N.C. Gen. Stat. § 78D-32 (2026)

It shall not be necessary to negative any of the exemptions of this Chapter in any complaint, information or indictment, or any writ or proceeding brought under this chapter; and the burden of proof of any such exemption shall be upon the party claiming the same. (1989, c. 634, s. 1.)

§ 78D-33.  Affirmative defense.

It shall be a defense in any complaint, information, indictment, any writ or proceeding brought under this Chapter alleging a violation of G.S. 78D-2 based solely on the failure in an individual case to make physical delivery within the applicable time period under G.S. 78D-1(5) or G.S. 78D-4(a)(2) if the party asserting the defense sustains the burden of proof that:

(1) Failure to make physical delivery was due solely to factors beyond the control of the seller, the seller's officers, directors, partners, agents, servants or employees, every person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, every person who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by the seller, or any of them, the seller's affiliates, subsidiaries or successors; and

(2) Physical delivery was completed within a reasonable time under the applicable circumstances. (1989, c. 634, s. 1.)