Judge Matt Newton is a life-long resident of Charlotte and product of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system. He graduated from Myers Park High School at the age of 16 and later graduated from UNC-Wilmington at the age of 19. Judge Newton then received his law degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2004 while volunteering at a domestic violence clinic and serving as a law clerk specializing in civil litigation.

Meet Judge Newton

Biography Matt Newton graduated from Myers Park High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from UNC-Wilmington and a J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Matt Newton

Matt Newton is a lifelong resident of Charlotte. He earned a bachelor's degree from UNC-Wilmington and a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he volunteered at a domestic violence clinic.

Matt Newton - Ballotpedia

Matt Newton is a lifelong resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree from UNC-Wilmington and a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

After graduating law school, Judge Newton passed the bar exam and returned to Charlotte where he worked as a contract attorney assisting in multi-million dollar lawsuits. He also simultaneously started his own law firm which later became Newton & Arroyo, PLLC. For approximately fifteen years, Judge Newton practiced as a trial attorney in both State and Federal Court and his practice was recognized as one of “Charlotte’s Finest” law firms by Creative Loafing in 2015.

Matt Newton previously worked as a contract attorney and practiced as a trial attorney in state and federal courts. He also founded a law firm that later became Newton & Arroyo, PLLC.

Matt Newton (Democratic Party) is a judge of the North Carolina District Court District 26 Seat 16. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Newton (Democratic Party) ran for election for judge of the North Carolina District Court District 26 Seat 16. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

In 2017, Judge Newton was elected to the Charlotte City Council as the District 5 Councilmember. As a Councilmember, he served on the Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Housing, Environment, and Intergovernmental Relations committees. He also served as a Board Member of Smart Start (Mecklenburg Partnership for Children), Charlotte Works, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Incumbent Matt Newton won election in the general election for Charlotte City Council District 5 on November 5, 2019.

Matt currently serves as a judge of the North Carolina District Court, District 26, Seat 16. He was elected in 2022. Matt was elected to the Charlotte City Council as the District 5 councilmember in 2017 and reelected in 2019.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Serves as a North Carolina District Court judge, presiding over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issuing rulings and orders.

Worked as a contract attorney assisting with multimillion-dollar lawsuits after law school.

Founded a law firm that later became Newton & Arroyo, PLLC.

Practiced as a trial attorney in state and federal courts for approximately 15 years.

- Serves as a North Carolina District Court judge, presiding over cases within the court's jurisdiction and issuing rulings and orders.
- Worked as a contract attorney assisting with multimillion-dollar lawsuits after law school.
- Founded a law firm that later became Newton & Arroyo, PLLC.
- Practiced as a trial attorney in state and federal courts for approximately 15 years.

Legal Experience

In my courtroom, parties can expect to be treated fairly with a Judge who is willing to consider both sides. I have worked hard to improve courtroom workflows after the implementation of e-courts, regularly sit on both the judicial and standard domestic violence committees, and helped resolve our divorce docket logjam.

Announcements

Worked to improve courtroom workflows after electronic court systems were implemented and helped resolve a backlog in the divorce docket.

- Worked to improve courtroom workflows after electronic court systems were implemented and helped resolve a backlog in the divorce docket.

Judicial Administration

Over my first term, I have approached each day with energy, optimism, and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those who appear before me. Presiding in Domestic Violence, Criminal, and Family Law court has certainly been challenging at times, but it has also been profoundly fulfilling. Whenever I take the bench, I always strive to listen carefully, objectively apply the law, and render decisions that are reasoned, impartial, and just.

Whenever I take the bench, I always strive to listen carefully, objectively apply the law, and render decisions that are reasoned, impartial, and just. In my courtroom, parties can expect to be treated fairly with a Judge who is willing to consider both sides. I have worked hard to improve courtroom workflows after the implementation of e-courts, regularly sit on both the judicial and standard domestic violence committees, and helped resolve our divorce docket logjam.

As a trial attorney with over a decade of experience, it has also been my distinct pleasure to practice alongside you in both Civil and Criminal Court. I believe in decorum and professionalism, but know that being a capable and effective Judge requires more. As Judge, I will run an organized and compassionate courtroom. You can count on me to apply the law in an expedient, reasoned, and impartial way.

Strives to listen carefully, apply the law objectively, and issue reasoned, impartial decisions after considering both sides.

Pledges to run an organized, compassionate courtroom and apply the law promptly, reasonably, and impartially.

- Strives to listen carefully, apply the law objectively, and issue reasoned, impartial decisions after considering both sides.
- Pledges to run an organized, compassionate courtroom and apply the law promptly, reasonably, and impartially.

Judicial Philosophy

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

Ethics & Conduct

Judge Newton has served as a District Court Judge since 2022. During this time, he has presided over thousands of domestic violence, criminal, and family law court matters while assisting in youth mentoring programs and working towards full Juvenile Court Judge certification.

Served on the board of Smart Start, Mecklenburg Partnership for Children.

Served on the board of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Volunteered at a domestic violence clinic while attending law school.

- Served on the board of Smart Start, Mecklenburg Partnership for Children.
- Served on the board of Charlotte Works.
- Served on the board of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
- Assists with youth mentoring programs.
- Volunteered at a domestic violence clinic while attending law school.

Community Involvement

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- Worked as a contract attorney assisting with multimillion-dollar lawsuits after law school.
- Founded a law firm that later became Newton & Arroyo, PLLC.
- Practiced as a trial attorney in state and federal courts for approximately 15 years.

Matt is a judge of the North Carolina District Court for District 26, Seat 16. He has served in that role since January 1, 2023. He previously worked as a contract attorney assisting in multi-million-dollar lawsuits and then founded and led his own law firm, Newton & Arroyo, PLLC, where he practiced as a trial attorney in state and federal court for about fifteen years.

Matt Newton is currently a judge of the North Carolina District Court District 26 Seat 16. He was elected in the general election on November 8, 2022, and assumed office on January 1, 2023, beginning his first term. Previously, Newton served on the Charlotte City Council representing District 5; he was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in the general election on November 5, 2019. Newton also ran in the May 8, 2012 Democratic primary for the U.S. House to represent North Carolina’s 12th District but was defeated by incumbent Rep. Melvin L. Watt.

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.