 1975, c. 166, s. 22.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-109.2 - (Contingent expiration date - see notes) Records of dispositions in criminal cases.

§ 7A-109.2. (Contingent expiration date – see notes) Records of dispositions in criminal cases.
Each clerk of superior court shall ensure that all records of dispositions in criminal cases, including those records filed electronically, contain all the essential information about the case, including the identity of the presiding judge and the attorneys representing the State and the defendant. (1998-208, s. 2.)
§ 7A-109.2. (Contingent effective date – see notes) Records of dispositions in criminal cases; impaired driving integrated data system.
(a) Each clerk of superior court shall ensure that all records of dispositions in criminal cases, including those records filed electronically, contain all the essential information about the case, including the the name of the presiding judge and the attorneys representing the State and the defendant.
(b) In addition to the information required by subsection (a) of this section for all offenses involving impaired driving as defined by G.S. 20-4.01, all charges of driving while license revoked for an impaired driving license revocation as defined by G.S. 20-28.2, and any other violation of the motor vehicle code involving the operation of a vehicle and the possession, consumption, use, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, the clerk shall include in the electronic records the following information:
(1) The reasons for any pretrial dismissal by the court.
(2) The alcohol concentration reported by the charging officer or chemical analyst, if any.
(3) The reasons for any suppression of evidence. (1998-208, s. 2; 2006-253, s. 20.1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-109.3 - Delivery of commitment order.

§ 7A-109.3. Delivery of commitment order.
(a) Whenever the district court sentences a person to imprisonment and commitment to the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction pursuant to G.S. 15A-1352, the clerk of superior court shall furnish the sheriff with the signed order of commitment within 48 hours of the issuance of the sentence.
(a1) If the district court sentences a person under the age of 18 to imprisonment and commitment, the clerk of superior court shall furnish the detention facility approved by the Division of Juvenile Justice with the signed order of commitment within 48 hours of the issuance of the sentence.
(b) Whenever the superior court sentences a person to imprisonment and commitment to the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction pursuant to G.S. 15A-1352, the clerk of superior court shall furnish the sheriff with the signed order of commitment within 72 hours of the issuance of the sentence.
(c) If the superior court sentences a person under the age of 18 to imprisonment and commitment, the clerk of superior court shall furnish the detention facility approved by the Division of Juvenile Justice with the signed order of commitment within 48 hours of the issuance of the sentence. (1999-237, s. 18.10(c); 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2017-186, s. 2(b); 2020-83, s. 8(a); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(p), (z).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-109.4 - Records of offenses involving impaired driving.

§ 7A-109.4. Records of offenses involving impaired driving.
The clerk of superior court shall maintain all records relating to an offense involving impaired driving as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(24a) for a minimum of 10 years from the date of conviction. Prior to destroying the record, the clerk shall record the name of the defendant, the judge, the prosecutor, and the attorney or whether there was a waiver of attorney, the alcohol concentration or the fact of refusal, the sentence imposed, and whether the case was appealed to superior court and its disposition. (2006-253, s. 24.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-112.1 - Deposit of money held by clerks.

§ 7A-112.1. Deposit of money held by clerks.
The clerk of superior court shall deposit any funds that he receives by virtue of his office, except funds invested pursuant to G.S. 7A-112, in an interest-bearing checking account or accounts in a bank, savings and loan, or trust company licensed to do business in North Carolina, at the maximum feasible interest rate available taking into consideration prevailing interest rates and the checking account services provided to the clerk's office by the bank, savings and loan, or trust company. The funds deposited in such checking accounts shall be guaranteed to the same extent and in the same manner as funds invested pursuant to G.S. 7A-112. (1985, c. 475, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-113 - Bookkeeping and accounting systems equipment.

