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# Sarah E. Parker

Supreme Court of North Carolina · Retired Chief Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
- State: North Carolina
- Role: Retired Chief Justice
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-15

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Chief Justice: Appointed by Governor Mike Easley in 2006; elected for a full term in 2006; served until mandatory retirement in August 2014
- Sarah Elizabeth Parker is an American judge best known for her service as Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 2006 to 2014
- Judge, Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1993-2014
- Judge, Court of Appeals of North Carolina, 1984-1992

### Education

- J.D. — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 1969
- UNC Chapel Hill School of Law — J.D. (1969)
- BA — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

### Additional information

- First elected to the court in 1992, and then again in 1996, and 2004.
- Practitioner, 1992-1992
- Practitioner, 1983-1983
- Born August 23, 1942, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Date of birth: 1942-08-23

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/5303/sarah-e-parker/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5303/sarah-e-parker/)
- [Supreme Court of North Carolina current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5303/sarah-e-parker/)
- [Sarah Parker retired as chief justice at the end of August 2014](https://www.nccourts.gov/news/tag/general-news/justice-mark-martin-sworn-in-as-supreme-court-chief-justice)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5303/sarah-e-parker/)
- [Sarah Parker - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Sarah_Parker)

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