In State v. Bolinger, 320 N.C. 596, 601-02, 359 S.E.2d 459, 462 (1987), the Supreme Court further held that when a defendant contends that a trial court improperly accepted his guilty plea, he "may obtain appellate review of this issue only upon grant of a writ of certiorari." 320 N.C. at 601, 359 S.E.2d at 462. Although the defendant in Bolinger had not petitioned for writ of certiorari, the Supreme Court nonetheless "chose to review the merits of defendant's contention." Id. at 602, 359 S.E.2d at 462.