North Carolina § 15A-824 - Definitions.

§ 15A-824. Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article: Crime. - A felony or serious misdemeanor as determined in the sole discretion of the district attorney, except those included in Article 46 of this Chapter, or an act by a juvenile as provided in Article 20A of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes. Family member. - A spouse, child, parent, guardian, legal custodian, sibling, or grandparent of the victim. The term does not include the accused. Victim. - A person against whom there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. Witness. - A person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution in a criminal action concerning a felony, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to being called or is likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution in such an action, whether or not an action or proceeding has been commenced. History (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 998, s. 1; 1989, c. 596, s. 1; 1998-212, s. 19.4(a), (b); 2019-216, s. 1(a).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2019-216, s. 17, made the amendments to this section by Session Laws 2019-216, s. 1(a), effective August 31, 2019, and applicable to offenses and acts of delinquency committed on or after that date. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2019-216, s. 1(a), in subdivision (1), substituted "an act by a juvenile as provided in Article 20A of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes" for "any act committed by a juvenile that, if committed by a competent adult, would constitute a felony or serious misdemeanor"; in subdivision (2), substituted "parent, guardian, legal custodian, sibling, or grandparent of the victim. The term does not include the accused" for "parent or legal guardian, or the closest living relative"; and made stylistic changes throughout. For effective date and applicability, see Editor's note.