Section 15A-1217 - Number of peremptory challenges(a) Capital cases. (1) Each defendant is allowed 14 challenges.(2) The State is allowed 14 challenges for each defendant.(b) Noncapital cases. (1) Each defendant is allowed six challenges.(2) The State is allowed six challenges for each defendant.(c) Each party is entitled to one peremptory challenge for each alternate juror in addition to any unused challenges.N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1217