§ 7A-113. Bookkeeping and accounting systems equipment.
Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 147-64.6(10), proposed changes in the kinds of bookkeeping and accounting systems equipment employed by the clerk of superior court shall be subject to review and approval by the Office of State Budget and Management. The Administrative Officer of the Courts shall, prior to implementing any change in the kinds of equipment, file with the Office of State Budget and Management a request for approval of the change, along with supporting information. If within 30 days of the filing of the request the Office of State Budget and Management has not disapproved the request, the request shall be deemed to be approved. (1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1109, s. 9; 2000-140, s. 93.1(a); 2001-424, s. 12.2(b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 12 - Clerk of Superior Court. › § 7A-114 - Where practical, provision of secure area for domestic violence victims waiting for hearing.

§ 7A-114. Where practical, provision of secure area for domestic violence victims waiting for hearing.
Where practical, upon request of a domestic violence victim, the clerk of Superior Court of any county shall coordinate with the county Sheriff to make available to the victim a secure area, segregated from the general population of the courtroom, to await hearing of their court case. The Clerk shall notify the presiding judge on the date of the hearing that the victim is present in a segregated location. (2007-15, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 13 - Creation and Organization of the District Court Division. › § 7A-130 - Creation of district court division and district court districts; seats of court.

§ 7A-130. Creation of district court division and district court districts; seats of court.
(a) The district court division of the General Court of Justice is hereby created. It consists of various district courts organized in territorial districts. The numbers and boundaries of the districts are as provided by G.S. 7A-133. The district court shall sit in the county seat of each county, and at such additional places in each county as the General Assembly may authorize, except that sessions of court are not required at an additional seat of court unless the chief district judge and the Administrative Officer of the Courts concur in a finding that the facilities are adequate.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, when exigent circumstances exist within a judicial district, sessions of district court may be conducted at a location outside a county seat by order of the chief district court judge of a county, with the prior approval of the location and facilities by the Administrative Officer of the Courts and after consultation with the clerk of superior court and county officials of the county. An order entered under this subsection shall be filed in the office of the clerk of superior court in the county and posted at the courthouse within the county seat and notice shall be posted in other conspicuous locations. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1987, c. 509, s. 14; c. 738, s. 124; 2018-138, s. 2.12(b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 13 - Creation and Organization of the District Court Division. › § 7A-131 - Establishment of district courts.

§ 7A-131. Establishment of district courts.
District courts are established, within districts, in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) On the first Monday in December, 1966, the first, the twelfth, the fourteenth, the sixteenth, the twenty-fifth, and the thirtieth districts;
(2) On the first Monday in December, 1968, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, the seventh, the eighth, the ninth, the tenth, the eleventh, the thirteenth, the fifteenth, the eighteenth, the twentieth, the twenty-first, the twenty-fourth, the twenty-sixth, the twenty-seventh, and the twenty-ninth districts;
(3) On the first Monday in December, 1970, the seventeenth, the nineteenth, the twenty-second, the twenty-third, and the twenty-eighth districts. (1965, c. 310, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 13 - Creation and Organization of the District Court Division. › § 7A-132 - Judges, district attorneys, full-time assistant district attorneys and magistrates for district court districts.

§ 7A-132. Judges, district attorneys, full-time assistant district attorneys and magistrates for district court districts.
Each district court district shall have one or more judges and one district attorney. Each county within each district shall have at least one magistrate.
For each district the General Assembly shall prescribe the numbers of district judges, and the numbers of full-time assistant district attorneys. For each county within each district the General Assembly shall prescribe a minimum number of magistrates. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1967, c. 1049, s. 5; 1973, c. 47, s. 2; 2006-187, s. 7(b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 13 - Creation and Organization of the District Court Division. › § 7A-135 - Transfer of pending cases when present inferior courts replaced by district courts.

§ 7A-135. Transfer of pending cases when present inferior courts replaced by district courts.
On the date that the district court is established in any county, cases pending in the inferior court or courts of that county shall be transferred to the appropriate division of the General Court of Justice, and all records of these courts shall be transferred to the office of clerk of superior court in that county pursuant to rule of Supreme Court. (1965, c. 310, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 14 - District Judges. › § 7A-140 - Number; election; term; qualification; oath.

