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This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on October 7, 2026. Appeal as to purported errors in the jury instructions on self-defense […]
National headlines this week have focused on the failed execution of Christa Pike. She was sentenced to death in Tennessee for fatally stabbing her classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995. Last […]
The latest version of the Structured Sentencing Statistical Report from the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission is now available here. As always, it is a goldmine of sentencing […]
In the criminal law context, magistrates primarily conduct initial appearances for individuals who have just been arrested, issue criminal process in the form of charging documents, and issue search warrants. […]
Deborah is charged with a high-level felony offense for which a judicial official imposes a $1,000,000 secured bond. Deborah—not having the cash on hand or a mortgage sufficient to cover […]
Magistrates regularly determine whether probable cause exists to issue search warrants, see G.S. 15A-245(b), arrest warrants, see G.S. 15A-304(d), and criminal summonses, see G.S. 15A-303(c). They also decide whether probable […]
Police in Santa Ana, California, issued a public advisory on Monday after receiving a report of a large snake in a tree in a residential neighborhood. The snake was believed […]
I am pleased to announce the publication of a new Administration of Justice Bulletin explaining the standards for and procedures governing the discipline, suspension, and removal of various North Carolina […]
This year, the School has been tasked with several projects under the research mandate in Session Law 2025-93 (H.B. 307, “Iryna’s Law”). This post summarizes the preliminary findings for one […]
WUNC reports that Tailei Qi was found not guilty by reason of insanity this week for the 2023 on-campus shooting death of Zijie Yan, an associate professor at UNC Chapel […]