If you’ve been accused of committing a crime in North Carolina, the way the charge (the legal process) is instituted and a court date is set can make a big difference.
Generally speaking, a criminal summons is a document issued that orders a person to appear in court to answer charges of committing a crime.
A criminal summons may be issued for felony or misdemeanor charges or a criminal infraction; they tend to be used less frequently for felony charges.