§ 7A-140. Number; election; term; qualification; oath.
There shall be at least one district judge for each district. Each district judge shall be elected by the qualified voters of the district court district in which he or she is to serve at the time of the election for members of the General Assembly. The number of judges for each district shall be determined by the General Assembly. Each judge shall be a resident of the district for which elected, and shall serve a term of four years, beginning on the first day in January next after election.
Each district judge shall devote his or her full time to the duties of the office. He or she shall not practice law during the term, nor shall he or she during such term be the partner or associate of any person engaged in the practice of law.
Before entering upon his or her duties, each district judge, in addition to other oaths prescribed by law, shall take the oath of office prescribed for a judge of the General Court of Justice. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1969, c. 1190, s. 11; 2005-425, s. 3.1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 14 - District Judges. › § 7A-141 - Designation of chief judge; assignment of judge to another district for temporary or specialized duty.

§ 7A-141. Designation of chief judge; assignment of judge to another district for temporary or specialized duty.
When more than one judge is authorized in a district, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall designate one of the judges as chief district judge to serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Chief Justice. In a single judge district, the judge is the chief district judge.
The Chief Justice may transfer a district judge from one district to another for temporary or specialized duty. (1965, c. 310, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 14 - District Judges. › § 7A-144 - Compensation.

§ 7A-144. Compensation.
(a) Each judge shall receive the annual salary provided in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, and reimbursement on the same basis as State employees generally, for his or her necessary subsistence expenses and for travel expenses when on official business outside the judge's county of residence. For purposes of this subsection, the term "official business" does not include regular, daily commuting between a judge's home and the court. Travel distances, for purposes of reimbursement for mileage, shall be determined according to the travel policy of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
(b) Notwithstanding merit, longevity and other increment raises paid to regular State employees, a judge of the district court shall receive as longevity pay an annual amount equal to four and eight-tenths percent (4.8%) of the annual salary set forth in the Current Operations Appropriations Act payable monthly after five years of service, nine and six-tenths percent (9.6%) after 10 years of service, fourteen and four-tenths percent (14.4%) after 15 years of service, nineteen and two-tenths percent (19.2%) after 20 years of service, and twenty-four percent (24%) after 25 years of service. "Service" means service as a justice or judge of the General Court of Justice, as a member of the Utilities Commission, as an administrative law judge, or as director or assistant director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Service shall also mean service as a district attorney or as a clerk of superior court. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1967, c. 691, s. 10; 1983, c. 761, s. 245; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1034, s. 165; c. 1109, ss. 11, 13.1; 1985, c. 698, s. 10(a); 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1100, s. 15(d); 1989, c. 770, s. 5; 2007-323, s. 28.18A(f); 2009-451, s. 15.17B(a); 2017-57, s. 35.4(g).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 14 - District Judges. › § 7A-147 - Specialized judgeships.

§ 7A-147. Specialized judgeships.
(a) Prior to January 1 of each year in which elections for district court judges are to be held, the Administrative Officer of the Courts may, with the approval of the chief district judge, designate one or more judgeships in districts having three or more judgeships, as specialized judgeships, naming in each case the specialty. Designations shall become effective when filed with the State Board of Elections. Nominees for the position or positions of specialist judge shall be made in the ensuing primary and the position or positions shall be filled at the general election thereafter. The State Board of Elections shall prepare primary and general election ballots to effectuate the purposes of this section.
(b) The designation of a specialized judgeship shall in no way impair the right of the chief district judge to arrange sessions for the trial of specialized cases and to assign any district judge to preside over these sessions. A judge elected to a specialized judgeship has the same powers as a regular district judge.
(c) The policy of the State is to encourage specialization in juvenile cases by district court judges who are qualified by training and temperament to be effective in relating to youth and in the use of appropriate community resources to meet their needs. The Administrative Office of the Courts is therefore authorized to encourage judges who hear juvenile cases to secure appropriate training whether or not they were elected to a specialized judgeship as provided herein. This training shall be provided within the funds available to the Administrative Office of the Courts for this training, and judges attending the training shall be reimbursed for travel and subsistence expenses at the same rate as is applicable to other State employees.
The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop a plan whereby a district court judge may be better qualified to hear juvenile cases by reason of training, experience, and demonstrated ability. Any district court judge who completes the training under this plan, which shall include trauma-informed training on recognizing and mitigating adverse childhood experiences and adverse community environments, shall receive a certificate to this effect from the Administrative Office of the Courts. In districts where there is a district court judge who has completed this training as herein provided, the chief district judge shall give due consideration in the assignment of juvenile cases where practical and feasible. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1975, c. 823; 1979, c. 622, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1; 2023-103, s. 7.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 14 - District Judges. › § 7A-148 - Annual conference of chief district judges.

