NC Criminal Law

Shea Denning on Thursday, February 5th, 2026

The North Carolina Supreme Court held in State v. Julius, 385 N.C. 331 (2023) (Julius I), that an officer’s warrantless search of a vehicle trapped in a ditch and partially submerged by water was not authorized by the automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment. The state supreme court remanded the case to the trial...

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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).

A trial judge may permit any party to introduce additional evidence at any time before verdict. See G.S. 15A-1226(b).

The state must give notice to the defendant of any expert witnesses that the state reasonably expects to call as a witness at trial.

All criminal pleadings must name or otherwise identify the defendant. See G.S. 15A-924(a)(1).

If a search warrant validly describes the premises to be searched, a car located on the premises may be searched even though the warrant contains no description of the car. State v. Courtright, 60 N.C. App. 247, 249 (1983).