NC Criminal Law

Phil Dixon on Friday, August 7th, 2026

Last week’s News Roundup noted the story of a Charlotte-Mecklenburg officer accused of illegally accessing Flock camera data. According to these reports, at least 20 law enforcement officers in Georgia are facing...

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An acquittal under the Double Jeopardy Clause includes a dismissal of a charge for insufficient evidence or an appellate court’s reversal of a conviction for insufficient evidence.

A statement of charges, criminal summons, arrest warrant, citation or magistrate’s order may be amended at any time before or after final judgment as long as the amendment does not change the nature of the offense charged. G.S. 15A-922(f).

The superior court has jurisdiction to accept a guilty plea to a misdemeanor tendered in lieu of a felony charge.

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 judge must accept a plea arrangement that involves only charges and no sentence recommendation, as long as the judge determines the plea is the product of an informed choice of the defendant and there is a factual basis for the plea. See G.S. 15A-1023(c).