GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 2
HOUSE BILL 308
Committee Substitute Favorable 3/18/25
Short Title: Criminal Law Changes. (Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:
March 6, 2025
*H308 -v-2*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO AMEND STRA NGULATION PENALTIES, TO MAKE CLARIFYING 2
CHANGES REGARDING TH E MISDEMEANOR CRIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 3
TO CREATE A FELONY C RIME OF HABITUAL DOM ESTIC VIOLENCE, TO 4
CLARIFY EXPUNCTIONS MAY NOT BE GRANTED FOR PERSONS WITH PENDING 5
CHARGES, TO CLARIFY WHO MAY REQUEST CONF IRMATION OF EXPUNCTION, 6
AND TO REQUIRE SENTENCES TO RUN CONSECUT IVELY IF NOT SPECIFIED BY 7
THE COURT. 8
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 9
10
AMEND STRANGULATION PENALTIES 11
SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 14-32.4 reads as rewritten: 12
"§ 14-32.4. Assault inflicting serious bodily injury; strangulation; penalties. 13
(a) Unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater 14
punishment, any person who assaults another person and inflicts serious bodily injury is guilty 15
of a Class F E felony. 16
(a1) The following definitions apply to this section: 17
(1) "Serious bodily injury" is defined as bodily Serious bodily injury. – Bodily 18
injury that creates a substantial risk of death, or that causes serious permanent 19
disfigurement, coma, a permanent or protracted condition that causes extreme 20
pain, or permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any 21
bodily member or organ, or that results in prolonged hospitalization. 22
(2) Strangulation. – Impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood of 23
another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck of the person or by 24
obstructing the nose and mouth of the person. 25
(a2) Unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater 26
punishment, any person who assaults another person by strangulation is guilty of a Class H 27
felony. 28
(b) Unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater 29
punishment, any person who assaults another person and inflicts physical injury by strangulation 30
is guilty of a Class H G felony." 31
SECTION 1.(b) G.S. 143B-1023(a) reads as rewritten: 32
"(a) There is established within the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons the Blue 33
Alert System. The purpose of the Blue Alert System is to aid in the apprehension of a suspect 34
who kills or inflicts serious bodily injury on a law enforcement officer by providing a statewide 35 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 308-Second Edition
system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding the suspect. The term "serious bodily 1
injury" is as defined in G.S. 14-32.4(a).G.S. 14-32.4." 2
SECTION 1.(c) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 3
offenses committed on or after that date. 4
5
CLARIFYING CHANGES REGARDING MISDEMEANOR CRIME OF DOMESTIC 6
VIOLENCE 7
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 14-33 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 8
"(e) An offense under this section shall not be considered a lesser included offense of 9
misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under G.S. 14-32.5." 10
SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 14-33.2 reads as rewritten: 11
"§ 14-33.2. Habitual misdemeanor assault. 12
A person commits the offense of habitual misdemeanor assault if that person (i) violates any 13
of the provisions of G.S. 14-33 and causes physical injury, G.S. 14-32.5, or G.S. 14-34, and (ii) 14
has two or more prior convictions for either misdemeanor or assault, felony assault, or a violation 15
of G.S. 14-32.5, with the earlier of the two prior convictions occurring no more than 15 years 16
prior to the date of the current violation. A conviction under this section shall not be used as a 17
prior conviction for any other habitual offense statute. A person convicted of violating this 18
section is guilty of a Class H felony." 19
SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 15A-401(b) reads as rewritten: 20
"(b) Arrest by Officer Without a Warrant. – 21
(1) Offense in Presence of Officer. – An officer may arrest without a warrant any 22
person who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed a criminal 23
offense, or has violated a pretrial release order entered under G.S. 15A-534 or 24
G.S. 15A-534.1(a)(2), in the officer's presence. 25
(2) Offense Out of Presence of Officer. – An officer may arrest without a warrant 26
any person who the officer has probable cause to believe:believe has 27
committed or violated any of the following: 28
a. Has committed a felony; orA felony. 29
b. Has committed a misdemeanor, and:A misdemeanor, when the person 30
meets at least one of the following criteria: 31
1. Will not be apprehended unless immediately arrested, 32
orarrested. 33
2. May cause physical injury to himself or others, or damage to 34
property unless immediately arrested; orarrested. 35
c. Has committed a A misdemeanor under G.S. 14-72.1, 14-134.3, 36
20-138.1, or 20-138.2; or20-138.2. 37
d. Has committed a A misdemeanor under G.S. 14-33(a), 14-33(c)(1), 38
14-33(c)(2), or 14-34 when the offense was committed by a person 39
with whom the alleged victim has a personal relationship as defined in 40
G.S. 50B-1; orG.S. 50B-1. 41
e. Has committed a A misdemeanor under G.S. 50B-4.1(a); 42
orG.S. 50B-4.1(a). 43
f. Has violated a A pretrial release order entered under G.S. 15A-534 or 44
G.S. 15A-534.1(a)(2). 45
