McDuffie has been an assistant public defender for Cumberland County since 2013. She’s held several board positions in Cumberland and Scotland counties. She received her law degree from North Carolina Central University and her bachelor of arts degree in English from Duke University.

Former teacher, public defender appointed to fill Cumberland judgeship

Frances McDuffie Britt earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Duke University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University.

Former teacher, public defender appointed to fill Cumberland ...

Former teacher, public defender appointed to fill Cumberland judgeship. More than a decade ago, Frances McDuffie was an English teacher at a preparatory school in Laurinburg.

Frances previously worked as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County and as an English teacher at a preparatory school in Laurinburg.

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed McDuffie as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County. She could end up ruling on cases that include driving while impaired to family law.

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed McDuffie as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert Stiehl in January. She expects to start next week.

District Court Judge District 14 Seat 2

Frances McDuffie Britt, Democrat, incumbent (December 2)

Here is who has filed for office in Cumberland County's 2026 elections

Frances currently serves as a District Court judge. She was appointed to Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County, to fill a vacancy.

Here's Who Has Filed For Office in Cumberland County's 2026 ...

2026 North Carolina General Election

Has served as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County since 2013, providing legal representation to criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

Was appointed to serve as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County.

- Has served as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County since 2013, providing legal representation to criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney.
- Was appointed to serve as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, Frances McDuffie Britt did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Said her public defender work exposed her to varied cases and would be an asset in her work as a judge.

While many lawyers do not stay long in the Public Defender’s Office because of lower pay than in private practice and the heavy workload, McDuffie said she enjoyed the job. “I loved it. It’s interesting. No two days are the same,” she said. “You go to court every single day. You have a multitude of clients with a multitude of different cases — from assaults to DWIs to traffic violations. The fortunate thing about being in the Public Defender’s Office is that unlike being in private practice, you don’t run a business. You just practice law. For someone coming out of law school, it is one of the best training grounds.” She said that training should be an asset as a judge “because you have already been exposed to a multitude of different cases that you are going to now be officiating over.”

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Held several board positions in Cumberland and Scotland counties.

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Frances McDuffie Britt

As of January 5, 2026, Frances McDuffie Britt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

She was raised in Scotland County in North Carolina. Her parents were both educators as well.

Judge Frances Britt: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Frances McDuffie Britt was raised in Scotland County, North Carolina. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Duke University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University.

Judge Frances Britt - Professional Background & Legal Expertise ...

She received a B.A. in English from Duke University. Britt then spent ten years as an English teacher at a preparatory school in Laurinburg before completing a J.D. at North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2013. While a law student, she was a summer associate at Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP (2012).

Frances McDuffie Britt worked as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County. She previously worked as an English teacher at a preparatory school in Laurinburg and as a summer associate at Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP.

And she said that experience teaching less fortunate students at the historically black prep school, combined with her recent years as an assistant public defender in Cumberland County, gives her a perspective that should be an asset in her new job.Gov. Roy Cooper appointed McDuffie as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County. She could end up ruling on cases that include driving while impaired to family law.

The Hon. Frances Britt is a judge for the Cumberland County District Court in the 12th Judicial District of North Carolina. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Roy Cooper in 2020, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Robert Stiehl.

Frances was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper in 2020 to fill a vacancy as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County.

Served as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County beginning in 2013.

Was appointed as a Cumberland County District Court judge by Governor Roy Cooper in 2020.

Worked as a summer associate at Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP while attending law school in 2012.

Said defendants are considered innocent unless proven otherwise.

McDuffie, 42, said the institute where she taught in Scotland County — which is where she grew up — was a preparatory school that had students from disadvantaged families from larger cities, many from out of state.

Frances McDuffie Britt grew up in Scotland County. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Duke University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University.

More than a decade ago, Frances McDuffie was an English teacher at a preparatory school in Laurinburg. Back then, if someone had told her that in 2020 she would become a District Court judge, she would have thought they were crazy, she said.

And she said that experience teaching less fortunate students at the historically black prep school, combined with her recent years as an assistant public defender in Cumberland County, gives her a perspective that should be an asset in her new job. Gov. Roy Cooper appointed McDuffie as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County. She could end up ruling on cases that include driving while impaired to family law.

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed McDuffie as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County. She could end up ruling on cases that include driving while impaired to family law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert Stiehl in January. She expects to start next week.

Frances was appointed as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County, to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert Stiehl.

Served as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County.

Frances McDuffie Britt earned a bachelor's degree in English from Duke University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University.

She received a B.A. in English from Duke University. Britt then spent ten years as an English teacher at a preparatory school in Laurinburg before completing a J.D. at North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2013.

Frances Britt | Trellis

Frances previously worked as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County. Before that, she was an English teacher at a preparatory school in Laurinburg.

District Court Judge District 14 Seat 1
Toni S. King, Democrat, incumbent (December 1)
District Court Judge District 14 Seat 2
Frances McDuffie Britt, Democrat, incumbent (December 2)
District Court Judge District 14 Seat 3

Here Is Who Has Filed For Office in Cumberland County’s 2026 Elections

Frances currently serves as a District Court judge for North Carolina District 14, Seat 2. She was appointed as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County.

Served as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County beginning in 2013, representing criminal defendants unable to afford an attorney.

Was appointed as a District Court judge in Judicial District 12, serving Cumberland County.

Frances is from Scotland County, North Carolina. She attended Duke University. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Duke University. She has a Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Frances McDuffie Britt is currently a judge for the Cumberland County District Court in the 12th Judicial District of North Carolina. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Roy Cooper in 2020, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert Stiehl.

As an assistant public defender in Cumberland County since 2013, began her legal career providing defense and representation to clients in criminal cases.

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.