NC Criminal Law Specialist study guide
NC Criminal Law Specialist · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The North Carolina State Bar's legal specialization program awards board certification that formally recognizes a lawyer's proficiency and experience in a specific practice area, and criminal law is one of the specialty fields a North Carolina lawyer can pursue. The credential is designed for licensed North Carolina attorneys in good standing who already practice substantially in criminal law and want independent, peer-reviewed recognition of that depth alongside their license. Certification rests on five elements published by the State Bar: a license in good standing, substantial involvement in the specialty field over the past five years, CLE credits in the specialty area over the past three years, peer review approval, and passing the specialty exam, which the State Bar says is offered in October. The criminal law specialty exam tests whether a practitioner can apply the substantive and procedural law of North Carolina criminal practice at a specialist level rather than an entry level. Preparation should center on the State Bar's own specialization pages - certification standard summaries, the specialty exams page, exam FAQs, dates and locations, and guides and instructions - plus sustained criminal law CLE. Candidates can direct questions about the process to the specialization contacts listed by the State Bar or call 919-828-4620. Topics on this exam: Criminal Law. The NC Criminal Law Specialist study guide has 1 section and about 390 words.
01Criminal Law
The Criminal Law domain tests offense elements and defenses as they exist in Chapter 14 of the General Statutes and in North Carolina common law, plus the classification rules (felonies A–I; misdemeanors A1, 1, 2, 3) that drive sentencing. 14-17 first-degree murder requires premeditation and deliberation, lying in wait, poison, torture, or a killing during an enumerated felony (arson, rape or a sex offense, robbery, kidnapping, burglary) or another felony committed with the aid of a deadly weapon. Second-degree murder is an unlawful killing with malice but no premeditation; a death during a non-enumerated felony is second-degree felony murder. Voluntary manslaughter negates malice via heat of passion on adequate provocation.
390 words, about 2 minMore study resources for NC Criminal Law Specialist
- Practice questionsUnder North Carolina law, a person who aids and abets the commission of a felony but is not present at the scene may be convicted as a principal if the State proves which of the following?
- FlashcardsFirst-degree murder. Unlawful killing with malice, premeditation, and deliberation; or felony murder; or by poison, lying in wait, torture.
- Cheat sheetNC felony classification: Class A (death/life) through Class I; misdemeanors Class A1, 1, 2, 3.
- Key termsActus Reus. The physical component of a crime, including a voluntary act or omission and any resulting harm or circumstances.
- Study planMap the full NC criminal law domain into subtopics (offenses against persons, property, public order, drug offenses, sentencing, procedure-adjacent rules) and rank each by estimated exam weight and personal weakness.
- Common mistakesThe exam is built on the General Statutes, and many candidates come from practice where pattern jury instructions and habit substitute for statutory text; they answer from impression and miss element-level distinctions the drafters built the options around.
- Exam-day guidePrint or save the confirmation email from the North Carolina State Bar showing your name, test date, time, and location.