g. A misdemeanor under G.S. 14-32.5. 46
…." 47
SECTION 2.(d) G.S. 15A-534.1(a) reads as rewritten: 48
"(a) In all cases in which the defendant is charged with assault on, stalking, 49
communicating a threat to, or committing a felony provided in Articles 7B, 8, 10, or 15 of Chapter 50
14 of the General Statutes upon a spouse or former spouse, a person with whom the defendant 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 308-Second Edition Page 3
lives or has lived as if married, or a person with whom the defendant is or has been in a dating 1
relationship as defined in G.S. 50B-1(b)(6), with domestic criminal trespass, with violation of 2
G.S. 14-32.5, or with violation of an order entered pursuant to Chapter 50B, Domestic Violence, 3
of the General Statutes, the judicial official who determines the conditions of pretrial release shall 4
be a judge. The judge shall direct a law enforcement officer or a district attorney to provide a 5
criminal history report for the defendant and shall consider the criminal history when setting 6
conditions of release. After setting conditions of release, the judge shall return the report to the 7
providing agency or department. No judge shall unreasonably delay the determination of 8
conditions of pretrial release for the purpose of reviewing the defendant's criminal history report. 9
The following provisions shall apply in addition to the provisions of G.S. 15A-534: 10
(1) Upon a determination by the judge that the immediate release of the defendant 11
will pose a danger of injury to the alleged victim or to any other person or is 12
likely to result in intimidation of the alleged victim and upon a determination 13
that the execution of an appearance bond as required by G.S. 15A-534 will 14
not reasonably assure that such injury or intimidation will not occur, a judge 15
may retain the defendant in custody for a reasonable period of time while 16
determining the conditions of pretrial release. 17
(2) A judge may impose the following conditions on pretrial release: 18
a. That the defendant stay away from the home, school, business or place 19
of employment of the alleged victim. 20
b. That the defendant refrain from assaulting, beating, molesting, or 21
wounding the alleged victim. 22
c. That the defendant refrain from removing, damaging or injuring 23
specifically identified property. 24
d. That the defendant may visit his or her child or children at times and 25
places provided by the terms of any existing order entered by a judge. 26
e. That the defendant abstain from alcohol consumption, as verified by 27
the use of a continuous alcohol monitoring system, of a type approved 28
by the Division of Community Supervision and Reentry of the 29
Department of Adult Correction, and that any violation of this 30
condition be reported by the monitoring provider to the district 31
attorney. 32
The conditions set forth above may be imposed in addition to requiring that 33
the defendant execute a secured appearance bond. 34
(3) Should the defendant be mentally ill and dangerous to himself or others or a 35
substance abuser and dangerous to himself or others, the provisions of Article 36
5 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes shall apply." 37
SECTION 2.(e) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 38
offenses committed on or after that date. 39
40
CREATE FELONY CRIME OF HABITUAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 41
SECTION 3.(a) Article 8 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding 42
a new section to read: 43
"§ 14-32.6. Habitual domestic violence. 44
(a) A person commits the offense of habitual domestic violence if that person commits 45
an offense under G.S. 14-32.5, or commits an assault where the person is related to the victim by 46
one or more of the relationship descriptions set forth in G.S. 14-32.5, and has two or more prior 47
convictions that include either of the following combination of offenses, with the earlier of the 48
two prior convictions occurring no more than 15 years prior to the date of the current violation: 49 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 4 House Bill 308-Second Edition
(1) Two or more convictions of an offense under G.S. 14-32.5 or an offense 1
committed in another jurisdiction substantially similar to an offense under 2
G.S. 14-32.5. 3
(2) One prior conviction of an offense described in subdivision (1) of this 4
subsection and at least one prior conviction of an offense in this State or 5
another jurisdiction involving an assault where the person is related to the 6
victim by one or more of the relationship descriptions set forth in 7
G.S. 14-32.5. 8
(b) A conviction under this section shall not be used as a prior conviction for any other 9
habitual offense statute. A person convicted of violating this section is guilty of a Class H felony 10
for the first offense. Subsequent convictions for violating this section shall each be punished at a 11
level which is one offense class higher than the offense class of the most recent prior conviction 12
under this section, not to exceed a Class C felony." 13
SECTION 3.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 14
offenses committed on or after that date. 15
16
EXPUNCTION MODIFICATIONS 17
SECTION 4.(a) G.S. 15A-145(b) reads as rewritten: 18
"(b) If the court, after hearing, finds that the petitioner had remained of good behavior and 19
been free of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic violation, for two years 20
from the date of conviction of the misdemeanor in question, the petitioner has no outstanding 21
restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against 22
him, and (i) petitioner was not 18 years old at the time of the offense in question, or (ii) petitioner 23
was not 21 years old at the time of the offense of possession of alcohol pursuant to 24
G.S. 18B-302(b)(1), it shall order that such person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, 25
to the status he occupied before such arrest or indictment or information.information, unless the 26
court finds one of the following: 27
(1) The petitioner has outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases, is under 28
indictment, or a finding of probable cause exists against the defendant for a 29
felony in any federal court or state court in the United States. 30
(2) The petitioner is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, 31
or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States for a crime 32
which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition for expunction 33
under this section granted." 34
SECTION 4.(b) G.S. 15A-145.1(b) reads as rewritten: 35
"(b) If the court, after hearing, finds that (i) the petitioner was dismissed and the 36
proceedings against the petitioner discharged pursuant to G.S. 14-50.29 and that the person had 37
not yet attained 18 years of age at the time of the offense or (ii) the petitioner has remained of 38
good behavior and been free of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic 39
violation for two years from the date of conviction of the offense in question, the petitioner has 40
no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution 41
entered against the petitioner, and the petitioner had not attained the age of 18 years at the time 42
of the offense in question, it shall order that such person be restored, in the contemplation of the 43
law, to the status occupied by the petitioner before such arrest or indictment or information, and 44
that the record be expunged from the records of the court.court, unless the court finds one of the 45
following: 46
(1) The petitioner has outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases, is under 47
indictment, or a finding of probable cause exists against the defendant for a 48
felony in any federal court or state court in the United States. 49
(2) The petitioner is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, 50
or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States for a crime 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 308-Second Edition Page 5
which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition for expunction 1
granted under this section." 2
SECTION 4.(c) G.S. 15A-145.2 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 3
"(c1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no order of expunction shall be issued 4
pursuant to this section if the court finds one of the following: 5
(1) The petitioner has outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases, is under 6
indictment, or a finding of probable cause exists against the defendant for a 7
felony in any federal court or state court in the United States. 8
(2) The petitioner is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, 9
or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States for a crime 10
which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition for expunction 11
granted under this section." 12
SECTION 4.(d) G.S. 15A-145.3 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 13
"(c1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no order of expunction shall be issued 14
pursuant to this section if the court finds one of the following: 15
(1) The petitioner has outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases, is under 16
indictment, or a finding of probable cause exists against the defendant for a 17
felony in any federal court or state court in the United States. 18
(2) The petitioner is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, 19
or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States for a crime 20
which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition for expunction 21
granted under this section." 22
SECTION 4.(e) G.S. 15A-145.4(e) reads as rewritten: 23
"(e) The court may order that the person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to 24
the status the person occupied before the arrest or indictment or information if the court finds all 25
of the following after a hearing: 26
(1) The petitioner has remained of good moral character and has been free of 27
conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic violation, for 28
four years from the date of conviction of the nonviolent felony in question or 29
any active sentence, period of probation, or post-release supervision has been 30
served, whichever is later. 31
(2) The petitioner has not previously been convicted of any felony or 32
misdemeanor other than a traffic violation under the laws of the United States 33
or the laws of this State or any other state. 34
(3) The petitioner has no outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases.cases, is 35
not under indictment, and no finding of probable cause exists against the 36
defendant for a felony in any federal court or state court in the United States. 37
(3a) The petitioner is not free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, 38
appeal, or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States 39
for a crime which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition 40
