--- title: "Christopher Welch | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-welch" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Christopher Welch North Carolina District Court ยท District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: North Carolina District Court - State: North Carolina - Role: District Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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/christopher-welch) - [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/christopher-welch) - [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/christopher-welch) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-welch", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-welch", "name": "Christopher Welch | KnowJudges", "description": "Christopher Welch, North Carolina District Court. 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Welch is a judge of the 4th Judicial District Court of North Carolina, appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in 2019 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon - Board Certified as a Specialist in State Criminal Law and previously held the role of an assistant district attorney for Duplin and Onslow counties - Before becoming a judge, Welch was a partner at Welch & Avery, a criminal defense and family law firm in Onslow County, NC. ### Education ### Additional information - Appointed in 2019 to succeed the retiring Hon. - Onslow County Teen Court Board and was treasurer of the 4th Judicial District Bar. - His legal career includes handling both felony and misdemeanor cases in the Cape Fear area - He has expressed that his goal in serving as a judge is to ensure that all litigants feel their cases were heard fairly and with dignity - He has been recognized as a โ€œ40 Under 40โ€ criminal defense attorney and among the Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys by the American Society of Legal Advocates - 4th Judicial District Court of North Carolina, which covers Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson counties. - Born in Washington, D.C., Welch is the son of a late attorney. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-500acdaa0896376dfa44b76d) โ€” Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html). Collected 2026-07-26.