Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 7A-315

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • True bill: Another word for indictment.

In a criminal action, if no prosecuting witness is designated by the court as liable for the costs, and the defendant is acquitted, or convicted and unable to pay, or a nolle prosequi is entered, or judgment is arrested, or probable cause is not found, or the grand jury fails to return a true bill, the State shall be liable  for the witness fees allowed per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-314 and any expenses for blood tests and comparisons incurred per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-50.1(a). (1965, c. 310, s. 1; 1979, c. 576, s. 4.)