N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-320 (2026)

If the condition of such bond be broken, the sheriff or other officer, on giving 10 days' previous notice in writing to any obligor therein, may on motion have judgment against him in a summary manner, before the superior court or before the district court, as the case may be, of the county in which the officer resides, for all damages which the officer has sustained, or may be adjudged liable to sustain, not exceeding the penalty of the bond, to be ascertained by a jury, under the direction of the court. (1822, c. 1141, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, s. 23; Code, s. 465; Rev., s. 635; C.S., s. 681; 1971, c. 268, s. 14.)