---
title: "Jessica Locklear | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jessica-locklear"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Jessica Locklear

North Carolina Superior Court · Special Superior Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Carolina Superior Court
- State: North Carolina
- Role: Special 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/jessica-locklear)
- [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/jessica-locklear)
- [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/jessica-locklear)
- [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

- Joined the Second Judicial Division as a Special Superior Court Judge for a term running from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2031
- The first Indian American woman to serve as a Superior Court Judge in North Carolina, appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly for an eight‐year term starting January 2024

### Education


### Additional information

- Her academic work focuses on Lumbee migration, identity, and racial hierarchies in the 20th century
- Her appointment was made by the Speaker of the House as one of seven new judges selected that year.
- She serves in District 20 of the North Carolina Judicial Branch and is also listed on the Superior Court’s special superior court judges roster
- She grew up in Pennsylvania after her grandmother migrated from Robeson County, but has deep ties to her tribal homelands.
- Locklear is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River.



## 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.
