Born in Milbridge, Maine, Carter received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maine in 1958 and a Bachelor of Laws from New York University School of Law in 1961.

He was a law clerk to Judge J. Spencer Bell of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1961 to 1962, and was then in the United States Army Reserve, JAG Corps, from 1962 to 1968, achieving the rank of captain.

[3] On May 26, 1983, Carter was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maine vacated by Judge Edward Thaxter Gignoux.

[2] In 1995, Carter was charged with an ethical violation involving allegations of dishonesty and favoritism in handling a civil matter.

[4] Ultimately, Carter was found to have used poor judgement and acted inappropriately in the matter, but did not commit an ethics violation and was not sanctioned.