Final answer:
A North Carolina district court judge serves a four-year term, in contrast to federal judges who are appointed for life terms. State judges are elected and serve fixed terms, with the exact length varying by state and level of judicial position.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a North Carolina (NC) district court judge is four years. Unlike federal judges who are appointed for life, state judges in states like North Carolina are elected and serve fixed terms. The NC district courts are part of the state’s court system, which also includes the state supreme court, appellate courts, and other specialized courts such as probate and small claims courts. In the context of federal judges, it is important to note that they serve life terms as dictated by Article III of the Constitution, which is designed to foster judicial independence.
In Michigan, for instance, judges at all levels are elected and serve fixed terms, with variations in term lengths for different levels of judges such as supreme court justices (eight-year terms), court of appeals judges (six-year terms), and circuit court judges (also six-year terms).