William (Bill) Jones

- 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

William (Bill) is a District Court Judge for Judicial District 43 in North Carolina. He works at the North Carolina District Court, where he has been since his appointment by Governor Josh Stein in February 2025. He previously worked as a solo practitioner for more than 20 years, handling domestic and criminal cases, and as an assistant district attorney.

William Jones (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia

Governor Stein Announces District Court Appointment | NC Governor

Governor appoints new WNC judge

New district court judge has more than two decades of Haywood ties ...

William (Bill) Jones previously ran for the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners in 2009 but did not win. He was a Democratic candidate for District 40 of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012 but did not win. He was appointed as a District Court Judge for North Carolina’s District 43 in 2025 to fill the vacancy created after Judge Roy Wijewickrama was appointed to the Superior Court in November 2024.

Received a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

As of January 5, 2026, William (Bill) Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.