About Judge J. Brian Ratledge

Elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, Judge Ratledge serves as a District Court Judge in Wake County, North Carolina, where he presides in Criminal Court and Civil Court. From April 2021 to July 2025, he was Lead Family Court Judge in Wake County, where his primary responsibilities involved Trials and Hearings on Child Custody, Domestic Violence, Criminal and Civil Contempt, Alimony and Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets and Debts. Since July 2025 to the present, he splits his time evenly between Civil Court and Criminal Court.

He was appointed to the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court’s Rules Advisory Commission, where he has served for 3 years. He also previously served on the Wake County Board of Elections for three years, with his final term in 2015-16 as Chairman.

He and his wonderful wife, Elizabeth, have three children, along with a golden Lab/Retriever. Judge Ratledge actively serves on the Elder Team at his church. He enjoys sports, exercise, and critical thinking, all while being intrigued by talk radio. He received his B.A. in Political Science (Honors Program) from the University of Tennessee and his J.D. from Campbell University.

Judicial Values and Philosophy

Consistent:

applying the Law equally

Fair:

administer Justice thoughtfully

Impartial:

holding people Accountable

Judicial Experience and Record

Conduct Trials, Hearings and Motions in Wake County Civil and Criminal Court

700+ Civil Family Court Trials: including Child Custody, Child Support, Equitable Distribution (Asset and Debt Division) and Contempt
200+ Trials/Hearings in Civil Domestic Violence Court
75+ Criminal Trials/Hearings in Criminal Court
Thousands of First Appearances in Criminal Court

Appellate Court Review

Asare v. Asare, 281 N.C. App. 217 (2022). Parallel cite: 869 S.E.2d 6.

Francis v. Brown, No. COA21-466 (N.C. Ct. App. May 17, 2022).

Horan v. Horan, No. COA22-203 (N.C. Ct. App. Dec. 20, 2022).

Pedrotti v. Pedrotti, No. COA22-273 (N.C. Ct. App. Dec. 20, 2022).

Kozec v. Murphy, 287 N.C. App. 241 (2022). Parallel cite: 882 S.E.2d 425.

Bracey v. Murdock, 286 N.C. App. 191 (2022), rev. denied (2023) (Mem.).

Pugh v. Pugh, No. COA21-652 (N.C. Ct. App. Mar. 21, 2023).

Shepenyuk v. Abdelilah, 290 N.C. App. 188, rev. denied (2023) (Mem.).

Davis v. Law, Nos. COA22-1053 & COA22-1054, rev. denied (2024) (Mem.).

Reiss v. Reiss, No. COA23-950 (N.C. Ct. App. Aug. 20, 2024).

Roorda v. Hukill, No. COA23-1055 (N.C. Ct. App. Nov. 5, 2024).

Lineman v. McElhaney, No. COA24-78, rev. denied (2025) (Mem.).

Stoeckel v. Stoeckel, No. COA24-865 (N.C. Ct. App. Oct. 1, 2025).

Morrow v. Morrow, 300 N.C. App. 60 (2025), rev. denied, 924 S.E.2d 826 (2026) (Mem.).