NC S589

Clarifies the definition of "felony offense" for purposes of the habitual felon law to include four categories: felonies under North Carolina law, felonies under another state's law with guilty plea or conviction regardless of sentence imposed, crimes from non-felony states punishable by more than one year imprisonment with guilty plea or conviction, and federal felonies (excluding federal intoxicating liquor offenses).

Maintains that a person convicted of or pleading guilty to three felony offenses in any federal or state court is declared a habitual felon and may be charged as a status offender.

Preserves existing provisions that felonies committed before age 18 count as only one felony, subsequent felonies must be committed after conviction of prior ones, pre-July 6, 1967 convictions do not count, and pardoned felonies do not count.

Shifts burden of proof to defendant to establish that a pardon was extended for a felony conviction.

Becomes effective upon enactment.