Phelps is a native of Washington County, and he returned to his home community to serve and give back.

Attorneys

Education

North Carolina Central University School of Law, Juris Doctor (cum laude), 2013
East Carolina University, Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Services (magna cum laude), Minor in Political Science, 2009
Creswell High School, Diploma, 2006

Civic
Criminal Division Private Assigned Counsel Chair, North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Founder, D. Cole Phelps Scholarship Foundation, Inc., 2013 – Current
Founder, D. Cole Phelps Holiday Invitational Tournament, 2019

D. Cole Phelps is a native of Washington County. He earned a Bachelor of Science in family and community services, with a minor in political science, from East Carolina University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He founded the D. Cole Phelps Scholarship Foundation, Inc. and the D. Cole Phelps Holiday Invitational Tournament.

D Cole Phelps

D. Cole Phelps is a native of Washington County. He earned a Bachelor of Science in family and community services, with a minor in political science, from East Carolina University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. 

Biography

D. Cole Phelps, is a proud graduate of North Carolina Central Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude with a juris doctor degree. He was the managing editor of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Law Review, vice president of his class, and recipient of the Floyd B. McKissick leadership award. Phelps is the founder and counselor at law at The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps, PLLC in Plymouth. His expertise is in criminal law, small business start-ups, family law, traffic tickets, estate planning, and real estate.

As a graduate of East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Community Services with a minor in Political Science, the East Carolina University Division of Student Affairs Office of Development recognized him with the prestigious 40 Under 40 leadership award. Dedicated to higher education, he returned to East Carolina University, where he has served on the faculty as an adjunct professor instructing courses in Family Law and Public Policy. Receiving high student reviews, Phelps sees his role in higher education as inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Cole currently works as an attorney and is the founder of The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps, PLLC in Plymouth. He previously served as an adjunct professor at East Carolina University, teaching Family Law and Public Policy.

Cole currently works as an attorney and is the founder of The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps, PLLC in Plymouth. He previously served as an adjunct professor at East Carolina University, teaching family law and public policy.

Political Experience
County Commissioner, Washington County Board of County Commissioners, 2012 – 2020
Democratic Nominee, North Carolina Senate District One, 2017-2018
Third-Vice Chair of the First Congressional District, North Carolina Democratic Party, 2013 – Current

Currently, he is serving his second term of office as a member of the Washington County Board of Commissioners representing the residents of District 1. During his public service, Phelps has established a stellar reputation for being a champion for education.

D. Cole PhelpsD. Cole Phelps (Democratic Party) ran for election to the North Carolina State Senate to represent District 1. Phelps lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

D. Cole Phelps - Ballotpedia

Cole previously served two terms as a county commissioner on the Washington County Board of County Commissioners from 2012 to 2020, representing District 1. He ran for the North Carolina State Senate's 1st District in 2018 but lost in the general election.

Cole has served two terms as a county commissioner on the Washington County Board of County Commissioners from 2012 to 2020, representing District 1. He ran for the North Carolina State Senate's 1st District in 2018 but lost in the general election.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As founder and attorney at The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps, PLLC, provides legal services in criminal, family, estate-planning, real-estate, traffic, and small-business matters.

- As founder and attorney at The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps, PLLC, provides legal services in criminal, family, estate-planning, real-estate, traffic, and small-business matters.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, D. Cole Phelps did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Founder, D. Cole Phelps Holiday Invitational Tournament, 2019
Trustee, Beaufort County Community College 2020 – 2021
Member, Epsilon Chi Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, 2020 – Current

Founded the D. Cole Phelps Holiday Invitational Tournament in 2019.

Is a member of the Epsilon Chi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Trustee, Beaufort County Community College 2020 – 2021
Member, Epsilon Chi Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, 2020 – Current
Trustee, North Carolina IOLTA Board, 2023-2026

Served as a trustee of Beaufort County Community College from 2020 to 2021.

- Served as a trustee of Beaufort County Community College from 2020 to 2021.

Community Involvement

Facebook

D. Cole Phelps

As of January 5, 2026, D. Cole Phelps’s website did not contain information on this issue.

2014 - THE LAW OFFICE OF D. COLE PHELPS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Attorney Phelps founded The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps Scholarship Program in 2014. As someone who was born and raised in Washington County, Attorney Phelps understands the importance of higher education. He believes that in today’s changing world, education is the key to success, especially coming from Washington County. Therefore, he wanted to establish the scholarship program so that our young people who are born and raised in Washington County will see the importance of giving back to the community that gave them so much. A famous person once said “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.” Attorney Phelps wants to lead by doing his part to invest in our youth.

D. Cole Phelps Scholarship

Founded a Washington County scholarship program to encourage young people to value education and give back to their community.

- Founded a Washington County scholarship program to encourage young people to value education and give back to their community.
- Founded the D. Cole Phelps Holiday Invitational Tournament in 2019.
- Served as a trustee of Beaufort County Community College from 2020 to 2021.
- Is a member of the Epsilon Chi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

D. Cole Phelps is from Washington County, North Carolina. He has a bachelor’s degree in family and community services from East Carolina University and a juris doctor degree from North Carolina Central Law School.

D. Cole is an attorney and the founder of The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps, PLLC in Plymouth. He also serves as an adjunct professor at East Carolina University, where he teaches courses in family law and public policy. 

D. Cole previously served as a member of the Washington County Board of Commissioners from 2012 to 2020. He ran for North Carolina State Senate District 1 in 2018 but did not win.

As the founder and counselor at law at The Law Office of D. Cole Phelps, PLLC, Phelps specializes in criminal law, small business start-ups, family law, traffic tickets, estate planning, and real estate.

Founder of the D. Cole Phelps Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

Serves as a trustee for the North Carolina IOLTA Board from 2023 to 2026.

Serves as a member of the Indigent Defense Committee for the Second Judicial District.

Member of the Recovery Court Committee for the Second Judicial District.

Buket Urgen

Lloyd Williams

- 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.