NC Criminal Law

Belal Elrahal on Friday, May 22nd, 2026

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old former president of Cuba, for his role in ordering the 1996 downing of two planes. The planes were flown by Brothers to the Rescue, a humanitarian group searching for Cuban migrants at sea. The attack killed four people, including three U.S. citizens. Castro and five other former senior Cuban military officials are...

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

In district court, jeopardy attaches once the court begins to hear evidence, which occurs when the first witness is sworn. In superior court, jeopardy attaches once the jury is sworn and impaneled.

Whichever county is the first to bring charges against the defendant has exclusive venue. See G.S. 15A-132. But if the county with exclusive venue dismisses the charges, another county with concurrent venue may initiate its own charges and obtain venue.

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

Venue to try an accessory after the fact is proper in any county where the principal could be prosecuted or in the county where the defendant committed acts that form the basis of the charge of accessory after the fact.