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NC Criminal Law

News Roundup
Joseph L. Hyde on Friday, March 6th, 2026

Justin “Drinks on Me” Timberlake is bringing it back this week after suing Sag Harbor Village to prevent the release of bodycam footage from his 2024 arrest for drunk driving, per this story from Fox and the NYT. As previously...

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If a case is transferred to another district for prosecution, the prosecutor of the originating district must continue to prosecute the case, unless the prosecutor of the receiving district consents to the prosecution. See G.S. 15A-133(d).

Even if he does not testify, the defendant may offer evidence of a “pertinent trait” of his character. G.S. 8C-404(a)(1).

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

Evidence of the victim’s character may be introduced in two circumstances: First, the defendant may introduce evidence of a “pertinent trait” of the victim’s character. G.S. 8C-404(a)(2). The most common example is evidence of the victim’s violent character, offered when the defendant is claiming self-defense. Second, in homicide cases, the state may offer evidence of the victim’s character trait for “peacefulness” to rebut a claim by the defense that the victim was the first aggressor.

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).

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