North Carolina has a unified court system, organized by county. Each county has a court in its county seat (although Wake County also operates a satellite court in Wendell on Fridays where misdemeanors are handled for eastern Wake communities.)
North Carolina’s general court of justice is divided into two divisions, the lower District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. Division, and a Superior CourtSuperior Court is the higher of the two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Felonies may be resolved in Superior Court by pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt., or trial. Misdemeanor convictions may be appealed to Superior Court for juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. trial. Division. All misdemeanors and most felonies, although not all felonies, start out in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court.. Most misdemeanors, and many felonies, end their lives in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court..
Misdemeanors can reach the trial stage in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court., where the trial will be heard by a single judge. That judge will render a verdict, which can be guilty or not guilty. If the person has been found not guilty, then the case ends, and there is no further prosecution (although the prosecutorA District Attorney is the represented of the State, usually elected by the people of a judicial district, to prosecute crimes on behalf of the State. The Wake County District Attorney is Colon Willoughby, Jr. A District Attorney usually has a staff, including assistant district attorneys who are the actual prosecutors who handle most of the day-to-day caseload. can appealAn appeal may be either an appeal for a trial de novo, or an appeal on a matter of law following a jury trial or appellate decision. An appeal for a trial de novo sets aside the District Court judgment and sends the case to Superior Court for a jury trial. An appeal following a jury trial raises legal or constitutional issues that are eventually decided by state or federal appellate courts. certain rulings that may have led to a dismissalA dismissal may occur upon a motion by a party, or by the prosecutor. A voluntary dismissal is a true dismissal where the charges are no longer pending. A dismissal with leave, also known as a VLA dismissal may occur upon a motion by a party, or by the prosecutor. A voluntary dismissal is a true dismissal where the charges are no longer pending. A dismissal with leave, also known as a VL, is a method of the prosecutor places the case into a holding pattern, usually because the defendant has failed to come to court on an assigned court date., is a method of the prosecutor places the case into a holding pattern, usually because the defendant has failed to come to court on an assigned court date.).
Many misdemeanors never reach the trial stage. They are settled by either a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt., a deferral, a diversion, or a first offenders program. In these cases, the prosecutorA District Attorney is the represented of the State, usually elected by the people of a judicial district, to prosecute crimes on behalf of the State. The Wake County District Attorney is Colon Willoughby, Jr. A District Attorney usually has a staff, including assistant district attorneys who are the actual prosecutors who handle most of the day-to-day caseload. agrees to either reduce punishment or dismiss charges entirely provided that the defendant does something, such as community service, to justify the dismissalA dismissal may occur upon a motion by a party, or by the prosecutor. A voluntary dismissal is a true dismissal where the charges are no longer pending. A dismissal with leave, also known as a VLA dismissal may occur upon a motion by a party, or by the prosecutor. A voluntary dismissal is a true dismissal where the charges are no longer pending. A dismissal with leave, also known as a VL, is a method of the prosecutor places the case into a holding pattern, usually because the defendant has failed to come to court on an assigned court date., is a method of the prosecutor places the case into a holding pattern, usually because the defendant has failed to come to court on an assigned court date. or reduction in punishment.
For those misdemeanors that reach the trial stage or pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. stage, the case may be appealed by the defendant, if he or she loses. If the case is appealed to Superior CourtSuperior Court is the higher of the two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Felonies may be resolved in Superior Court by pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt., or trial. Misdemeanor convictions may be appealed to Superior Court for juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. trial., it is as if the District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. trial never happened. This is called a “de novo” appealAn appeal may be either an appeal for a trial de novo, or an appeal on a matter of law following a jury trial or appellate decision. An appeal for a trial de novo sets aside the District Court judgment and sends the case to Superior Court for a jury trial. An appeal following a jury trial raises legal or constitutional issues that are eventually decided by state or federal appellate courts.. The reason that any criminal case in district courtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. may be appealed is because where someone’s liberty is at stake, that person has a right to a juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. trial.
The District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court., therefore, serves as a filtering court, to filter out the cases that should be resolved with minimal review by a District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. judge. As such, you’d hope that the District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. judges would render decisions consistent with what a Superior CourtSuperior Court is the higher of the two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Felonies may be resolved in Superior Court by pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt., or trial. Misdemeanor convictions may be appealed to Superior Court for juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. trial. juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. would find, but this isn’t always the case. District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. rates are generally higher than the result from a juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. trial.
This is sort of absurd, because it only encourages defendants and their attorneys to appealAn appeal may be either an appeal for a trial de novo, or an appeal on a matter of law following a jury trial or appellate decision. An appeal for a trial de novo sets aside the District Court judgment and sends the case to Superior Court for a jury trial. An appeal following a jury trial raises legal or constitutional issues that are eventually decided by state or federal appellate courts. cases, which is an incredibly bad use of judicial resources. I will generally advise, where appropriate, that my clients appealAn appeal may be either an appeal for a trial de novo, or an appeal on a matter of law following a jury trial or appellate decision. An appeal for a trial de novo sets aside the District Court judgment and sends the case to Superior Court for a jury trial. An appeal following a jury trial raises legal or constitutional issues that are eventually decided by state or federal appellate courts. district courtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. cases where I think they might find relief in front of a juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case..
While all misdemeanors are handled in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court., no felonies are tried in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court.. Felonies must be tried in front of a juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case., and so the only way to resolve a felony in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. is through a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt., a diversion or deferral program, a first offenders program, or a dismissalA dismissal may occur upon a motion by a party, or by the prosecutor. A voluntary dismissal is a true dismissal where the charges are no longer pending. A dismissal with leave, also known as a VLA dismissal may occur upon a motion by a party, or by the prosecutor. A voluntary dismissal is a true dismissal where the charges are no longer pending. A dismissal with leave, also known as a VL, is a method of the prosecutor places the case into a holding pattern, usually because the defendant has failed to come to court on an assigned court date., is a method of the prosecutor places the case into a holding pattern, usually because the defendant has failed to come to court on an assigned court date. of the charge.
Damon Chetson is a North Carolina Lawyer. He practices in Raleigh, Apex, and Cary, North Carolina. He also defends individuals charged with crimes throughout the Research Triangle. He works hard to defend his clients' rights. He represents people charged in all parts of the Research Triangle. If you're looking for a lawyer in Raleigh or Wake County, NC, you can call the us for a free consultation at (919) 352-9411 weekdays, evenings, weekends, and Holidays.
