NC H123

Requires defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses and held in custody to appear before a district court judge for a first appearance.

Reduces the timeframe for first appearances from 96 hours to 72 hours after a defendant is taken into custody or at the first regular district court session, whichever occurs first.

Allows the clerk of superior court to conduct a first appearance during regular business hours if a district court judge is unavailable within 72 hours of custody.

First appearance before a district court judge is not considered a critical stage of proceedings for purposes of legal representation.

Effective December 1, 2021, applying to criminal processes served on or after that date.