---
title: "James Ammons | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-ammons"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# James Ammons

North Carolina Superior Court · Senior Resident Superior Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Carolina Superior Court
- State: North Carolina
- Role: Senior Resident Superior 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/james-ammons)
- [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/james-ammons)
- [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/james-ammons)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- James Floyd Ammons Jr. is a North Carolina Superior Court judge for Judicial District 12C of the 3rd Superior Court Division, with a term ending in 2026, and is currently overseeing North Carolina’s long-running Leandro education funding lawsuit
- Began his legal career as an assistant district attorney, later serving as a district court judge and a superior court judge in Cumberland County
- The commission found that a private attorney had provided the motions to Ammons at a new district attorney’s swearing-in ceremony, and the orders lacked required affidavits or evidence
- He succeeded Judge Michael Robinson, who stepped down to focus on business court cases

### Education

- Both his undergraduate degree and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

### Additional information

- In December 2022, Ammons was appointed by North Carolina’s State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby to preside over the Leandro education adequacy case — a 29-year-old lawsuit challenging the state’s school funding system.
- He was re-elected in 2018 for his Judicial District 12C seat, which was created under House Bill 717 that restructured the state’s superior courts
- In 2011, the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission publicly reprimanded him for granting motions to strike convictions and order new trials before the motions were formally filed.
- overseeing litigation, and ensuring the case is disposed of in accordance with court orders
- As the assigned judge, Ammons is responsible for setting hearings
- Ammons has faced two public disciplinary actions during his career, which is rare for judges.



## 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) — 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.
