South Raleigh News

Governor Josh Stein has announced new appointments to the Superior and District Courts. These appointments aim to fill vacancies left by retiring or elected judges.

Judge Stephen C. Stokes will join the Superior Court for Judicial District 14A, covering part of Cumberland County. He replaces Judge Claire Hill, who recently retired. Stokes has a diverse legal background, having served as a District Court Judge in Cumberland County and in various roles within the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, including Prosecutor and Defense Attorney positions. His education includes degrees from Florida State University and Webster University.

Scott Skidmore is appointed to the District Court for Judicial District 22, serving Rockingham and Caswell Counties. This position became available after Judge Chris Freeman was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Skidmore has been a partner at Farver, Skidmore & Hux, LLP for thirty years, focusing on criminal defense and real estate law. He holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Samford University's Cumberland School of Law.

Chris Brooks will serve in the District Court for Judicial District 10F in Wake County, filling a vacancy created by Judge Jennifer Bedford's election to the Superior Court. Brooks has worked with the North Carolina Department of Justice since 2006 in both its Transportation and Criminal Divisions. He graduated from the University of North Carolina and Campbell University's Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

“These public servants have a wealth of legal experience to draw on, and I am pleased to appoint them to serve as judges,” stated Governor Stein. “I am confident in their judgment and expertise, and I look forward to their service on the Superior and District Courts.”