History of Judicial Attacks in North Carolina

North Carolina’s courts have long been a cornerstone of our democracy, meant to stand independent of partisan influence and protect the rights of all people. Yet over the past decade, the judiciary has faced a relentless series of political attacks designed to weaken its independence, shift power, and tilt outcomes in favor of partisan interests.
 

This timeline documents the steady erosion of judicial safeguards in our state, from the repeal of public financing for judicial elections in 2013, to repeated efforts at court-packing, partisan redistricting, and legislation that strips power from judges, governors, and even the Attorney General. It also highlights recent attempts to intimidate justices, undermine election results, and reshape our courts to serve political agendas rather than the public good.
 

By tracing these pivotal moments, we can see a clear pattern: an effort to dismantle the checks and balances that protect North Carolinians’ rights. Understanding this history is essential to building public awareness, defending judicial independence, and ensuring that our courts remain fair, impartial, and accountable to the people—not politicians.