Judge Susan “Smitty” Dotson-Smith of Weaverville is a District Court judge for the 28th Judicial District (Buncombe County). She was appointed to the bench in 2012 and elected to four-year terms in 2014 and 2018.

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Judge Dotson-Smith is a graduate of Duke University and Wake Forest University School of Law. She spent 20 years in private practice including mediation prior to becoming the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court in 2011.

Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith is from Weaverville. She graduated from Duke University and Wake Forest University School of Law.

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Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith graduated from Duke University and Wake Forest University School of Law.

Susan previously worked as the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court and in private practice, including mediation.

Susan serves as a District Court judge for the 28th Judicial District in Buncombe County. She was appointed to the bench in 2012 and elected to four-year terms in 2014 and 2018.

Susan serves as a District Court judge for the 28th Judicial District in Buncombe County. She was appointed to the bench in 2012.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Serves as a District Court judge in Buncombe County.

As a District Court judge in Buncombe County,  she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Practiced law in private practice for 20 years, including mediation.

Worked as the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court beginning in 2011.

- As a District Court judge in Buncombe County,  she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- Practiced law in private practice for 20 years, including mediation.
- Worked as the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court beginning in 2011.

Legal Experience

“We have a really long history of doing positive things for the community as a bar,” District Court Judge Susan Dotson-Smith stressed in an interview regarding the proposal to split District 28. “And part of the reason why is we have avoided the divisiveness that comes from (such an) artificial split in the district. It disenfranchises the voters.”

Buncombe County Stands to Lose Under Proposed Judicial Changes – The Urban News

Mentioning such county-focused accomplishments as the Mediation Center, specialty courts, and a focus on pro bono services, Dotson-Smith stressed, “We can do this as a united bar.” She believes, therefore, that instead of looking at what’s wrong, any move to redraw judicial districts should first look at what’s right. “And single county districts appear to be working,” she stressed.

Opposes splitting Judicial District 28, saying that an artificial division would disenfranchise voters and undermine the effectiveness of a united bar.

- Opposes splitting Judicial District 28, saying that an artificial division would disenfranchise voters and undermine the effectiveness of a united bar.

Judicial Administration

As of January 5, 2026, Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Serves on the Chief Justice’s Commission on Fairness and Equity.

She is currently a member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Fairness and Equity, the Board of Governors for the NC Association of District Court Judges, the Buncombe County Pro Bono committee, the Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, the coordinating committee for the proposed NC Chapter for the Association of Family and Conciliation, and the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys.

Serves on the Buncombe County Pro Bono committee.

Serves on the Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

Community Involvement

Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith

As of January 5, 2026, Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judge Susan “Smitty” Dotson-Smith of Weaverville is a District Court judge for the 28th Judicial District (Buncombe County). She was appointed to the bench in 2012 and elected to four-year terms in 2014 and 2018. Judge Dotson-Smith is a graduate of Duke University and Wake Forest University School of Law. She spent 20 years in private practice including mediation prior to becoming the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court in 2011.

Susan (Smitty) Dotson-Smith is from Weaverville. She is a graduate of Duke University and Wake Forest University School of Law.

Judge Dotson-Smith is a graduate of Duke University and Wake Forest University School of Law. She spent 20 years in private practice including mediation prior to becoming the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court in 2011. Judge Dotson-Smith has been recognized for outstanding service by the 28th Judicial District Bar (now Buncombe County Bar) and Pisgah Legal Services.

Susan “Smitty” Dotson-Smith previously spent 20 years in private practice, including mediation, and served as the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court.

Susan was appointed to the District Court bench for the 28th Judicial District in 2012 and elected to four-year terms in 2014 and 2018.

Serves as a District Court judge in North Carolina's 28th Judicial District.

Practiced law for 20 years in private practice, including mediation.

Served as the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court beginning in 2011.

Provided leadership for the 4ALL Statewide Service Day.

Susan is from Weaverville, North Carolina. She attended Duke University. She has a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a Juris Doctor degree in law from Wake Forest University School of Law.

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Susan is a District Court judge. She works at the Buncombe County District Court, where she has served since her appointment to the bench in 2012. She previously practiced law in private practice for 20 years, including mediation, and served as the primary hearing clerk for the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court.

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Susan ‘Smitty’ Dotson-Smith is currently a District Court judge representing the 28th Judicial District (Buncombe County). She was appointed to the bench in 2012 and subsequently elected to four-year terms in 2014 and 2018.

As the primary hearing clerk for the Clerk of Superior Court since 2011, Dotson-Smith has 20 years of experience in private practice, including mediation.

Isaac Brickman

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.