North Carolina

2026 North Carolina General Election

Valene K. McMasters

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- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.

Criminal Justice

Property Rights

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

District Court Judge

Buket Urgen

Valene McMasters has a bachelor 27s degree from Cornell University and a law degree from Boston College Law. 

Valene McMasters - Ballotpedia

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Valene is a judge for the North Carolina 31st Judicial District. Before taking the bench, she was the managing attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. Before that, she was the family law supervising attorney at Legal Aid and worked as an associate at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.

Valene is currently a judge for Seat 1 of the North Carolina 31st Judicial District. She was elected in 2024. Valene previously served as a judge for the North Carolina 21st Judicial District. She was first appointed to the court in 2021 and re-elected in 2022.

Was the managing attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc.

As of January 5, 2026, Valene K. McMasters’s website did not contain information on this issue.