News Roundup
On Monday, the Louisiana Senate unanimously passed a bill that would make it a crime to knowingly import, transport, buy, sell, manufacture, or possess a child sex doll. According to […]
Case Summaries: N.C. Court of Appeals (March 19, 2024)
This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on March 19, 2024. These summaries will be added to Smith’s Criminal Case Compendium, a […]
Case Summaries: Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (Feb. 2024)
This post summarizes published criminal law and related cases released by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals during February 2024. Cases of potential interest to state practitioners are summarized monthly. […]
Recordings by Government Officials
This post is co-authored with SOG faculty member Kristina Wilson and is cross-posted to the Coates’ Canons blog. When and how can state and local government officials and employees record […]
Immigration Consequences of DV Offenses: Stalking and Violation of DVPOs
Last week, in the first part of this two-part series, I talked about the “crime of domestic violence” ground of deportability for noncitizens and what role convictions of North Carolina […]
News Roundup
Raleigh is ending its red-light camera program after two decades of operation. The News and Observer has the story here. Red-light camera programs across North Carolina have steadily folded following […]
Court of Appeals Holds that State Constitution Prohibits Substitution of Alternate Jurors After Deliberations Begin
Author’s Note: The North Carolina Supreme Court in State v. Chambers, 56PA24, __ N.C. __ (May 23, 2025), reversed the opinion below, holding that provisions of G.S. 15A-1215(a) permitting the […]
Case Summary: McElrath v. Georgia (SCOTUS)
This post summarizes McElrath v. Georgia from the Supreme Court of the United States, decided on February 21, 2024. This summary will be added to Smith’s Criminal Case Compendium, a […]
Within the Four Corners: Scouring Indictments for Missing Elements in State v. Jackson and State v. Coffey.
Two recent opinions from the Court of Appeals illustrate the remarkable controversy currently underway over the specificity required of indictments. In State v. Coffey, No. COA22-883, 2024 WL 675881 (N.C. […]
Immigration Consequences of DV Offenses: Crimes of Domestic Violence
A noncitizen can lose status—that is, the right to be in the U.S.—and be forced to leave if he or she comes within a ground of deportability. In general, the […]