NC Criminal Law

Joseph L. Hyde on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026

Constitutional protection against double jeopardy is understood to extend no further than the Fifth Amendment requires. Two recent cases from the Court of Appeals, however, seem to find greater double jeopardy protection under state law. In State v. Broadway, No. COA25-1159 (N.C. Ct. App. July 1, 2026), the court ruled a defendant could not be sentenced for two different assaults...

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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.

A court should allow a defendant who moves to withdraw a guilty plea before sentencing to withdraw the plea for any “fair and just” reason.

The court is not bound by the rules of evidence (except for rules on privilege) when deciding whether challenged evidence is admissible.

Prosecution of the defendant for an infraction will bar a subsequent prosecution for a more serious offense arising out of the same conduct.

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).