The Fayetteville N.C. Legal Landscape in 2025

Fayetteville, North Carolina is a diverse community with a dynamic and complex legal system. Cumberland County, where Fayetteville sits, is the fifth most populous county in the state. The area owes a great deal of its development to the expansion of Fort Bragg over the past several decades. Many residents come and go with military assignments, while others have been here for generations.

Cumberland County’s bench of judges is one of the most diverse in the state. This is important to anyone with a pending legal matter. These judges often the decision makers that can make or break your case, depending on the circumstances.

Current District Court Judges in Cumberland County

• All ten of Cumberland County’s District Court Judges, who are elected on a county-wide basis, are Democrats.
• Seven out of ten of our District Court Judges are women.
• Our District Court Judges, listed below, are elected to four-year terms:
  • Cheri Siler-Mack (term ends in 2026)
  • Rosalyn Hood (term ends in 2026)
  • Frances McDuffie (term ends in 2026)
  • Tracey Henderson (term ends in 2026)
  • David Hasty (term ends in 2026)
  • Cullen Jordan (term ends in 2028)
  • Lou Olivera (term ends in 2028)
  • Toni King (term ends in 2026)
  • Caitlin Evans (term ends in 2026)
  • Tiffany Whitfield (term ends in 2028)

District Court Judges hear misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic tickets, domestic and divorce cases, juvenile cases, and civil matters where the amount in controversy is less than $25,000.

Current Superior Court Judges in Cumberland County

• District 12A – Stephen Stokes – Democrat (term ends in 2026)
• District 12B – Gale Adams – Democrat (term ends in 2028)
• District 12C – James “Jim” Ammons, Jr. – Unaffiliated (term ends in 2026)
• District 12C – George “Robby” Hicks – Republican (Term ends in 2030).

Superior Court Judges have “exclusive, original jurisdiction over all criminal not assigned to the district court.” They also hear any civil matter with an amount in controversy exceeding $25,000.

District Attorney and Other Offices

As you can see, the Democratic Party has a stronghold on our local politics. In addition to the judges referenced above, look to the following examples:

• Billy West, our long time District Attorney, whose office represents the State of North Carolina in criminal matters, is a Democrat.
• Andra Brewington, our Register of Deeds, is a Democrat.
• Lisa Scales, our Clerk of Superior Court, is a Democrat.
• Ennis Wright, our County Sheriff, is a Democrat. Sheriff Wright recently announced his retirement.

Outside of the court system, Fayetteville’s Mayor and the overwhelming majority of its city council members are all Democrats. However, it should be remembered that Fayetteville does retain a pocket of increasingly conservative voters.

The Richardson Firm: Built to Serve Fayetteville’s Legal Needs

Attorneys Matt and Billy Richardson have served their entire legal careers in their hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and they built a law firm to serve the needs of regular, every-day people in their community. They believe that every individual should have a right to a great attorney, no matter their circumstances, race or political affiliations. As our nation is becoming more and more divided along political lines, they still hold true to this belief. If you have a legal problem in Fayetteville, they can and will help you.

In addition to founding the firm, Billy Richardson served multiple terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Billy uses the connections, knowledge, and expertise he gained through decades in politics to obtain the best possible solutions for our clients.

Specifically, Matt and Billy Richardson and Patrick Anstead represent the citizens of Fayetteville and Southeastern, North Carolina in civil matters, including:

• Personal Injury
• Medical Malpractice
• Auto Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Eminent Domain and Property Law
• Insurance Disputes
• Civil Rights Violations
  

Family Law and Divorce in Fayetteville

The Richardson Firm has maintained a family law and divorce practice for several years, helping spouses and family members navigate the complex and intimidating system that governs domestic relations in the State of North Carolina.

In 2023, Attorney Melinda Flinn joined our law firm as a domestic attorney. Melinda has been practicing family law in Cumberland County for over twenty years, and she has gained a reputation as a steady and courageous advocate. She is well known by all of the District Court Judges in Cumberland County who hear domestic cases. Specifically, she serves the residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County in the following areas:

• Child custody and visitation
• Child support
• Alimony
• Equitable Distribution (Property and debt division)
• Divorce
• Annulment
• Separation agreements
• Contempt
• Termination of parental rights
• Adoption
• Collaborative Law
  • Melinda has trained and participated in the Collaborative Law aspect of family law as an alternative to litigation.

Fort Bragg Traffic Tickets and DWI

Residents of Fayetteville and Fort Bragg who are charged with a traffic offense on federal land will be ordered to appear to answer the charges in federal court. While there are numerous attorneys practicing traffic law in Fayetteville, there are few who are licensed to practice in Federal Court. Seeing this need, Attorney Patrick Anstead has developed a robust defense practice. Patrick routinely appears in federal court on behalf of military and non-military residents who receive traffic tickets and DUI/DWI charges on Fort Bragg.

Keep in mind, our firm can also assist you in county court for routine traffic offenses that occur outside of Fort Bragg. If you get a traffic ticket in Cumberland County, give us a call and avoid wasting a day (or more) at the courthouse.

Criminal Charges in Fayetteville

The attorneys at The Richardson Firm are well known in the community. Attorney Patrick Anstead routinely represents individuals charged with traffic, misdemeanor, and felony offenses in District and Superior Court. If you are charged with a criminal offense, a conviction could have a lasting and detrimental impact on your future. Do not go unrepresented. Get an attorney with experience and knowledge of Fayetteville’s court system.

The Richardson Firm: Local Attorneys for Local Problems

If you live in Fayetteville or Cumberland County, and you’re in need of an attorney, give us a call at 910-488-5050. If we are not able to assist with your specific issue, we can use the contacts in the Fayetteville area that we have developed over the years to get you pointed in the right direction.