NC H132

Prosecutor or judicial officer ordering a dismissal must provide notice to the court, which shall automatically order expunction of records relating to apprehension or trial without requiring a hearing or petition in most cases.

Court automatically orders expunction when a finding of not guilty or not responsible is entered, eliminating the requirement for the person to petition the court.

Expunged records apply to both single and multiple charges, with automatic expunction of each dismissed charge or each charge resulting in not guilty findings.

DNA records and samples stored in the State DNA Database are automatically expunged when a case is dismissed, with the State Crime Laboratory directed to send documentation of expungement.

Effective December 1, 2019 for dismissals ordered and findings entered on or after that date.