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Stein appoints 2 judges, new Johnston County DA
Gov. Josh Stein has filled two vacancies on the District Court bench and a third position among the state’s district attorneys. Appointed to the bench were Caroline F. Quinn in […]
Court dismisses challenge to NC anti-rioting law
RALEIGH — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a civil rights group challenging North Carolina‘s anti-rioting law, whose criminal penalties were raised last year by state legislators. […]
Cline decision offers clarity on state DA ouster law
What it takes to eject a district attorney from office got a little clearer when the North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the removal of former Durham County DA Tracey Cline on Oct. 1. It’s the second time the state’s law on removing a DA has ever been successfully applied.
Outgoing Mecklenburg D.A. sued over firing
Outgoing Mecklenburg County District Attorney Peter S. Gilchrist III was sued Dec. 15 by former Assistant District Attorney Sean P. Smith in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Smith was elected district court judge in November. Gilchrist terminated Smith in July after Smith gave an interview to Charlotte's FOX affiliate about a driving school program Gilchrist deve[...]
Letter to the Editor, Aug. 30, 2010
As a criminal defense lawyer in Mecklenburg County, I share Judge Smith’s and Alan Brotherton’s concerns about the “driving school” as it is currently administered in this jurisdiction. [See story […]
Investigation into Mecklenburg PJC arrangement begins
Officials in Mecklenburg County are exploring the legality and appropriateness of the relationship among the district attorney's office, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the local courts and the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina, a nonprofit organization that offers defensive-driving courses to ticketed motorists. Mecklenburg County Chief District Court Judge Lisa Bell (pictu[...]
District court judge inquires about propriety of driving school
A district court judge has written to the state attorney general and N.C. State Bar counsel about his concerns over the relationship among the district attorney's office, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the local courts and the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina - a nonprofit organization that offers defensive-driving courses to ticketed motorists. Former Mecklenburg County a[...]
ADA’s firing shines light on traffic school ‘arrangement’
A Mecklenburg County assistant district attorney says he was terminated because he gave an interview to Charlotte's FOX affiliate. The attorney, Sean P. Smith, is a candidate for the district court seat held since 2009 by Gov. Bev Perdue appointee Tyyawdi M. Hands. Smith said that in the Mecklenburg district attorney's office, "You don't talk about certain things." He gave the interview on J[...]
Top Legal News
- Deleted files cost defendants in trade secret case, NC Supreme Court rules
- Telecoms denied right to jury in FCC data security actions
- Anthropic urges AI labs to pause development, warns humans risk losing control
- Guilty plea barred direct appeal of habitual felon challenge
- Fabrication claims revived in wrongful conviction lawsuit
- AG Jackson joins coalition urging Congress to reject federal children’s online safety bill
- US Supreme Court sides with FCC in clash with wireless carriers over fines
- Oral compensation agreement claim survives against drone company
- US cites forced labor concerns as grounds for new tariffs
- Future mortgage-interest damages recoverable after delayed home closing
- Excessive force allegations against officers survive dismissal
Commentary
- AI divorce is real, but family law can still save itself
- ‘AI won’t take your job’ and other things CEOs say before the layoffs
- When not to believe (your lyin’ eyes)
- Conduct a technology audit to improve law firm efficiency
- When the client brings ChatGPT to the consultation
- Content Marketing: Where law firms lose referrals and how to prevent it
- Your best people are not leaving for more money — they are leaving because you stopped paying attention
- Best at Work Insights: The choice we’re making about AI
- New life for the noncompete
- 2026: The year of tech, both heroes and villains
- Beyond burnout: The case for workplaces where people thrive
- The December question every leader should anticipate
