N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 42-65
Obstructing the execution or enforcement of a removal or eviction order.
Operative Text
Any person who knowingly violates any order issued pursuant to this Article or who knowingly interferes with, obstructs, impairs, or prevents any law enforcement officer from enforcing or executing any order issued pursuant to this Article, shall be subject to criminal contempt under Article 1 of Chapter 5A of the General Statutes. Nothing in this section shall be construed in any way to preclude or preempt prosecution for any other criminal offense. (1995, c. 419, s. 1.)
North Carolina General Statute § 42-65 makes it a criminal matter for any person to knowingly violate a court order issued under the eviction article, or to knowingly interfere with, obstruct, impair, or prevent a law enforcement officer from carrying out such an order. Violations can result in criminal contempt proceedings under North Carolina's contempt statutes. The provision also clarifies that this exposure does not shield anyone from prosecution for other criminal offenses that may arise from the same conduct.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-65, once a court has issued a removal or eviction order, landlords and property managers should be aware that the legal process is backed by criminal contempt authority. Compliant operators generally allow law enforcement to execute court orders without interference and refrain from taking any action that could be construed as obstructing the process. Understanding that this provision operates alongside other criminal statutes helps operators appreciate the seriousness of court-ordered eviction proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-65 establishes that knowingly obstructing or interfering with the enforcement of an eviction order can expose any person—including third parties—to criminal contempt charges. Tenants facing an eviction order may wish to understand their rights at each stage of the process, including whether proper procedures were followed before the order was issued, as procedural defects can sometimes be raised as defenses. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with North Carolina eviction law can help tenants understand what options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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