NC S600

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that murder is first degree (Class A felony) if the victim was a spouse, former spouse, domestic partner, dating partner, or co-parent and the perpetrator had a prior conviction involving the same victim.

Prior convictions that trigger the presumption include domestic violence, violation of a domestic violence protective order, communicating threats, stalking, cyberstalking, or domestic criminal trespass.

Applies the presumption only when the murder is perpetrated with malice as defined for second degree murder, establishing a pathway to first degree murder classification in domestic violence contexts.

Effective December 1, 2017, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.