IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA22-965
Filed 05 September 2023
Onslow County, No. 21-JB-201
IN THE MATTER OF: S.C.
Appeal by Juvenile-appellant from order entered 23 June 2022 by Judge James
L. Moore Jr. in Onslow County District Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 9
August 2023.
Attorney General Joshua H. Stein, by Assistant Attorney General, Janelle E. Varley, for the State.
Appellate Defender Glenn Gerding, by Assistant Appellate Defender Heidi Reiner, for juvenile-appellant.
MURPHY, Judge.
Juvenile-appellant, Karen,1 appeals the trial court’s adjudication and
disposition orders sentencing her to eight months’ probation. Under N.C.G.S. § 7B-
2405(4), a trial court must advise a juvenile of her right to remain silent against
prejudicial self-incrimination during an adjudicatory hearing. We hold, as the State
concedes, that Karen’s statutory right under N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4) were violated
when she testified without the trial court first conducting a colloquy regarding her
1 We use pseudonyms to protect the identity of all juveniles and for ease of reading. IN RE: S.C.
Opinion of the Court
right to avoid self-incrimination. Accordingly, we vacate the adjudication and
disposition orders and remand for a new hearing.
BACKGROUND
On 10 November 2021, the State filed a juvenile petition alleging that Karen
committed misdemeanor assault against Iris in violation of N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(1).
At the 24 March 2022 adjudicatory hearing, Karen denied the allegation. Karen’s
attorney made a motion to dismiss after the close of the State’s evidence, which the
trial court denied. Karen’s attorney then called her to the witness stand to testify.
The trial court did not ask Karen any questions or engage in a colloquy with her
before she testified about the assault allegation. Nor did the trial court inform Karen
of her right to remain silent; that her testimony could be used against her; or that
she was entitled to invoke her constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.
The contested adjudicatory hearing concluded in the trial court finding Karen
responsible for the lesser included offense of simple assault. Karen’s attorney gave
notice of appeal from the trial court’s adjudication, and no formal disposition order
was entered until 23 June 2022. Karen was sentenced to probation for the simple
assault and appealed. On 1 June 2023, we allowed Karen’s Motion for Peremptory
Setting and Motion to Expedite Consideration.
ANALYSIS
Karen argues that the trial court violated N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4) by allowing
her to testify without first advising her regarding her privilege against self-
-2- IN RE: S.C.
incrimination. Additionally, Karen contends that the error was prejudicial because
her testimony was self-incriminating.2 We agree.
“Our courts have consistently recognized that the State has a greater duty to
protect the rights of a respondent in a juvenile proceeding than in a criminal
prosecution.” In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. 205, 207 (2011), disc. rev. improvidentially
allowed, 365 N.C. 416 (2012) (quoting In re T.E.F., 359 N.C. 570, 575 (2005)).
N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405 provides, in pertinent part, that “the court shall protect the
following rights of the juvenile and the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or custodian to
assure due process of law,” including “[t]he privilege against self-incrimination.”
N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4) (2022) (emphasis added). “[B]y stating that the trial court
shall protect a juvenile’s delineated rights, [the General Assembly] places an
affirmative duty on the trial court to protect . . . a juvenile’s right against self-
incrimination.” In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. at 208 (emphasis added). “The plain
language of N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405 places an affirmative duty on the trial court to protect
the rights delineated therein during a juvenile delinquency adjudication.” In re J.B.,
261 N.C. App. 371, 373 (2018), disc. rev. denied, 372 N.C. 104 (2019).
While N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405 “does not provide the explicit steps a trial court must
follow when advising a juvenile of [her] rights, the statute requires, at the very least,
2 The State agrees with Karen that the trial court did not comply with N.C.S.G. 7B-2405(4) and thus did not properly adjudicate Karen. Further, the State does not dispute Karen’s argument that the testimony was self-incriminatory and therefore prejudicial.
-3- IN RE: S.C.
some colloquy between the trial court and the juvenile to ensure that the juvenile
understands [her] right against self-incrimination before choosing to testify at [her]
adjudication hearing.” In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. at 208-209. Here, the trial court
did not, at any time, discuss with, or inquire from, Karen whether she understood the
implications of testifying. Karen incriminated herself when she testified to
assaulting Iris both on direct and cross examination. On direct examination, Karen
incriminated herself by giving the following testimony:
[COUNSEL]: Based on her demeanor at the time did you believe that there was a chance she may strike you?
[KAREN]: Yeah. That she might try to beat me?
...
[COUNSEL]: Did you ever hit her in the back of the head?
[KAREN]: No. I just punched her face.
After the initial questioning by her attorney, Karen again incriminated herself
by admitting on cross-examination that she “pushed” Iris:
[STATE]: Yes, [Karen], just one—one question. You said before that “after she called me daddy long legs I”— something her. Did you say punched her or pushed?
