NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15-170 (2026)

Conviction for a less degree or an attempt

✓ current as of July 2026
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Upon the trial of any indictment the prisoner may be convicted of the crime charged therein or of a less degree of the same crime, or of an attempt to commit the crime so charged, or of an attempt to commit a less degree of the same crime. (1891, c. 205, s. 2; Rev., s. 3269; C.S., s. 4640.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 137 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1944–2022 · leading case: State v. Whiteside, 383 S.E.2d 911 (N.C. 1989).
State v. Whiteside, 383 S.E.2d 911 (N.C. 1989). · cites it 17× “N.C.G.S. § 15-170, which is also relevant, provides: Upon the trial of any indictment the prisoner may be convicted of the crime charged therein or of a less degree of the same crime, or of an attempt to commit the crime so charged, or of an attempt to commit a less degree of…”
State v. Collins, 431 S.E.2d 188 (N.C. 1993). · cites it 10× “" N.C.G.S. § 15-170 (1983). Further, it has long been established that, absent statutory provisions to the contrary, an attempt to commit a felony is a misdemeanor.”
State v. Thomas, 386 S.E.2d 555 (N.C. 1989). · cites it 8× “The pertinent statute, N.C.G.S. § 15-170 (1983), provides: Upon the trial of any indictment the prisoner may be convicted of the crime charged therein or of a less degree of the same crime, or of an attempt to commit the crime so charged, or of an attempt to commit a less degree…”
State v. Brewer, 386 S.E.2d 569 (N.C. 1989). · cites it 12× “The relevant statute is N.C.G.S. § 15-170: Upon the trial of any indictment the prisoner may be convicted of the crime charged therein or of a less degree of the same crime, or of an attempt to commit the crime so charged, or of an attempt to commit a less degree of the same…”
State v. Schalow, 795 S.E.2d 567 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 8× “§ 15-144 in conjunction with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15-170 . Id . N.C. Gen.”
State v. Stokes, 756 S.E.2d 32 (N.C. 2014). · cites it 8× “for consideration of whether defendant’s actions satisfy the elements of attempted kidnapping under N.C.G.S. § 15-170.” On remand the Court of Appeals concluded: *476 [W]e find a discussion of attempted second-degree kidnapping to be inappropriate here for the following reasons:…”
State v. Camacho, 446 S.E.2d 8 (N.C. 1994). · cites it 6× “See N.C.G.S. § 15-170 (1983) ("upon the trial of any indictment the prisoner may be convicted of the crime charged therein or of a less degree of the same crime"); N.”
State v. Reid, 625 S.E.2d 575 (N.C. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 6× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15-170 (2005). The North Carolina Supreme Court has held that when Section 15-144 is construed alongside Section 15-170, the use of a short-form indictment to charge attempted first-degree murder is authorized.”
State v. Young, 289 S.E.2d 374 (N.C. 1982). · cites it 6× “Nevertheless, defendant essentially asks us to reexamine the validity of the foregoing precedent in light of his contentions that: (1) larceny from the person is not a crime of “less degree” of common law robbery, under G.S. 15-170, because both crimes are felonies carrying the…”
State v. McVay, 620 S.E.2d 883 (N.C. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 6× “” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15-170 (2003). The North Carolina Supreme Court has held that when N.”
State v. Wilson, 497 S.E.2d 416 (N.C. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 3× “§ 15-169 (providing that when a defendant charged with any felony involving an assault upon the person the jury may acquit on the felony charged and convict defendant of the assault) and N.C.G.S. § 15-170 (providing that a defendant may be convicted of a lesser degree of the…”
People v. Fontenot, 447 P.3d 252 (Cal. 2019). “501 ; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15-170 ; N.J. Stat. Ann.”
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