N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-5: Criminal action.

A criminal action is -

(1) An action prosecuted by the State as a party, against a person charged with a public offense, for the punishment thereof.

(2) An action prosecuted by the State, at the instance of an individual, to prevent an apprehended crime against his person or property. (Const., art. 4, s. 1; C.C.P., s. 5; Code, s. 129; Rev., s. 350; C.S., s. 395.)