District Court is often called the "front line" of the North Carolina justice system. For most people who interact with the judicial system, District Court is their point of contact, meaning District Court Judges make decisions that more directly affect you than any other.

In North Carolina, District Court Judges hear most cases as "bench trials" - trials without a jury. In those cases, the judge alone is responsible for weighing the evidence and applying the law fairly. District Court Judges preside over:

• Family and Domestic Law: Matters of child custody, support, divorce, and equitable distribution, in addition to domestic violence protective orders (50Bs).
• Criminal and Traffic: From traffic violations and DWIs to misdemeanors, along with felony pleas and preliminary hearings for serious felonies.
• Civil Disputes: Conflicts involving contracts, property disputes, and landlord-tenant issues involving amounts up to $25,000.
• Juvenile Justice and Protection: All matters involving minors - both delinquency (crimes committed by youth) and matters involving juvenile victims of abuse, neglect, and dependency.

Ultimately, a District Court Judge interacts with people in distress as much as any other elected official. They don't just interpret the law; they solve problems that affect people's daily lives.