Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly Passed Legislation To Rein In Radical Judges

This week, the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 377 “2026 Court Changes” sending it to Governor’s Stein’s desk for his signature or veto. The legislation passed along partisan lines, 62-45 in the House and 26-11 in the Senate.  

A key provision in this legislation is that it provides Supreme Court justice more power to publicly reprimand, censure, suspend, or remove trial judges from office for misconduct.  

Additionally, it authorizes the Chief Justice to suspect district or superior court judges without pay while an investigation or disciplinary proceeding is pending, with the recommendation of the state’s Judicial Standards Commission.

Speaker Destin Hall said, “All North Carolinians deserve judges who exercise sound judgment and uphold the highest standards of conduct. When they don’t, or when their actions put law-abiding citizens in harm’s way, there should be meaningful consequences. This legislation gives our courts stronger tools to hold those judges accountable.” 

The changes come a week after a convicted killer in Charlotte shot two people—killing one—less than two hours after being released from jail on bond despite facing a firearm possession charge.