NC Criminal Law
This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on January 21, 2026.
(1) Impeachment by prior inconsistent statements and bias did not constitute an attack on the complainant’s character for truthfulness under Rule 608(a)(2); (2) admitting multiple witnesses in turn to bolster the complainant’s character for truthfulness was an abuse of discretion; (3) in a credibility-centered case, the error was prejudicial and required...
A criminal charge contained in a pleading must be sufficiently definite to identify the offense, enable the defendant to prepare his or her defense, bar a subsequent prosecution for the same offense, and enable the court to impose judgment.
The state must give the defendant, at the beginning of jury selection, a written list of the names of all witnesses whom the state reasonably expects to call during the trial.
The superior court has jurisdiction to accept a guilty plea to a misdemeanor tendered in lieu of a felony charge.
The court is not bound by the rules of evidence (except for rules on privilege) when deciding whether challenged evidence is admissible.
The superior court has general jurisdiction over all felonies, as well as any misdemeanors which are lesser-included offenses of the felony, joined with the felony, or initiated by grand jury presentment. G.S. 7A-271(a).