NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 02
The North Carolina Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court. Currently 15 judges hear cases in panels of three. The Court of Appeals reviews the proceedings that occurred in the trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure; it decides only questions of law – not questions of fact. The role of the Court of Appeals is to decide if the trial court correctly applied the law, or if there was prejudicial error in the conduct of the trial. The majority of cases appealed from the Superior and District courts in civil and criminal cases are heard by the Court of Appeals. One major exception is capital murder appeals in which the death penalty was imposed; these appeals go directly to the Supreme Court of North Carolina. In addition, direct appeals from certain of the state’s administrative agencies are heard by the Court of Appeals.Click here to view the NC Judicial Guide: 2026 General Election
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George Cooper Bell
(REP)
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Tobias (Toby) Hampson
(DEM)
What experience and skills make you the best candidate for this office? (Max. 750 characters)
You are running for a partisan judicial position. What role does the platform of your political party play in your work as a judge on the court? (Max. 750 characters)
What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to justice and do you think there is a role you should play to address these obstacles? (Max. 750 characters)
Additional Comments (Max. 1000 characters)
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Position/philosophy statement
I'm running for re-election to the Court because we need to keep Judges on the Court of Appeals: with actual Court of Appeals experience; that uphold the Rule of Law and your basic rights; and serve the people not a partisan agenda.
Current Occupation
Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals
Age (optional)
50
Campaign Phone
919-218-6773
I have dedicated my career to the NC Court of Appeals. I began my career in 2002 as a law clerk to Judges on the Court. I entered private practice in 2004, where I was a litigator in trial courts around the state and in our appellate courts. From 2007-2018, I focused on appeals in the NC Court of Appeals and NC Supreme Court. I am certified as a specialist by the NC State Bar in handling appeals. I have served on the NC Bar Association's Appellate Rules Committee.
I have been a Court of Appeals judge since 2019 and authored hundreds of opinions - the vast majority of which are unanimous and bipartisan.
It reinforces that Judges must be independent and impartial. It reminds me that Judges should serve the people and not partisan agendas. That Judges should treat everyone with respect, dignity, humanity, and ensure everyone is heard and getting a fair shake.
The greatest obstacle to justice is the sheer cost: financial, emotional, and time. We should work to treat people with compassion and respect. We should try to decide their cases in a timely fashion. We should follow the rule of law. We should understand our decisions impact real people. We should continue to advocate for funding for legal assistance for those that cannot afford it.
It has been an honor to serve you on the NC Court of Appeals for the past 7.5+ years. I hope I have earned your trust to continue you serving you and ask for your vote. Thank you.
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