Can the court impose short-term (“dip”) confinement at sentencing as part of a “community” punishment?

Probably. “Dip” confinement is listed among the new “community and intermediate conditions of probation” set out in G.S. 15A-1343(a1). That law says that any of those conditions may be imposed as part of a community or intermediate punishment.

Public Officials - Courts and Judicial Administration Roles
Topics - Courts and Judicial Administration