NC Criminal Law
This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on August 19, 2026.
Trial court erred by dismissing the charges against the defendant pursuant to G.S. 15A-954(a)(4) as the defendant failed to show that he was irreparably prejudiced by the arresting officer’s testimony regarding the issuance of an earlier warrant against the defendant – testimony that violated the trial...
If the elements of the offense were committed in more than one county, each county in which an element of the crime was committed has concurrent venue. See G.S. 15A-132(a).
A defendant may plead guilty or not guilty, or, with the consent of the prosecutor and judge, may plead “no contest.” See G.S. 15A-1011(a), (b).
Misdemeanors may be charged in an indictment only if the charge is initiated by presentment or if the offense is joined with a charged felony. See G.S. 15A-923; G.S. 7A-271.
The state must give notice to the defendant of any expert witnesses that the state reasonably expects to call as a witness at trial.
A prosecution in superior court must be by indictment, although a noncapital defendant may waive the right to an indictment and be tried on an information. See G.S. 15A-642; -943.