Cyberstalking and Free Speech
Jeff Welty
In recent months, I have received several questions about what North Carolina’s cyberstalking statute covers and whether it may infringe on First Amendment free speech rights. This post addresses several […]
April 13, 2026
In recent months, I have received several questions about what North Carolina’s cyberstalking statute covers and whether it may infringe on First Amendment free speech rights. This post addresses several […]
Read post "Cyberstalking and Free Speech"April 1, 2026
Earlier this year, I attended the North Carolina Oral Fluid Summit sponsored by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. The focus of the Summit […]
Read post "Developments in Roadside Drug Testing"March 25, 2026
This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Supreme Court released on March 20, 2026. Circumstantial evidence was sufficient to submit robbery with a dangerous weapon to […]
Read post "Case Summaries: N.C. Supreme Court (Mar. 20, 2026)"March 11, 2026
In an earlier post, I discussed one category of unprotected speech that may be criminally punished consistent with the First Amendment, speech integral to criminal conduct. My former colleague Jonathan […]
Read post "Criminalizing Offensive Speech: The Fighting Words Exception to the First Amendment"March 3, 2026
Hazing has plagued college campuses for decades, and that unfortunately has not changed in recent years. A fraternity at the University of Iowa was recently suspended following the investigation of […]
Read post "A Look at the North Carolina Hazing Law"February 16, 2026
Most law enforcement officers don’t wear masks, but in recent immigration enforcement surges, many ICE officers have done so. ICE apparently permits the practice but does not require it. Proponents […]
Read post "Federal Court Enjoins California’s Law Prohibiting Federal Law Enforcement Officers from Wearing Masks"January 15, 2026
I wrote here about the North Carolina Court of Appeals decision in State v. Calderon, 290 N.C. App. 344 (2023), which set forth a new test for determining whether multiple […]
Read post "NC Supreme Court Clarifies Test for Determining When Acts Support Multiple Counts of Indecent Liberties"January 14, 2026
Not much has changed for cannabis law at the state level since my last post on the topic. I noted there that several defendants were seeking review before the North […]
Read post "Winter 2026 Cannabis Update"January 13, 2026
A short-form murder indictment generally will not support a conviction for assault. That, at any rate, was the rule prior to State v. Singleton, 386 N.C. 183 (2024) (holding that […]
Read post "Good for the Goose: Court of Appeals Sustains Pre-Singleton Rule in State v. Ramsey"January 7, 2026
I am excited to announce a new edition of Driver’s License Revocations, Restorations, and Limited Driving Privileges in North Carolina. First published in 2024 by my colleague Shea Denning, this […]
Read post "New Edition of Driver’s License Revocations, Restorations, and Limited Driving Privileges"