--- title: "Stephan Futrell | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephan-futrell" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Stephan Futrell 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/stephan-futrell) - [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/stephan-futrell) - [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/stephan-futrell) - [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/stephan-futrell", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephan-futrell", "name": "Stephan Futrell | KnowJudges", "description": "Stephan Futrell, North Carolina Superior 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/stephan-futrell#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephan-futrell#judge", "name": "Stephan Futrell", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephan-futrell", "jobTitle": "Senior Resident Superior Court Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "North Carolina Superior Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/stephan-futrell" ] }, { "@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": "Stephan Futrell", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/stephan-futrell" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Futrell’s practice has included litigation, insurance defense, municipal law, and other areas - Stephan R. Futrell is a judge of the Richmond County Superior Court in the 16A Judicial District of the North Carolina 3rd Superior Court Division ### Education - B.A. in Political Science and Government from Wake Forest University (1978) and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (1981) ### Additional information - Appointment: Named by Governor Roy Cooper in 2018 to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard Brown - He has been recognized for professional excellence, including Martindale-Hubbell peer awards ## 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.