North Carolina’s state Supreme Court ordered District Judge James M. Honeycutt to stop using modifications instituted by him in his courtroom. Wording of the "call to order" when he first enters and witnesses’ oaths promising to tell the truth were changed by Judge Honeycutt, both to omit the mention of God.

Honeycutt revised what witnesses say, leaving out the phrase "so help me God." instead of using the oath spelled out in state law. Although the standard oath includes mention of God, North Carolina law allows witnesses the option of "affirming" their intention to be truthful instead of using a reference to God.

Judge Honeycutt also ordered his bailiffs to begin court sessions without the proclamation including "God save the state and this honorable court." According to complaints by court officials in two counties, Honeycutt threatened to hold several bailiffs in contempt if they continued to use the phrase.

In March Honeycutt told officials he was making the changes because of the "increasing number of non-Christians and people of diverse beliefs served by the court system."

A number of court clerks and bailiffs had reportedly refused to follow the judge’s orders.