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State files answer for Mecklenburg D.A. in fired prosecutor’s suit
The N.C. Department of Justice filed an answer last week on Peter S. Gilchrist's behalf in a suit brought against the former Mecklenburg County district attorney in December by Sean P. Smith (pictured), an assistant D.A. Gilchrist fired last year. In his answer, Gilchrist denied that he "acted outside the scope of his official duties" or is subject to any personal liability. He denied violating Sm[...]
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[...]
Allegations leveled against driving school
The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into alleged improprieties at the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina, a nonprofit organization that offers defensive driving courses in 54 counties in the state. The investigation in Mecklenburg County was confirmed by an attorney who represents a former employee of the driving school who was terminated in September. The employee's name is Cath[...]
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 in the Aug. 23, 2010, issue of North Carolina Lawyers Weekly.] I have talked to many clients over the years who have been given advice, […]
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[...]
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