NC H357

Requires defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses to appear before a district court judge for a first appearance, bringing misdemeanors into alignment with the existing requirement for felonies and other crimes in superior court jurisdiction.

Allows the first appearance to be continued to a later date upon defendant motion, but defendants cannot waive the requirement to have a first appearance.

Permits defendants to skip personal appearance if represented by counsel at the proceeding.

Effective December 1, 2019, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.