for expunction under this section granted. 41
(4) The petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments 42
representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner. 43
(5) The petitioner was less than 18 years old at the time of the commission of the 44
offense in question. 45
(6) The petitioner has performed at least 100 hours of community service since 46
the time of the conviction and possesses a high school diploma, a high school 47
graduation equivalency certificate, or a General Education Development 48
degree. 49 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 6 House Bill 308-Second Edition
(7) The search of the confidential records of expunctions conducted by the 1
Administrative Office of the Courts shows that the petitioner has not been 2
previously granted an expunction." 3
SECTION 4.(f) G.S. 15A-145.6(f) reads as rewritten: 4
"(f) The court shall order that the person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to 5
the status the person occupied before the arrest or indictment or information if the court finds all 6
of the following after a hearing: 7
(1) The criteria set out in subsection (b) of this section are satisfied. 8
(2) The petitioner has remained of good moral character and has been free of 9
conviction of any felony or misdemeanor, other than a traffic violation, since 10
the date of conviction of the prostitution offense in question. 11
(3) The petitioner has no outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases.cases, is 12
not under indictment, and no finding of probable cause exists against the 13
defendant for a felony in any federal court or state court in the United States. 14
(3a) The petitioner is not free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, 15
appeal, or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States 16
for a crime which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition 17
for expunction under this section granted. 18
(4) The petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments 19
representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner. 20
(5) The search of the confidential records of expunctions conducted by the 21
Administrative Office of the Courts shows that the petitioner has not been 22
previously granted an expunction, other than an expunction for a prostitution 23
offense." 24
SECTION 4.(g) G.S. 15A-145.8A reads as rewritten: 25
"§ 15A-145.8A. Expunction of records for offenders under the age of 18 at the time of 26
commission of certain misdemeanors and felonies upon completion of the 27
sentence. 28
(a) A person, the district attorney, or an attorney at the request of a person eligible for 29
expunction under this section, may file, in the court of the county where the person was 30
convicted, a petition for expunction from the person's criminal record of any misdemeanor or 31
Class H or I felony not excluded by subsection (b) of this section if the offense was committed 32
prior to December 1, 2019, and while the person was less than 18 years of age, but at least 16 33
years of age. The petition shall not be filed until (i) any active sentence, period of probation, and 34
post-release supervision ordered for the offense has been served and (ii) the person has no 35
restitution orders for the offense or outstanding civil judgments representing amounts ordered for 36
restitution for the offense. 37
(b) An offense is not eligible for expunction under this section if it is (i) a violation of the 38
motor vehicle laws under Chapter 20 of the General Statutes, including any offense involving 39
impaired driving as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(24a) or (ii) an offense requiring registration pursuant 40
to Article 27A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, whether or not the person is currently 41
required to register. 42
(c) If the petition was not filed by the district attorney, the petition shall be served upon 43
the district attorney of the court wherein the case was tried resulting in conviction. The district 44
attorney shall have 30 days thereafter in which to file any objection thereto and shall be duly 45
notified as to the date of the hearing of the petition. The district attorney shall make his or her 46
best efforts to contact the victim, if any, to notify the victim of the request for expunction prior 47
to the date of the hearing. Upon request by the victim, the victim has a right to be present at any 48
hearing on the petition for expunction and the victim's views and concerns shall be considered 49
by the court at such hearing. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 308-Second Edition Page 7
(d) If the court, after hearing, finds that (i) the offense was a misdemeanor or Class H or 1
I felony eligible for expunction under this section, (ii) the offense was committed prior to 2
December 1, 2019, and while the person was less than 18 years of age, but at least 16 years of 3
age, (iii) any active sentence, period of probation, and post-release supervision ordered for the 4
offense was completed, and (iv) the person has no restitution orders for the offense or outstanding 5
civil judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution for the offense, the court shall order 6
that the person be restored, in the contemplation of the law, to the status the person occupied 7
before such arrest or indictment or information, and that the record be expunged from the records 8
of the court. The court shall order that the person be restored, in contemplation of the law, to the 9
