Valerie Zachary at a glance
- Current role
- Court of Appeals Judge
- Jurisdiction
- North Carolina · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Judge Zachary received her Juris Doctor cum laude from the Harvard Law School in 1987. In 1984, Judge Zachary graduated from Michigan State University, obtaining her Bachelor of Arts with honors in Multidisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in French, Economics, and Political Science. In 2015, Governor Pat McCrory appointed Judge Zachary to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Following a statewide race, North Carolina voters elected Judge Zachary to an eight-year term in 2016. Judge Zachary was reelected to another eight-year term in 2024.
Court of Appeals Judge · North Carolina Court of Appeals
Born 1962
North Carolina law permits judicial officials to conduct proceedings by audio and video transmission, subject to statutory safeguards and case-specific limits.
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. ↗
For North Carolina civil jury proceedings, remote witness testimony requires a record finding of good cause.
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. ↗
North Carolina audio/video proceedings must use videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
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. ↗
North Carolina Judicial Branch guidance distinguishes official court reporters, digital recording technicians, and later transcription of official recordings.
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 ↗
North Carolina states that not all court proceedings are recorded and identifies when audio recordings may be requested from the clerk.
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 ↗
Identity source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Statewide source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission. ↗Statewide source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
View Obtaining Court Records ↗