Which statement is true about the NC appellate court system?

• A. The Supreme Court hears cases involving constitutional questions when there has been dissent among the Court of Appeals members
• B. The Court of Appeals has original jurisdiction over felonies
• C. The District Court has final appellate authority
• D. The Supreme Court has nine justices

Answer: (A)

In North Carolina, the Court of Appeals handles most appeals, but the Supreme Court reviews certain cases on a discretionary basis, especially those raising constitutional questions. When there has been a dissent among Court of Appeals judges on a case involving a constitutional issue, the Supreme Court may take the case to resolve the issue for the state. That captures how the system uses the highest court to settle important constitutional questions across the state. The other statements don’t fit: felonies are tried in Superior Court, not Court of Appeals; District Court is a trial court and does not have final appellate authority; and the Supreme Court has seven, not nine, justices.