NC Criminal Law

Jamie Markham on Friday, September 18th, 2026

If you’re reading this, we made it at least one more week before the robots take over. Here’s a look at the week’s criminal law news.

Halligan, James, and Comey. The Fourth Circuit heard arguments this week on whether Lindsey Halligan was properly appointed as the interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern...

#NCPROTIP
Displaying 1 - 5 of 60

If a defendant pleads guilty to an H or I felony in district court, is placed on probation, and is subsequently charged with violating that probation, the superior court has jurisdiction to hear the violation. But with the consent of the state and the defendant, the district court may hear the violation. G.S. 7A-271(e).

A defendant has a Sixth Amendment right to counsel during interrogation by an officer or an informant about a pending charge after adversarial judicial proceedings for that charge have begun.

In felony cases, a defendant is entitled to inspect the complete files of all law enforcement agencies, investigatory agencies, and prosecutors' offices involved in the investigation of the crimes committed or the prosecution of the defendant. See G.S. 15A-903(a).

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).

If the defendant appeals from a conviction arising out of a plea agreement in district court, the superior court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors that were dismissed, reduced, or modified pursuant to the agreement. See G.S. 15A-1431(b); 7A-271(b).