NC Foreclosure - Removing Previous Owner Legally

[Austin White]

BP community, I need your help. The property in question is in North Carolina.

I purchased a foreclosed property from the courthouse back in April this year. Unfortunately, the previous owner refuses to leave. We initially offered cash for keys with no luck. Then, my property manager formally notified him that he was being evicted. We then waited the required 30 day period. Today was our court date and the magistrate said that the eviction process for a tenant (with a lease in place) is not the same as with a previous owner so he closed the case. He notified my PM that I required an attorney to file a criminal claim against the individual. I'm tying to figure our exactly what the next steps should be. Do I absolutely need to get an attorney involved to file a suit or can I have the Sheriff file a report of trespassing? The property is legally and lawfully in my name.

Any help/insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks
 

[Adam Schneider]

@Austin White Pro Tip: Provide the location (city/county) so that someone in BP can recommend a local attorney in the appropriate area.