New 4th Judicial District Chief District Court Judge is first woman to hold position

A change in leadership is coming to North Carolina’s 4th district. The chief district court judge is retiring, and a new one has been appointed.

The fourth district will now have its first woman, Sarah Seaton, as chief district court judge. She is proceeding retiring Judge Paul Hardison, who citizens say has made an impact in his 29 years on the bench.

North Carolina's 4th Judicial District covers Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson counties.

After nearly three decades as chief district court judge for the 4th district, Judge Paul Hardison is retiring.

Filling his seat is Judge Sarah Seaton. Seaton is the first woman to hold this position for the district. Judge Hardison said, he’s seen the district’s caseload increase over the years and Judge Seaton agrees and hopes she can continue Hardison’s work to get cases in the courtroom sooner, rather than later.

"I'm nervous because Judge Hardison has been very special to this district. So I'm a little intimidated that I'm going to step into the shoes that he's leaving," said Judge Seaton.

Judge Hardison had his last day in court Wednesday and his retirement is official December first.

He said he hopes his impact has been a positive life change for some. "I hope that I've helped change the direction of some people, and put them on a new path,” said Judge Hardison.

Judge Seaton has been a district court judge since 1999, and before that, she was an assistant district attorney for 13 years.

Seaton is officially the new chief judge on December 1st, 2019.

The legislature added a judge to the 4th district to help manage the increasing caseload. That judge will be chosen in the next elections.