NC Criminal Law

Jamie Markham on Thursday, May 14th, 2026

Some guilty pleas are “open,” where the defendant pleads guilty to agreed-upon charges without any promises from the State about the ultimate sentence. Other pleas include an arrangement as to sentencing. G.S. 15A-1021(c). In cases where there is an arranged sentence, if the judge ultimately imposes a sentence other than the one provided for in the agreement, the judge must inform the defendant that he or she has a right to withdraw the plea. G.S. 15A-1024. If the defendant does withdraw,...

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With the consent of all parties, the district court may accept guilty pleas to Class H and I felonies. G.S. 7A-272(c).

The state has a constitutional duty under the due process clause to disclose to the defendant any material evidence that is favorable to the defense for a trial or sentencing hearing. This duty applies in misdemeanor and felony cases.

A court may permit a defendant who moves to withdraw a guilty plea after sentencing to withdraw the plea only when it is necessary to avoid manifest injustice.

The core purpose of the Rules of Evidence is to achieve fairness, efficiency, and justice by ensuring that only relevant and reliable evidence is considered by the finder of fact. G.S. 8C-102(a).

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).