Harriss thanked his campaign committee; the citizens of the district; the district bar; his parents; and his wife, Jennifer. Harriss said without his wife’s support he would not be in this position.

Harriss sworn in as district judge

Despite his duties on the bench, Harriss said he plans to remain active in the Edenton community. He will continue serving on the boards of nonprofits such as the Boys & Girls Club of Edenton/Chowan County, for example. The only change, he said, is that he cannot fundraise on behalf of the groups.

Meader Harriss is married to Jennifer and said he would continue serving on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Edenton/Chowan County.

Meader W. Harriss, III - Ballotpedia

Meader Harriss earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston and a law degree from Campbell University's School of Law.

Career

Prior to his election to the bench, Harriss was an assistant public defender, a position he held since December 2008. Prior to that, he practiced law privately.[4]

Meader W. Harriss, III

Meader previously worked as an assistant public defender and practiced law privately.

Meader currently serves as a district court judge for North Carolina Judicial District 1. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Practiced law privately before becoming an assistant public defender.

- Practiced law privately before becoming an assistant public defender.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, Meader Harriss did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Harriss stressed the importance of fairness in reaching decisions. “The bottom line is being fair and impartial,” Harriss said during an interview Friday. “The law is the law. My job is to find the facts from what has been presented to me.” It is the responsibility of a judge to apply those facts to the law without any sway from anybody else or any consideration of personal opinion, Harriss said.

“The law is the law. My job is to find the facts from what has been presented to me.” It is the responsibility of a judge to apply those facts to the law without any sway from anybody else or any consideration of personal opinion, Harriss said.

Harriss also pledged to treat everyone who appears before him the same way. “I will treat every single person that appears in front of me with courtesy, dignity and respect,” he said.

Said judges should decide cases fairly and impartially by finding facts and applying the law without personal opinion or outside influence.

Pledges to treat every person appearing before the court with courtesy, dignity, and respect.

- Said judges should decide cases fairly and impartially by finding facts and applying the law without personal opinion or outside influence.
- Pledges to treat every person appearing before the court with courtesy, dignity, and respect.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Meader Harriss

Harriss sworn in as district judge | News | dailyadvance.com

As of January 5, 2026, Meader Harriss’s website did not contain information on this issue.

One thing he has no problem with is raising money for the Boys and Girls Club. Meader has been sitting on the board at the Boys and Girls Club of Edenton/Chowan County since he moved to Edenton. He loves working with young people.

Meader Harriss tag archive

Education

Harriss received his undergraduate degree from the College of Charleston in 2001. He went on to earn his J.D. in 2004 from Campbell University's School of Law.[3]

Meader Harriss earned an undergraduate degree from the College of Charleston and a law degree from Campbell University's School of Law. He has served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Edenton/Chowan County since moving to Edenton.

Meader Harriss | a mile in your shoes

Says judges should decide cases impartially by applying the facts presented to the law, without outside influence or personal opinion.

Pledges to treat everyone appearing before the court with courtesy, dignity, and respect.

Serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Edenton/Chowan County.

Meader is a district court judge for North Carolina's 1st Judicial District. He previously served as an assistant public defender. Before that, he practiced law privately. 

Meader is currently a district judge for the 1st Judicial District of North Carolina. He was first elected in 2014.

As an assistant public defender since December 2008 and previously practicing law privately, Harriss has significant legal experience.

Serves on the boards of nonprofits such as the Boys & Girls Club of Edenton/Chowan County.

Sahid Burgos

Buket Urgen

- 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.