Welcome to the NC District Court Judges microsite. District Court Judges decide cases involving general civil disputes, family matters, involuntary commitments of the mentally ill and criminal charges (mostly misdemeanors). Since the establishment of the North Carolina District Court system in the 1960s, the UNC School of Government has provided educational programs, written materials, and consultation to district courts judges. Faculty members with expertise in civil procedure, criminal law and procedure, family and juvenile law, court administration, and social services and mental health law produce books and other resource materials and provide educational programs for district court judges.