Organization of NC State Courts NC Supreme Court NC Court of Appeals NC Superior NC District Courts

NC State Judges Elected by the people No specific qualifications District judges – 4 year terms All other judges – 8 year terms Can be impeached and removed from office

NC Court System NC District Courts (46 in NC) Trial Courts – every county has a district and superior court supported by Sheriff Dept., DAs, and magistrates NC District Courts (46 in NC) Tries misdemeanors (smaller crimes), juvenile law, divorce and family law, traffic violations, and small civil cases (less than $10k), NO jury used, 1 judge NC Superior Courts – Tries felonies (severe crimes) and large civil cases (over $10k), ONLY NC court to use a jury, 1 judge

Other Judicial Officers Clerk of (Superior) Court – elected by voters Responsibilities – debt collection/foreclosure (approval of property sale), puts a county seal on wills Magistrate – issues search and arrest warrants, appointed by superior court judge District Attorney – represents the state in criminal cases in district and superior court, juvenile delinquency cases Court appointed attorney or public defender

Appellate Courts NC Court of Appeals – Court used by individuals to get original verdict overturned, does NOT have a jury, 15 judges who in hear cases in groups of 3 NC Supreme Court – Highest court in NC, does NOT have a jury, 7 justices