NC Criminal Law

Jamie Markham on Friday, July 31st, 2026

In Monday’s post, Jeff mentioned the expanded authority for license plate readers included in the state budget. News stories this week exemplify arguments on both sides of the issue of expanded use of cameras and other law enforcement technologies. WRAL reported...

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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.

If the defendant does not introduce evidence, the defendant has the right to the first and last closing argument. 

A prosecution in superior court must be by indictment, although a noncapital defendant may waive the right to an indictment and be tried on an information. See G.S. 15A-642; -943.

Venue is proper in the entire district of the alleged offense, not just the particular county where the offense allegedly occurred. See G.S. 15A-131(b). Probable cause hearings are an exception and must be held in the county where the offense occurred. See G.S. 15a-131(c).

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).