status the person occupied before the arrest or indictment or information, and that the record be 10
expunged from the records of the court, if the court finds all of the following after a hearing: 11
(1) The offense was a misdemeanor or Class H or I felony eligible for expunction 12
under this section. 13
(2) The offense was committed prior to December 1, 2019, and while the person 14
was less than 18 years of age but at least 16 years of age. 15
(3) Any active sentence, period of probation, and post-release supervision ordered 16
for the offense was completed. 17
(4) The person has no restitution orders for the offense or outstanding civil 18
judgments representing amounts ordered for restitution for the offense. 19
(5) The petitioner has no outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases, is not 20
under indictment, and no finding of probable cause exists against the 21
defendant for a felony in any federal court or state court in the United States. 22
(6) The petitioner is not free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, 23
appeal, or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States 24
for a crime which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition 25
for expunction under this section granted. 26
(d1) A person convicted of multiple offenses shall be eligible to have those convictions 27
expunged pursuant to this section. 28
(e) Any petition for expunction under this section shall be on a form approved by the 29
Administrative Office of the Courts and shall be filed with the clerk of superior court in the 30
county where the person was convicted. Upon order of expunction, the clerk shall forward the 31
order to the Administrative Office of the Courts. 32
(f) No person as to whom such order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any 33
provision of any laws to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of 34
that person's failure to recite or acknowledge such arrest, or indictment, information, or trial, or 35
response to any inquiry made of the person for any purpose. 36
(g) The court shall also order that the conviction be expunged from the records of the 37
court. The court shall direct all law enforcement agencies, the Department of Adult Correction, 38
the Division of Motor Vehicles, and any other State or local government agencies identified by 39
the petitioner as bearing record of the same to expunge their records of the petitioner's conviction. 40
The clerk shall notify State and local agencies of the court's order as provided in G.S. 15A-150. 41
(h) A person who files a petition for expunction of a criminal record under this section 42
must pay the clerk of superior court a fee of fifty-two dollars and fifty cents ($52.50) at the time 43
the petition is filed. Fees collected under this subsection are payable to the Administrative Office 44
of the Courts. The fee shall be retained by the Administrative Office of the Courts and used to 45
pay the costs of processing petitions for expunctions under this section. This subsection does not 46
apply to petitions filed by an indigent." 47
SECTION 4.(h) G.S. 15A-145.9(f) reads as rewritten: 48
"(f) Restoration of Status. – The court shall order that the person be restored, in the 49
contemplation of the law, to the status the person occupied before the arrest or indictment or 50
information if the court finds all of the following after a hearing: 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 8 House Bill 308-Second Edition
(1) The criteria set out in subsection (b) of this section are satisfied. 1
(2) The petitioner has no outstanding warrants.warrants or pending criminal 2
cases, is not under indictment, and no finding of probable cause exists against 3
the defendant for a felony in any federal court or state court in the United 4
States. 5
(2a) The petitioner is not free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, 6
appeal, or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States 7
for a crime which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition 8
for expunction under this section granted. 9
(3) The petitioner has no outstanding restitution orders or civil judgments 10
representing amounts ordered for restitution entered against the petitioner." 11
SECTION 4.(i) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 12
petitions filed on or after that date. 13
SECTION 5.(a) G.S. 15A-151(a)(2) reads as rewritten: 14
"(2) Upon request of a person person, or an attorney representing the person, 15
requesting confirmation of the person's own discharge or expunction." 16
SECTION 5.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to requests 17
made on or after that date. 18
19
REQUIRE SENTENCES TO RUN CONSECUTIVELY IF NOT SPECIFIED 20
SECTION 6.(a) G.S. 15A-1354(a) reads as rewritten: 21
"(a) Authority of Court. – When multiple sentences of imprisonment are imposed on a 22
person at the same time or when a term of imprisonment is imposed on a person who is already 23
subject to an undischarged term of imprisonment, including a term of imprisonment in another 24
jurisdiction, the sentences may run either concurrently or consecutively, as determined by the 25
court. If not specified or not required by statute to run consecutively, by the court, sentences shall 26
run concurrently.consecutively." 27
SECTION 6.(b) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 28
offenses committed on or after that date. 29
30
EFFECTIVE DATE 31
SECTION 7. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes 32
law. 33