A native of Warren County, Hunter graduated from Warren County High School. He received a bachelor of science degree from Appalachian State University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Ben Hunter sworn in as district court judge

Benjamin S. Hunter is sworn in as district court judge by Magistrate Al Kearney on Monday as his wife Meredith holds the Bible. Benjamin S. Hunter was sworn in as district court judge by Magistrate Al Kearney on Monday while his wife Meredith held the Bible.

Ben Hunter sworn in as district court judge | News ...

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Ben Hunter earned a bachelor's degree in English and secondary education from Appalachian State University, and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He currently lives in Warrenton, North Carolina. 

He is the son of recently retired Clerk of Superior Court Richard Hunter and Mary Hunter. Prior to his appointment as district court judge, Hunter worked as an assistant district attorney under District Attorney Mike Waters in both Vance and Franklin counties.

Ben currently works as a district court judge. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney, and was a high school English teacher before that. 

Hunter was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable J. Henry Banks who retired in January. Hunter will serve as a district court judge for Judicial District 9B in in Vance and Warren counties.

Ben currently serves as district court judge for North Carolina District 9B. He was appointed to the court in 2017 and is serving his second full term.

2026 North Carolina General Election

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 assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office.

- 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 assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office.

Legal Experience

District Court Judge Ben Hunter said Monday he would postpone all cases he oversees until at least two armed bailiffs are in his courtroom, which he said is the norm in every other county where he presides. "If people don't feel safe, if court staff don't feel safe, if attorneys don't feel safe, then something's broken," Hunter said.

Person sheriff to beef up courthouse security following fatal shooting :: WRAL.com

"Other judges and court staff have expressed concern about security, about there not being sufficient security were something like what happened on Thursday to occur. And then, it did," he said. "To still have just one bailiff in the courtroom [Monday] morning, I just felt like that wasn't sufficient."

Said he would postpone all cases he oversees until at least two armed bailiffs were in his courtroom, calling one bailiff insufficient.

- Said he would postpone all cases he oversees until at least two armed bailiffs were in his courtroom, calling one bailiff insufficient.

Judicial Administration

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

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Ben Hunter

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

Ben is a district court judge for Judicial District 9B in Vance and Warren counties. He works at the North Carolina District Court. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney under District Attorney Mike Waters in Vance and Franklin counties.

Ben Hunter is currently a district court judge for North Carolina’s Judicial District 9B in Vance and Warren counties. He was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper in January to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable J. Henry Banks, who retired that month.

As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted cases in Vance and Franklin counties prior to being appointed as a district court judge.

Pavel Tantchev

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.