§ 7A-148. Annual conference of chief district judges.
(a) The chief district judges of the various district court districts shall meet at least once a year upon call of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to discuss mutual problems affecting the courts and the improvement of court operations, to prepare and adopt uniform schedules of offenses for the types of offenses specified in G.S. 7A-273(2) and G.S. 7A-273(2a) for which magistrates and clerks of court may accept written appearances, waivers of trial or hearing and pleas of guilty or admissions of responsibility, and establish a schedule of penalties or fines therefor, and to take such further action as may be found practicable and desirable to promote the uniform administration of justice.
(b) The chief district judges shall prescribe a multicopy uniform traffic ticket and complaint for exclusive use in each county of the State not later than December 31, 1970. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1967, c. 691, s. 11; 1983, c. 586, s. 2; 1985, c. 425, s. 1; c. 764, s. 9; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 852, s. 17; 1991, c. 151, s. 1; c. 609, s. 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 900, s. 118(a); 1999-80, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 14 - District Judges. › § 7A-149 - Jurisdiction; sessions.

§ 7A-149. Jurisdiction; sessions.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a district court judge of a district court district which is in a set of districts as defined by G.S. 7A-200 has jurisdiction in the entire county or counties in which the district is located to the same extent as if the district encompassed the entire county, and has jurisdiction in the entire set of districts to the same extent as if the district encompassed the entire set of districts.
(b) All sessions of district court shall be for an entire county, whether that county comprises or is located in a district or in a set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A-200, and at each session all matters and proceedings arising anywhere in the county may be heard.
(c) All clerks of court for a county have jurisdiction over the entire county, notwithstanding that the county may be part of a set of districts. (1995, c. 507, s. 21.1(b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 16 - Magistrates. › § 7A-170 - Nature of office and oath; age limit for service.

§ 7A-170. Nature of office and oath; age limit for service.
(a) A magistrate is an officer of the district court. Before entering upon the duties of his office, a magistrate shall take the oath of office prescribed for a magistrate of the General Court of Justice. A magistrate possesses all the powers of his office at all times during his term.
(b) No magistrate may continue in office beyond the last day of the month in which the magistrate reaches the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges of the General Court of Justice specified in G.S. 7A-4.20. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1969, c. 1190, s. 13; 1977, c. 945, s. 2; 2013-277, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 16 - Magistrates. › § 7A-171.2 - Qualifications for nomination or renomination.

