State v. Stanley

ARNOLD, Judge.

Appellant argues that the solicitor’s two year delay in filing the petition violated G.S. 20-223. That statute provides that

“[t]he District Attorney, upon receiving the aforesaid abstract from the Commissioner, shall forthwith file a petition against the person named therein in the superior court division of the county wherein such person resides . . . [emphasis added].”

Appellant argues that forthwith, as used in the statute, means “immediately.” However, the word forthwith can also mean “within a reasonable time under the circumstances” or “as soon as reasonably can be…