Carrie grew up on a farm in western North Carolina and moved to Winston-Salem in 2000 to attend the UNC School of the Arts for high school where she played the oboe. She graduated from UNCSA in 2003 and completed her undergraduate degree in political science at Western Carolina University in 2006. Carrie was in the charter class at Elon University School of Law where she graduated in 2009 at the age of 22.

About Carrie | Carrie Vickery for District Court Judge

Carrie Vickery graduated from UNCSA in 2003, completed her undergraduate degree in political science at Western Carolina University in 2006, and graduated from Elon University School of Law in 2009.

Carrie Vickery graduated from UNCSA, completed her undergraduate degree in political science at Western Carolina University, and graduated from Elon University School of Law.

Prior to being elected to the judicial bench in 2016, Carrie practiced law at the Holton Law Firm. Her practice was almost exclusively in our trial courts. Carrie’s practice focused primarily on helping families and children but she also practiced in criminal defense, general civil litigation, juvenile cases, and traffic matters. Carrie also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Wake Forest University School of Law and loves teaching the next generation of law students. From 2010 until 2019, Carrie taught in the Paralegal Technology Program at Forsyth Technical Community College, teaching a variety of classes, including Family Law, Business Law and Corporate Law.

Carrie Vickery serves as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Law. She previously practiced law at the Holton Law Firm and taught in the Paralegal Technology Program at Forsyth Technical Community College.

After 10 years of service on the District Court Bench, Carrie is running for Superior Court 31B to serve as Forsyth County’s first female Superior Court Judge. Judge Vickery will bring a wealth of varied experience from her time in private practice and a decade of judicial experience from her service as a Forsyth County District Court Judge. Prior to being elected to the judicial bench in 2016, Carrie practiced law at the Holton Law Firm.

Carrie has served as a Forsyth County District Court judge since she was elected to the judicial bench in 2016.

Carrie has served as a Forsyth County District Court judge since 2016.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As an attorney at Holton Law Firm, represented clients primarily in trial courts in family, criminal defense, civil litigation, juvenile, and traffic cases.

As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As an attorney at Holton Law Firm, represented clients primarily in trial courts in family, criminal defense, civil litigation, juvenile, and traffic cases.
- As a state district court judge, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

“There was no family leave at all for staff of the judicial branch,” she recalled. “I was talking to one of my colleagues, who was a male and he said, ‘I don’t know why that’s necessary.’ And I just remember thinking, thank God we have women in places that are making these decisions. And you telling me it’s unnecessary is why it’s necessary.

That’s why I think it’s so important to have more women in more places because without Sherry Beasley as the chief justice, or without women in these other places where they’re able to make decisions that impact so many people, we wouldn’t have those things.”

Judge Carrie Vickery: Breaking Barriers: The History & Legacy of Women Judges in Forsyth County - WS Chronicle

Said that family leave for judicial-branch staff is necessary.

- Said that family leave for judicial-branch staff is necessary.

Judicial Administration

As of September 2, 2026, Carrie Vickery’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

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Carrie Vickery

- As an attorney at Holton Law Firm, represented clients primarily in trial courts in family, criminal defense, civil litigation, juvenile, and traffic cases.

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.

Trial Judge who hears criminal and civil cases