N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 614: Calling and interrogation of witnesses by court.

(a) Calling by court. - The court may, on its own motion or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus called.

(b) Interrogation by court. - The court may interrogate witnesses, whether called by itself or by a party.

(c) Objections. - No objections are necessary with respect to the calling of a witness by the court or to questions propounded to a witness by the court but it shall be deemed that proper objection has been made and overruled. (1983, c. 701, s. 1.)