[KAREN]: Pushed.
[STATE]: Pushed. Thank you.
The State also benefited from re-eliciting Karen’s admission on cross-
examination to secure a simple assault adjudication instead of an assault inflicting
-4- IN RE: S.C.
serious injury. The State’s closing argument relied on Karen’s incriminatory
testimony:
Your Honor, as to the facts that aren’t in dispute that there was some kind of verbal negative interactions like an argument, cursing, shouting match, insults being thrown around, but by [Karen’s] own admission “after she called me daddy long legs, I pushed her,” so there’s—there’s no dispute per the testimony that the—that [Karen] put hands on [Iris] first. So because of that I would ask you to find her guilty.
After the State’s closing argument, the trial court adjudicated Karen
responsible for the simple assault, which Karen admitted to during her responses to
the State’s inquiries.
We held in J.B. that “failure to follow the statutory mandate when conducting
an adjudication hearing constitutes reversible error unless proven to be harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt.” In re J.B., 261 N.C. App. at 373–374 (citing In re J.R.V.,
212 N.C. App. at 209). Likewise, in J.R.V., where “there was absolutely no colloquy
between the juvenile and the trial court,” it was determined that “the trial court’s
failure to follow its statutory mandate” was error. In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. at 209.
Nevertheless, we found harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt in J.R.V. because
“the juvenile’s eventual testimony was not incriminating[] [as] it was either
consistent with the evidence presented by the State or favorable to the juvenile[.]”
Id. at 210. The State has the burden of proving that a violation of a constitutional
right is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. McKoy, 327 N.C.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA22-965
Filed 05 September 2023
Onslow County, No. 21-JB-201
IN THE MATTER OF: S.C.
Appeal by Juvenile-appellant from order entered 23 June 2022 by Judge James
L. Moore Jr. in Onslow County District Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 9
August 2023.
Attorney General Joshua H. Stein, by Assistant Attorney General, Janelle E. Varley, for the State.
Appellate Defender Glenn Gerding, by Assistant Appellate Defender Heidi Reiner, for juvenile-appellant.
MURPHY, Judge.
Juvenile-appellant, Karen,1 appeals the trial court’s adjudication and
disposition orders sentencing her to eight months’ probation. Under N.C.G.S. § 7B-
2405(4), a trial court must advise a juvenile of her right to remain silent against
prejudicial self-incrimination during an adjudicatory hearing. We hold, as the State
concedes, that Karen’s statutory right under N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4) were violated
when she testified without the trial court first conducting a colloquy regarding her
1 We use pseudonyms to protect the identity of all juveniles and for ease of reading. IN RE: S.C.
Opinion of the Court
right to avoid self-incrimination. Accordingly, we vacate the adjudication and
disposition orders and remand for a new hearing.
BACKGROUND
On 10 November 2021, the State filed a juvenile petition alleging that Karen
committed misdemeanor assault against Iris in violation of N.C.G.S. § 14-33(c)(1).
At the 24 March 2022 adjudicatory hearing, Karen denied the allegation. Karen’s
attorney made a motion to dismiss after the close of the State’s evidence, which the
trial court denied. Karen’s attorney then called her to the witness stand to testify.
The trial court did not ask Karen any questions or engage in a colloquy with her
before she testified about the assault allegation. Nor did the trial court inform Karen
of her right to remain silent; that her testimony could be used against her; or that
she was entitled to invoke her constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.
The contested adjudicatory hearing concluded in the trial court finding Karen
responsible for the lesser included offense of simple assault. Karen’s attorney gave
notice of appeal from the trial court’s adjudication, and no formal disposition order
was entered until 23 June 2022. Karen was sentenced to probation for the simple
assault and appealed. On 1 June 2023, we allowed Karen’s Motion for Peremptory
Setting and Motion to Expedite Consideration.
ANALYSIS
Karen argues that the trial court violated N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4) by allowing
her to testify without first advising her regarding her privilege against self-
-2- IN RE: S.C.
incrimination. Additionally, Karen contends that the error was prejudicial because
her testimony was self-incriminating.2 We agree.
“Our courts have consistently recognized that the State has a greater duty to
protect the rights of a respondent in a juvenile proceeding than in a criminal
prosecution.” In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. 205, 207 (2011), disc. rev. improvidentially
allowed, 365 N.C. 416 (2012) (quoting In re T.E.F., 359 N.C. 570, 575 (2005)).
N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405 provides, in pertinent part, that “the court shall protect the
following rights of the juvenile and the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or custodian to
assure due process of law,” including “[t]he privilege against self-incrimination.”
