As a native of Rocky Mount, Judge Tonia A. Cutchin graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High in 1994. She graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. In 2003, she received a joint degree, a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University. Judge Cutchin is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and North Carolina. After graduation, Judge Cutchin represented major corporations and federal agencies as a corporate attorney in the District of Columbia. In 2005, she relocated to Greensboro to work in private practice. As an Associate Attorney, her practice included domestic, personal injury, and criminal law. Judge Cutchin represented numerous clients in the North Carolina District Court, Superior Court, United States Federal District Court for North Carolina (Middle and Western Districts), the United States Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, and licensed in the United States Supreme Court. Judge Cutchin served her community as an Assistant Public Defender for seven years, as the District Court Supervisor.
In 2016, Judge Cutchin was elected as a Guilford County District Court Judge. As a certified juvenile court judge, Judge Cutchin had the opportunity to preside over every type of case in district court. In 2022, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Judge Cutchin to the Superior Court bench. In 2024, she was reelected to another term.
Judge Cutchin is committed to ensuring that each citizen of North Carolina receives justice and fair representation as provided by the Constitution. She serves North Carolina with the hope of creating certain changes in this county by being actively involved in many community organizations. She currently serves the community as a board member of Caring Services, Piedmont School, sustaining member of the Junior League of Greensboro, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Guilford Inn of Court, Women’s Professional Forum, League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, and Chair of the Steward (Trustee) Ministry of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Judge Cutchin also served as an Executive Board member of the Guilford Education Alliance, Mental Health Associates of the Triad, Greensboro YWCA, President of the Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and Boy Scouts of America Troop Treasurer. She received the 2021 Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year, the Higher Heights Humanitarian Award, The Men & Women of Smith Leader of the Year, and was recently recognized on the nationally syndicated show, Good Morning America. Judge Cutchin has also served as a professor for over 17 years.
Judge Cutchin is the proud parent of one son, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He competed on the swim team, chess team, and soccer team while serving the community as an Eagle Scout for the Boy Scouts of America. He also served as a lifeguard and taught swim lessons and aquatic safety to children with disabilities. Currently, her son is pursuing his Master of Arts degree from North Carolina Central University, publishing several articles.
