Joseph Newton Carter (March 12, 1843[1] – February 6, 1913) was an American attorney and politician from Kentucky, United States.

He served a three-month stint with the 70th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the Civil War.

He was, however, elected to serve a special session that redistricted the state congressional and senatorial districts.

In 1894, Carter was named a candidate for the Supreme Court of Illinois to fill the vacancy of Simeon P. Shope.

Carter enjoyed traveling in his free time and visited most of the United States.