Recent Legislation Outlaws Street Takeovers
Last month the General Assembly enacted new G.S. 20-141.10 criminalizing so-called street takeovers. S.L. 2023-97. A street takeover occurs when a person blocks or impedes traffic on a highway, street, […]
The Criminal Night: trespassing in space and time
I recently participated in a webinar with my colleagues Chris McLaughlin and Kirk Boone about the right of tax appraisers to enter private property. The webinar is available for purchase […]
August 22nd Webinar: Reimaging Police Crisis Response
On August 22, 2023, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm EST, the UNC School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab (the Lab) will host a FREE webinar, Reimagining Police Crisis […]
News Roundup
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was indicted for a third time. Trump previously was indicted in New York state court for allegations that he paid hush-money to an adult […]
Case Summaries: N.C. Court of Appeals (August 1, 2023)
This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on August 1, 2023. These summaries will be added to Smith’s Criminal Case Compendium, a […]
Officer Discretion and Failure to Discharge Duties under G.S. 14-230
Law enforcement officers can’t cite every jaywalker, stop every speeder, and arrest every underage drinker, nor would most people want them to do so. Wisely exercising discretion is an important […]
News Roundup
Hunter Biden has been the focus of journalistic, criminal, and political investigations for years as a result of questionable overseas business dealings and other alleged misconduct. Earlier this week, he […]
Updated Chapters in Superior Court Judges’ Benchbook
I’m writing this week to let readers know that several chapters in the criminal law section of the Superior Court Judges’ Benchbook, a resource created and formerly edited by my […]
The Adolescent Brain and Mens Rea
Delinquency adjudications and criminal convictions of minors who have been transferred to Superior Court for trial as adults both require that the elements of the offense charged are proved beyond […]
Case Summaries: N.C. Court of Appeals (July 18, 2023)
This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on July 18, 2023. These summaries will be added to Smith’s Criminal Case Compendium, a […]