Sarah Neely Lanier

- 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.

Criminal Justice

Property Rights

North Carolina

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

District Court Judge

Buket Urgen

Sarah Neely Lanier is from Asheboro, North Carolina. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the College of Charleston and a law degree from Elon University. She and her husband, Capt. Jeremy Lanier of the Randolph County Sheriff 27s Office, have a son.

Class Notes November 2024

Building a family legacy from the bench | Today at Elon | Elon ...

Sarah is a judge on the North Carolina District Court, District 37.

Sarah is currently a district court judge with the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. She was elected in 2018 and is currently serving her first term.

Class Notes

Has experience in family law and working with youth offenders.

As of January 5, 2026, Sarah Neely Lanier’s website did not contain information on this issue.