Bill > H862

This bill mandates comprehensive video and audio recording of district court proceedings, including infraction hearings, criminal trials, pretrial motions, pleas, sentencing hearings, and other related legal events. The clerk of superior court or a designated person will be responsible for operating the recording device and preserving the recordings, with provisions allowing these recordings to be made available online for public access. Additionally, the bill requires clerks of superior court to maintain detailed electronic records of criminal case dispositions, with specific emphasis on impaired driving cases. For impaired driving cases, clerks must now include information such as reasons for pretrial dismissals, alcohol concentration reported, evidence suppression reasons, charge dispositions, and sentencing factors. The Administrative Office of the Courts will be required to publish an annual report by September 1st each year, providing statewide and countywide summaries of charges, dispositions, and sentencing information. The first such report will cover the period from December 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and must be published by September 1, 2026. These new requirements will become effective December 1, 2025, and apply to hearings, trials, and charge dispositions occurring on or after that date.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H862