I don't know how they do it in NC, but in Cali, the defense would have that officer designated as a 'expert witness' and he'd be allowed to give an opinion as to her condition. Of course the defendant's attorney would go into areas such 'her ability to recall, etc etc'.
Does it work that way in NC?
I wait with you for someone knowledgeable to pop up.
We use prelims here in CA, although a GJ is available. It's sort of a cowardly route to take, but some prosecutors use it in iffy cases. NC uses the indicting GJ to initiate all threshhold felony cases. There is no defense presented to the GJ.
Not really. In NC you can be railroaded by Sheriff BillyBob and any idiot that swears out a false warrant to a magistrate. The laws are really stupid here.