News Roundup
195 new bills were filed in the North Carolina Senate yesterday, the deadline for filing new bills in that chamber this session. I haven’t reviewed all the new bills – […]
The Fuel Efficiency of Law Enforcement Vehicles
I live in Durham, where the ELF is built. The ELF is a pedal-and-electric-powered reverse tricycle with an egg-shaped body and a solar panel roof. It is certainly unique. A […]
Discovery and Testimony about an Expert’s Experience with Sexual Abuse Victims
The rules of thumb about expert testimony in child sexual abuse cases are (1) that an expert can’t testify that a child was, in fact, abused absent physical evidence, and […]
Two-Timing on the Weekends is Allowed . . . and Other Rules for DWI Sentences
Spring is upon us, and today’s post addresses the top five DWI sentencing questions of the season.
When Probation Begins
When a defendant is convicted of more than one crime, there are decisions to be made about how the sentences for those convictions will fit together. Generally speaking, they may […]
News Roundup
I’ve had a couple of inquiries about this WRAL story, which begins: “A Charlotte man who stands at his front door naked is upsetting his neighbors, but police say he […]
New Crimes Supplement Now Available
North Carolina Crimes is one of the School of Government’s most indispensable criminal law titles. The latest and greatest annual supplement to the book is now available. The new cumulative supplement covers legislation […]
Not So Fast: Dismissal of DWI Charges for Failure to Schedule Trial in 30 Days
Defendants who drive while impaired while their licenses are revoked for another impaired driving offense or who drive while impaired without a license and without car insurance risk more than […]
Time Actually Served
A defendant is sentenced to 10–21 months for a Class H felony. How much time will he or she actually serve? What about a Class D felon sentenced to 59–83 […]
The State Bar Addresses Lawyers, Judges, and Social Media
The North Carolina State Bar recently adopted 2014 FEO 8, an ethics opinion concerning lawyers’ and judges’ use of social media. The opinion answers some questions, but raises others.