--- title: "Billy Sutton | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/billy-sutton" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Billy Sutton North Carolina District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: North Carolina District Court - State: North Carolina - Role: District Court Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. Judge Sutton was appointed to the bench in 2015, and was elected to a four year term in 2016. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his Law degree from Campbell University. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Sutton served as an Assistant District Attorney in the fourth Judicial District and practiced law in Clinton For 25 years. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### remote proceedings Scope: statewide North Carolina law permits judicial officials to conduct proceedings by audio and video transmission, subject to statutory safeguards and case-specific limits. Evidence excerpt: Judicial officials may conduct proceedings of all types using an audio and video transmission in which the parties, the presiding official, and any other participants can see and hear each other. [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote testimony Scope: statewide For North Carolina civil jury proceedings, remote witness testimony requires a record finding of good cause. Evidence excerpt: In a civil proceeding involving a jury, the court may allow a witness to testify by audio and video transmission only upon finding in the record that good cause exists. [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### approved videoconferencing Scope: statewide North Carolina audio/video proceedings must use videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Evidence excerpt: All proceedings under this section shall be conducted using videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### official recording Scope: statewide North Carolina Judicial Branch guidance distinguishes official court reporters, digital recording technicians, and later transcription of official recordings. Evidence excerpt: A digital recording technician attends the court proceeding as well and is trained to use special recording equipment and technology to make a recording along with detailed notes of the proceeding. [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording availability Scope: statewide North Carolina states that not all court proceedings are recorded and identifies when audio recordings may be requested from the clerk. Evidence excerpt: If the clerk or digital recording technician made an audio recording of the proceeding, you may request a copy of the audio recording from the clerk's office in the county where the case is filed. [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/billy-sutton) - [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/billy-sutton) - [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/billy-sutton) - [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) - [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records) - [Governor Stein Announces District Court Appointment](https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/02/20/governor-stein-announces-district-court-appointment) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/billy-sutton", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/billy-sutton", "name": "Billy Sutton | KnowJudges", "description": "Billy Sutton, North Carolina District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/billy-sutton#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/billy-sutton#judge", "name": "Billy Sutton", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/billy-sutton", "jobTitle": "District Court Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "North Carolina District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/billy-sutton" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "North Carolina", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/north-carolina" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Billy Sutton", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/billy-sutton" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Before joining the judiciary, Sutton maintained his own private law practice, the Law Office of William B. Sutton, Jr., PLLC, in Clinton, North Carolina, from 1989 until 2015. - William B. Sutton, Jr. held the role of a judge on the 4th Judicial District Court of North Carolina, covering Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson counties ### Education ### Additional information - In February 2026, Governor Josh Stein announced that Sutton had retired and that Johnathon Naylor joined the same judicial district - His retirement in 2026 marked the end of his service, and the appointment of Johnathon Naylor ensures continuity in the district’s judicial leadership - He was re‐elected in 2016 after defeating Anita Powers in the general election - Appointed by former Governor Pat McCrory on January 9, 2015 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Leonard W. Thagard. - Registered as a Republican. - His legal work included handling civil and criminal cases