If you’ve received a citation, warrant, indictment, or court notice, you may notice abbreviations instead of full offense names. While these abbreviations are helpful shorthand, they do not explain the legal elements of an offense, the level of the charge, or the potential penalties. The controlling authority is always the applicable statute and the official charging document.
Attorneys at Martine Law explain many of the abbreviations commonly found on criminal and family court records. Abbreviations may vary slightly between counties, law enforcement agencies, and court management systems. The full legal description in the charging document governs the case.
How to Read North Carolina Court Abbreviations
Not every abbreviation refers to a criminal offense. Some identify:
- Criminal charges
- Felony or misdemeanor classifications
- Court procedures
- Protective orders
- Family law proceedings
- Judicial agencies and court systems
Understanding the category can make it easier to interpret your court paperwork.
Court Procedure and Judicial System Abbreviations
Not every abbreviation identifies a criminal offense. Some refer to court procedures, agencies, or case management systems.
| Abbreviation | Legal Description |
|---|---|
| NCGS | North Carolina General Statutes |
| NCAWARE | North Carolina’s statewide electronic warrant repository and criminal process management system |
| AOC | Administrative Office of the Courts |
| DA | District Attorney |
| ADA | Assistant District Attorney |
| SBI | State Bureau of Investigation |
| CCS | Clerk of Superior Court |
| FTA | Failure to Appear |
| PJC | Prayer for Judgment Continued |
| VOP | Violation of Probation |
| CONT | Continued |
| DISM | Dismissed |
Family Law Abbreviations
You may encounter these abbreviations in family court proceedings.
| Abbreviation | Legal Description |
|---|---|
| ABS | Absolute Divorce |
| DBB | Divorce from Bed and Board |
| ED | Equitable Distribution |
| AL | Alimony |
| PSS | Post-Separation Support |
| CS | Child Support |
| CUST | Child Custody |
| VIS | Visitation |
| GAL | Guardian ad Litem |
| DSS | Department of Social Services |
Felony and Misdemeanor Classification Abbreviations
The state classifies criminal offenses by felony and misdemeanor classes, which affect sentencing ranges.
| Abbreviation | Legal Description |
|---|---|
| FEL | Felony |
| MISD | Misdemeanor |
| INF | Infraction |
| Class A–I | Felony Class |
| Class A1 | Class A1 Misdemeanor |
| Class 1 | Class 1 Misdemeanor |
| Class 2 | Class 2 Misdemeanor |
| Class 3 | Class 3 Misdemeanor |
Domestic Violence and Protective Order Abbreviations
Some abbreviations relate to protective orders or offenses commonly charged in domestic violence cases.
| Abbreviation | Official Legal Description |
|---|---|
| DV | Domestic Violence (general case designation) |
| DVPO | Domestic Violence Protective Order |
| 50B | Protective Order issued under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes |
| 50C | Civil No-Contact Order |
| VPO | Violation of Protective Order |
| NCO | No-Contact Order |
| CT | Communicating Threats |
Assault Charge Abbreviations
The statutes recognize several assault offenses that differ based on factors such as the type of weapon used, the victim’s injuries, and the defendant’s alleged intent.
| Abbreviation | Official Legal Description |
|---|---|
| ASLT | Assault |
| AOF | Assault on a Female |
| AWDW | Assault with a Deadly Weapon |
| AWDWISI | Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury |
| AWDWIK | Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill |
| AWDWIKISI | Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury |
| AGO | Assault on a Government Official |
| AWDWOGO | Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official |
| ASTRANG | Assault Inflicting Physical Injury by Strangulation |
Drug Crime Abbreviations
Drug charges frequently appear in abbreviated form on criminal citations and indictments.
| Abbreviation | Official Legal Description |
|---|---|
| PCS | Possession of a Controlled Substance |
| CDS | Controlled Substance |
| PWISD | Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver |
| PWIMSD | Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver |
| MFG | Manufacture of a Controlled Substance |
| DEL | Delivery of a Controlled Substance |
| TRAFF | Trafficking in a Controlled Substance |
| POSS PARA | Possession of Drug Paraphernalia |
Theft and Property Crime Abbreviations
Property crimes include offenses involving theft, fraud, and unlawful entry.
| Abbreviation | Official Legal Description |
|---|---|
| LARC | Larceny |
| B&E | Breaking or Entering |
| BEMV | Breaking or Entering a Motor Vehicle |
| OFP | Obtaining Property by False Pretenses |
| EMBZ | Embezzlement |
| FORG | Forgery |
| UTT | Uttering a Forged Instrument |
DWI and Traffic Offense Abbreviations
Traffic offenses often appear in abbreviated form on citations and driving records.
| Abbreviation | Official Legal Description |
|---|---|
| DWI | Driving While Impaired |
| DWLR | Driving While License Revoked |
| DWLS | Driving While License Suspended |
| NOL | No Operator’s License |
| ELUDE | Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle |
| RECK DRIV | Reckless Driving |
| SPD | Speeding |
Sex Crime Abbreviations
Certain sex offense abbreviations may appear on indictments, judgments, or criminal history records.
| Abbreviation | Official Legal Description |
|---|---|
| FSO | Forcible Sexual Offense |
| RAPE | Forcible Rape |
| SEX BAT | Sexual Battery |
| INDEC LIB | Indecent Liberties with a Child |
| FTR | Failure to Register as a Sex Offender |
Why Do Courts Use Criminal Charge Abbreviations?
The law enforcement agencies, clerks of court, prosecutors, and court management systems often use abbreviated offense descriptions to conserve space on citations, warrants, criminal summonses, indictments, court calendars, and criminal history records. These abbreviations provide standardized shorthand for identifying the alleged offense, while the complete legal description appears in the charging document and the applicable statute.
Because abbreviations may vary slightly across counties, agencies, or software systems, the exact wording in one court document may differ from that in another, even when referring to the same criminal offense.
Note: Many abbreviations shown here are commonly used in North Carolina court records, law enforcement systems, and the AOC case management system. Because local agencies and software platforms may use different abbreviations, the same offense may appear differently on different court documents.
Why Criminal Charge Abbreviations Matter
Although abbreviations help identify an alleged offense or court proceeding, they do not explain the elements of the charge, available defenses, or potential consequences. For example, PWISD identifies the offense of Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver a Controlled Substance, but the prosecution must still prove every statutory element beyond a reasonable doubt. Likewise, seeing AWDW on a charging document does not establish that the defendant committed the offense.
If you are unsure what an abbreviation on your court paperwork means, review the complete charging document and the applicable statute. An attorney can also explain how the charge applies to your specific case.
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in North Carolina or need help understanding the abbreviations on your court paperwork, Martine Law is ready to assist. Our criminal defense attorneys can explain your charges, evaluate the evidence, and help you pursue the strongest available defense. Call Martine Law today at +1 (704) 842-3411 to schedule a confidential consultation and take the next step toward protecting your future.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact Martine Law.