N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4) (2022) (emphasis added). “[B]y stating that the trial court
shall protect a juvenile’s delineated rights, [the General Assembly] places an
affirmative duty on the trial court to protect . . . a juvenile’s right against self-
incrimination.” In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. at 208 (emphasis added). “The plain
language of N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405 places an affirmative duty on the trial court to protect
the rights delineated therein during a juvenile delinquency adjudication.” In re J.B.,
261 N.C. App. 371, 373 (2018), disc. rev. denied, 372 N.C. 104 (2019).
While N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405 “does not provide the explicit steps a trial court must
follow when advising a juvenile of [her] rights, the statute requires, at the very least,
2 The State agrees with Karen that the trial court did not comply with N.C.S.G. 7B-2405(4) and thus did not properly adjudicate Karen. Further, the State does not dispute Karen’s argument that the testimony was self-incriminatory and therefore prejudicial.
-3- IN RE: S.C.
some colloquy between the trial court and the juvenile to ensure that the juvenile
understands [her] right against self-incrimination before choosing to testify at [her]
adjudication hearing.” In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. at 208-209. Here, the trial court
did not, at any time, discuss with, or inquire from, Karen whether she understood the
implications of testifying. Karen incriminated herself when she testified to
assaulting Iris both on direct and cross examination. On direct examination, Karen
incriminated herself by giving the following testimony:
[COUNSEL]: Based on her demeanor at the time did you believe that there was a chance she may strike you?
[KAREN]: Yeah. That she might try to beat me?
...
[COUNSEL]: Did you ever hit her in the back of the head?
[KAREN]: No. I just punched her face.
After the initial questioning by her attorney, Karen again incriminated herself
by admitting on cross-examination that she “pushed” Iris:
[STATE]: Yes, [Karen], just one—one question. You said before that “after she called me daddy long legs I”— something her. Did you say punched her or pushed?
[KAREN]: Pushed.
[STATE]: Pushed. Thank you.
The State also benefited from re-eliciting Karen’s admission on cross-
examination to secure a simple assault adjudication instead of an assault inflicting
-4- IN RE: S.C.
serious injury. The State’s closing argument relied on Karen’s incriminatory
testimony:
Your Honor, as to the facts that aren’t in dispute that there was some kind of verbal negative interactions like an argument, cursing, shouting match, insults being thrown around, but by [Karen’s] own admission “after she called me daddy long legs, I pushed her,” so there’s—there’s no dispute per the testimony that the—that [Karen] put hands on [Iris] first. So because of that I would ask you to find her guilty.
After the State’s closing argument, the trial court adjudicated Karen
responsible for the simple assault, which Karen admitted to during her responses to
the State’s inquiries.
We held in J.B. that “failure to follow the statutory mandate when conducting
an adjudication hearing constitutes reversible error unless proven to be harmless
beyond a reasonable doubt.” In re J.B., 261 N.C. App. at 373–374 (citing In re J.R.V.,
212 N.C. App. at 209). Likewise, in J.R.V., where “there was absolutely no colloquy
between the juvenile and the trial court,” it was determined that “the trial court’s
failure to follow its statutory mandate” was error. In re J.R.V., 212 N.C. App. at 209.
Nevertheless, we found harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt in J.R.V. because
“the juvenile’s eventual testimony was not incriminating[] [as] it was either
consistent with the evidence presented by the State or favorable to the juvenile[.]”
Id. at 210. The State has the burden of proving that a violation of a constitutional
right is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. McKoy, 327 N.C. 31, 44 (1990).
-5- IN RE: S.C.
Here, the State concedes reversible error.
In J.B., “the State offered [the complaining party’s] testimony to establish the
basis of the assault charge that [the juvenile] threw the milk carton hitting [the
complaining party] in the face.” In re J.B., 261 N.C. App. at 374. Later, when “[the
juvenile] made incriminating statements as he admitted to throwing the milk carton
out of frustration . . . the State used the admission to further support” its assertion
against the juvenile. Id. We held that “[the juvenile’s] testimony and the manner in
which the State attempted to use the testimony was prejudicial.” Id. Like in J.B.,
here, Karen’s testimony was undoubtedly incriminatory as she admitted having
either “pushed” or “punched” Iris during their altercation. The State’s re-eliciting of
Karen’s admission on cross-examination to secure a simple assault adjudication
against her was prejudicial.
The trial court did not conduct the colloquy as required by statute, which
violated Karen’s rights, and rendered her testimony inadmissible and prejudicial.
N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4) (2023). As the trial court failed in its duty to protect [Karen’s]
constitutional right against self-incrimination, we vacate the adjudication order and
remand for rehearing.
CONCLUSION
The trial court erred by failing to comply with N.C.G.S. § 7B-2405(4). The trial
court failed to have a colloquy with Karen to advise her of her privilege against self-
incrimination before she testified. Further, Karen’s self-incriminating testimony was
-6- IN RE: S.C.
not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. We vacate the trial court’s adjudication and
disposition orders and remand for a new adjudicatory hearing on simple assault.
VACATED AND REMANDED.
Judges HAMPSON and WOOD concur.
-7-