NC H227

Requires defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses and held in custody to appear before a district court judge before release or trial.

Reduces the timeframe for first appearance from 96 hours to 48 hours after a defendant is taken into custody, or at the first regular session of district court in the county, whichever occurs first.

Allows superior court clerks to conduct first appearances during regular business hours if a district court judge is unavailable within 48 hours of custody.

Specifies that first appearances are not critical stages of proceedings against the defendant.

Becomes effective December 1, 2021, and applies to criminal processes served on or after that date.