N.C. Gen. Stat. » Chapter 14
NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-2.5 (2026)

Punishment for attempt to commit a felony or misdemeanor

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Unless a different classification is expressly stated, an attempt to commit a misdemeanor or a felony is punishable under the next lower classification as the offense which the offender attempted to commit.  An attempt to commit a Class A or Class B1 felony is a Class B2 felony, an attempt to commit a Class B2 felony is a Class C felony, an attempt to commit a Class I felony is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and an attempt to commit a Class 3 misdemeanor is a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1993, c. 538, s. 6; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 22, s. 11, c. 24, s. 14(b).)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1999–2026 · leading case: State v. Floyd, 794 S.E.2d 460 (N.C. 2016).
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State v. Floyd, 794 S.E.2d 460 (N.C. 2016). · cites it 17× “See N.C.G.S. § 14-2.5. The majority’s holding here undermines the legislature’s determination of how to differentiate and punish different types of assault by sanctioning charging and convicting defendants of a felony when these defendants would otherwise be facing a misdemeanor…”
State v. Melton, 821 S.E.2d 424 (N.C. 2018). · cites it 6× “An attempt to commit a Class A or Class B1 felony is a Class B2 felony, an attempt to commit a Class B2 felony is a Class C felony, an attempt to commit a Class I felony is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and an attempt to commit a Class 3 misdemeanor is a Class 3 misdemeanor.”
State v. Hanton, 623 S.E.2d 600 (N.C. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 4× “Under N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-2.5 (2003), "an attempt to commit a misdemeanor or a felony is punishable under the next lower classification as the offense the offender attempted to commit.”
State v. Ross, 727 S.E.2d 370 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 4× “Regarding the classification of an attempt to commit a misdemeanor or a felony, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-2.5 (2011) provides that “[u]nless a different classification is expressly stated, an attempt to commit a misdemeanor or a felony is punishable under the next lower…”
State v. Stevenson, 523 S.E.2d 734 (N.C. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 4× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-2.5 (Cum. Supp. 1998) (emphasis added).”
State v. Clark, 527 S.E.2d 319 (N.C. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 2× “See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-2.5 (1999). This general rule does not necessarily hold true for controlled substance offenses.”
State v. Bennett, 510 S.E.2d 698 (N.C. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 8× “Even though "attempts to damage" was removed from the statute, the defendant can properly be convicted for an attempt to commit this crime which is punishable under N.C. Gen.Stat. § 14-2.5 at one classification lower than the offense charged.”
State v. Ellis, 657 S.E.2d 51 (N.C. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-2.5 (2005). By also making attempted computer solicitation a felony, the legislature merely increased the severity of the crime; it did not create' the new crime of attempt.”
State v. Irvins, 858 S.E.2d 300 (N.C. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 4× “5 as a Class 2 misdemeanor, the next lower classification of a Class 1 misdemeanor larceny under N.C. Gen. Stat.”
State v. Irvins, 858 S.E.2d 300 (N.C. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 4× “5 as a Class 2 misdemeanor, the next lower classification of a Class 1 misdemeanor larceny under N.C. Gen. Stat.”
In re J.D., 852 S.E.2d 36 (N.C. 2020). · cites it 3×
State v. Jones, 866 S.E.2d 509 (N.C. Ct. App. 2021).
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