JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

Since being elected in 2018, District Court Judge Daniel Hines Entzminger has served the Judicial District 3 in Pitt County, North Carolina. 

Being effective as a District Court Judge often requires presiding over a wide variety of cases. Judge Daniel Hines Entzminger has overseen thousands of cases during his time on the bench. He handles family law proceedings, domestic violence hearings, traffic court, involuntary commitment hearings, setting bonds for serious felony cases, child support court, and civil jury sessions.

Judge Entzminger understands that managing a case in traffic court is distinctly different from overseeing a child custody hearing. Certain courtrooms, such as traffic and child support court, typically have large dockets and demand judges to employ strong time management skills to process numerous cases efficiently. Conversely, family law and domestic violence hearings necessitate patience, attentiveness, and a solid understanding of the law to achieve fair outcomes. Judge Entzminger possesses the skill and experience to manage a broad range of District Court matters effectively, having served in every type of hearing found in District Court.

Additionally, Judge Entzminger collaborated with other judges to address the significant backlog of cases that resulted from Covid-19 court closures. The pandemic enforced extra precautions that limited courtroom capacities, leading to a buildup of unresolved cases. Thanks to the efforts of Judge Daniel Hines Entzminger and his fellow judges, this backlog was successfully eliminated.

In 2025, Judge Entzminger underwent extensive court system training focused on the implementation of the new E-courts filing system. This innovative system replaced traditional paper files with digital records, enhancing public access to court records. Judge Entzminger worked closely with attorneys, clerks, and other court personnel to implement this transformative system, which has revolutionized the way court cases are processed.

Judge Entzminger has pursued extensive training on many issues currently facing our District Courts. He remains informed about recently passed legislation, such as Iryna’s Law and the Pre-Trial Integrity Act. His ongoing court system training ensures that he stays compliant with the law while working efficiently for the people of Pitt County.

Most importantly, Judge Entzminger genuinely cares about the individuals who appear in District Court. He is known for his fairness, patience, and respectful demeanor while maintaining an orderly courtroom. Over the years, he has presided over thousands of cases as a District Court Judge, listening to many different voices. He understands that every individual deserves their day in court and recognizes that while every case may be unique, each person’s case holds significant importance.