§ 7A-171.2. Qualifications for nomination or renomination.
(a) In order to be eligible for nomination or for renomination as a magistrate an individual shall be a resident of North Carolina, and the individual shall either be a resident of the county for which the magistrate is seeking nomination or renomination or a resident of a county that is contiguous to that county.
(b) To be eligible for nomination as a magistrate, an individual shall have at least eight years' experience as the clerk of superior court in a county of this State or shall have a four-year degree from an accredited senior institution of higher education or shall have a two-year associate degree and four years of work experience in a related field, including teaching, social services, law enforcement, arbitration or mediation, the court system, or counseling. The Administrative Officer of the Courts may determine whether the work experience is sufficiently related to the duties of the office of magistrate for the purposes of this subsection. In determining whether an individual's work experience is in a related field, the Administrative Officer of the Courts shall consider the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for the office of magistrate.
The eligibility requirements prescribed by this subsection do not apply to individuals holding the office of magistrate on June 30, 1994, and do not apply to individuals who have been nominated by June 30, 1994, but who have not been appointed or taken the oath of office by that date.
(c) In order to be eligible for renomination as a magistrate an individual shall have successfully completed the courses of basic training and annual in-service training for magistrates prescribed by G.S. 7A-177.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, an individual who holds the office of magistrate on July 1, 1977, shall not be required to have successfully completed the course of basic training for magistrates prescribed by G.S. 7A-177 in order to be eligible for renomination as a magistrate. (1977, c. 945, s. 6; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 769, s. 7.13(a); 2003-381, s. 1; 2021-146, s. 1; 2022-47, s. 5(a).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 16 - Magistrates. › § 7A-171.3 - Magistrate rules of conduct.

§ 7A-171.3. Magistrate rules of conduct.
The Administrative Office of the Courts shall prescribe rules of conduct for all magistrates not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States or inconsistent with the Constitution of the State of North Carolina. The rules of conduct shall apply to all magistrates and shall include rules governing the following:
(1) Standards of professional conduct and timeliness.
(2) Required duties and responsibilities.
(3) Methods for ethical decision making.
(4) Any other topic deemed relevant by the Administrative Office of the Courts. (2021-47, s. 13(a).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 16 - Magistrates. › § 7A-173 - Suspension; removal; reinstatement.

§ 7A-173. Suspension; removal; reinstatement.
(a) A magistrate may be suspended from performing the duties of the magistrate's office by the chief district judge of the district court district in which the magistrate's county of appointment is located. A magistrate may be removed from office by the senior regular resident superior court judge of, or any regular superior court judge holding court in, the district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A-41.1(a) in which the magistrate's county of appointment is located. Grounds for suspension or removal are the same as for a judge of the General Court of Justice.
(b) Suspension from performing the duties of the office may be ordered upon filing of sworn written charges in the office of clerk of superior court for the county in which the magistrate was appointed. If the chief district judge, upon examination of the sworn charges, finds that the charges, if true, constitute grounds for removal, the chief district judge may enter an order suspending the magistrate from performing the duties of the magistrate's office until a final determination of the charges on the merits. During suspension the salary of the magistrate continues.
(c) If a hearing, with or without suspension, is ordered, the magistrate against whom the charges have been made shall be given immediate written notice of the proceedings and a true copy of the charges, and the matter shall be set by the chief district judge for hearing before the senior regular resident superior court judge or a regular superior court judge holding court in the district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A-41.1(a) in which the magistrate's county of appointment is located. The hearing shall be held in a county within the district or set of districts not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days after the magistrate has received a copy of the charges. The hearing shall be open to the public. All testimony offered shall be recorded. At the hearing the superior court judge shall receive evidence, and make findings of fact and conclusions of law. If the judge finds that grounds for removal exist, the judge shall enter an order permanently removing the magistrate from office, and terminating the magistrate's salary. If the judge finds that no such grounds exist, he shall terminate the suspension, if any.
(d) A magistrate may appeal from an order of removal to the Court of Appeals on the basis of error of law by the superior court judge. Pending decision of the case on appeal, the magistrate shall not perform any of the duties of the magistrate's office. If, upon final determination, the magistrate is ordered reinstated, either by the appellate division or by the superior court on remand, the magistrate's salary shall be restored from the date of the original order of removal. (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1967, c. 108, s. 4; 1973, c. 148, ss. 3, 4; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, s. 18; 2022-47, s. 5(e).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 7A - Judicial Department › Article 16 - Magistrates. › § 7A-175 - Records to be kept.

§ 7A-175. Records to be kept.
A magistrate shall keep such dockets, accounts, and other records, under the general supervision of the clerk of superior court, as may be prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. (1965, c. 310, s. 1.)