North Carolina · Criminal & Records
The North Carolina Criminal Law Guide
Understanding crime classifications, the Structured Sentencing Act, pretrial release procedures, and the path of a criminal case in North Carolina.
2026-2027 Edition · Cited to North Carolina law · Plain language
Paperback · $19.99
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Cited to the statute · Legal information, not legal advice
How a North Carolina criminal case works, from arrest to sentencing
Pretrial release, the first appearance, probable cause, indictment, the Structured Sentencing grid and the Motion for Appropriate Relief.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
An arrest in North Carolina starts a process with its own rules, courts and vocabulary. For the person charged, and for the family trying to help, it can be hard to tell what comes next.
The North Carolina Criminal Law Guide explains how a case moves through the state's courts, from District Court to Superior Court. It covers how every crime is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-1, how a magistrate or judge sets pretrial release conditions under § 15A-534, and what happens at the first appearance and the probable cause hearing.
The guide explains the Structured Sentencing Act, which sorts felonies into classes A through I and pairs each class with prior record levels I to VI to set a presumptive range. It also covers grand jury indictment, the bill of information, plea bargains, the end of traditional parole for offenses on or after October 1, 1994, and the Motion for Appropriate Relief.
• Answers to 24 common questions from accused persons and family members
• Checklists for each stage of a case
• Comparison tables, a glossary and questions to ask an attorney
This guide is for people facing charges and the family members and supporters beside them. Legal information, not legal advice.
WHAT’S INSIDE
- Foundations of North Carolina Criminal Law
- The Structured Sentencing Act: How Punishment is Determined
- The Criminal Process: From Charge to Potential Trial
- After the Verdict: Post-Conviction Options
- Exceptions and Defenses
- Rights of a Family Member or Supporter
- Step-by-step procedures from each side, with deadlines at a glance
- 24 real-world questions and answers
- Statute index, key court decisions and official forms
- Toolkit: checklists, comparison tables, glossary and common mistakes to avoid
WHY READERS TRUST THIS GUIDE
Plain language. Cited to the statute. Dated so you know it is current.
Every rule is cited to North Carolina law so you can verify it.
Cited, so you can check it
Every rule names the section of North Carolina law it comes from, so you can read the source yourself.
Plain language, no filler
Written to be read start to finish by someone with no legal training, with worked examples.
Dated and updated
Each guide carries a law-current date and new editions ship when the law changes.
Bonus toolkit
Register your book for this topic’s checklists, worksheets and starter template, as soon as they are ready.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
North Carolina criminal charges: what to know before you order.
Straight answers about what the guide is, what it covers and how it reaches you.
What are the penalties for a felony in North Carolina?
Penalties are set by the Structured Sentencing Act, based on the felony class (A through I) and the prior record level (I to VI). The guide explains how the chart works.
How long does it take to get indicted in North Carolina?
There is no fixed deadline. Grand juries meet on a set schedule that varies by county. The guide explains indictment and the bill of information.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is legal information in plain language, cited to the law, so you understand your options and know what to ask. Reading it creates no attorney-client relationship.
Is it written for North Carolina?
Yes. This guide is written for North Carolina law and cites the North Carolina statutes and rules it relies on. If your case is in another state, choose that state's edition.
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PLEASE READ
Legal information, not legal advice. STACKED LEGAL® is a publisher, not a law firm. Buying or reading this book creates no attorney-client relationship and promises no outcome. Laws change; verify current law and talk to a licensed attorney in North Carolina about your situation.
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