2025 Delinquency Law Changes

Published for NC Criminal Law on November 25, 2025.

The 2025 legislative session resulted in a small number of changes to the laws that govern delinquency proceedings. They include extended terms of probation and post-release supervision in some cases, prosecutorial authority to file a motion for review, a new requirement for hearings to terminate probation for cases in which there is a victim, and technical changes to conform school notification requirements. Extended Probation and Post-Release Supervision Terms Probation Under the current law, a juvenile can be placed on probation as a disposition in a delinquency matter for an initial maximum period of 12 months. G.S. 7B-2510(c). The order of probation can be extended for one additional year after notice, a hearing, and written findings that the extension is necessary to protect the community or to safeguard the welfare of the juvenile. G.S. 7B-2510(c), Matter of H.D.H., 269 N.C.App. 409 (2020). Beginning with offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025, two one-year extensions of probation will be allowed when a juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would be a Class A, B1, or B2 felony if committed by an adult. S.L. 2025-93 § 8.(a). These extensions will require notice and a hearing, like the current requirements for extensions of probation. In addition, findings that the extension is necessary to protect the community or to safeguard the welfare of the juvenile will continue to be required for each extension. The total maximum term of probation possible in these cases will be three years. Post-Release Supervision Post-release supervision (PRS) [...]