--- title: "Kathryn Overby | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathryn-overby" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Kathryn Overby North Carolina District Court · Chief District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: North Carolina District Court - State: North Carolina - Role: Chief 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/kathryn-overby) - [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/kathryn-overby) - [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/kathryn-overby) - [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/kathryn-overby", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathryn-overby", "name": "Kathryn Overby | KnowJudges", "description": "Kathryn Overby, North Carolina District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathryn-overby#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathryn-overby#judge", "name": "Kathryn Overby", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathryn-overby", "jobTitle": "Chief District Court Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "North Carolina District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/kathryn-overby" ] }, { "@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": "Kathryn Overby", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathryn-overby" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - She has been serving her third term as a district court judge as of 2024 - Chief District Court Judge: Appointed in December 2023 by the North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, succeeding Judge Brad Allen - Before joining the judiciary, Overby held the role of an assistant district attorney from 1999 until her appointment in 2011. - The first female judge in Alamance County’s history - Kathryn W. Overby is a district court judge serving in Judicial District 15A for Alamance County, North Carolina, and is also the current chief district court judge for the county - Her leadership role as chief district court judge involves overseeing the administration of the county’s district court system ### Education ### Additional information - In 2023, she was elevated to chief district court judge following a controversy involving her predecessor’s conduct at a local bar association Christmas party - Appointed: January 24, 2011, by former North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue to replace Judge Wayne Abernathy - In that role, she prosecuted civil and criminal cases, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses - Overby presides over a variety of cases in Alamance County, including family law matters such as divorces. ## 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.