Facing a criminal charge in North Carolina

Bond and pretrial release in North Carolina

N.C.G.S. section 15A-531 et seq. governs bail in North Carolina. Under N.C.G.S. section 15A-534, the judicial official determining conditions of pretrial release must impose at least one of the listed conditions, which include unsecured appearance bond, custody release to a designated person or organization, secured appearance bond, and house arrest with electronic monitoring. Except for defendants charged with a violent offense, the official must impose custody release or unsecured bond unless that release would not reasonably assure appearance, would pose a danger of injury, or would likely result in destruction of evidence or intimidation of witnesses. N.C.G.S. section 15A-535 requires the senior resident superior court judge of each district to issue written policies covering pretrial release. Magistrates set initial conditions; the district or superior court may modify them. Bond review may be sought through motion under N.C.G.S. section 15A-534(e).

Bond amounts, conditions, and timelines vary by county and judge. Confirm with counsel or the court.

Criminal defense attorneys serving North Carolina

Our directory is still building in North Carolina. Public-defender intake is available now.

Record clearing in North Carolina

North Carolina expunction is governed by N.C.G.S. 15A-145 through 15A-146.2. The Second Chance Act (S.L. 2020-35) made some non-conviction records automatically expunged and broadened eligibility for sealing dismissed and not guilty dispositions.

Eligibility, waiting periods, and the petition vs. automatic pathway depend on the conviction class and the date of the offense. Confirm with counsel or the court record.

Public defender intake in North Carolina

North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services serves STATEWIDE County. Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. We do not refer you to a specific public defender and we do not represent you.

Public defenders are appointed by the court based on financial eligibility. LawSensai does not refer you to a public defender and does not represent you. This packet is a courtesy summary you can share with your public defender or their intake staff. You remain responsible for applying to the court for appointed counsel.