Carter was a program assistant at the Ford Foundation from 1994 to 1996. From 1996 until 2005, he was an attorney at the Legal Aid Society, working in the Federal Defender Division from 2000 to 2005 and in the Criminal Defense Division from 1996 to 2000. From 2005 to 2009 Carter worked for the Federal Defenders of New York.[2]
Federal judicial service
In 2009, Carter was appointed a United States magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He remained in the post until taking up his lifetime appointment in the Southern District in 2011. Carter was recommended for an Article III judgeship by Senator Chuck Schumer of New York.[3] On May 19, 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Carter to fill a seat on the Southern District of New York that was vacated by Judge Victor Marrero, who assumed senior status on December 31, 2010.[1] On September 15, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported his nomination to the Senate floor by voice vote. The Senate confirmed his nomination on December 5, 2011, by voice vote. He received his commission on December 8, 2011.[2]
Notable cases
Carter has presided over several high-profile cases, including the corruption trial of Norman Seabrook[4] and a breach of contract/copyright infringement trial involving the rapper Jay-Z.[5] In September 2024, Carter would be the second judge to deny bail to Sean "Diddy" Combs.[6]
