We’re approaching that time of year when the weather starts to get a little nicer (although this year has been a very mild winter in Raleigh!) Around this time, people start coming out of their homes to enjoy the weather, to have fun, and to hang out with friends. And each spring in Wake County…
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When a judge renders a judgment in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court.. Most felonies also begin in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court., but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court.., a Defendant has…
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Testimonial statements may not be admitted at trial if the witness is unavailable and the defendant has not had an adequate prior opportunity to cross-examine the witness. Such statements would violate the defendant’s Confrontation Clause rights if admitted at trial. What constitutes an adequate prior opportunity to cross examine? In State v. Ross, the Defendant…
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DiscoveryDiscovery is the process of exchanging information between the prosecution or defense in a case. DiscoveryDiscovery is the process of exchanging information between the prosecution or defense in a case. Discovery is also a term used to describe all of the information - police reports, videos, physical evidence, photographs, etc. - that has been given to the Defense in a criminal case. is also a term used to describe all of the information – police reports, videos, physical evidence, photographs, etc. – that has been given to the Defense in a criminal case. is the process by which each side in…
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Recent changes to North Carolina’s DWIA DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail. is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail. is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina’s DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail. is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail….
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This post deals with the post-convictionA convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. is a formal finding by a court – either following a trial by a judge or juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial.
A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. or following the entry of a pleaA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreementA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead…
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Up until the mid-1990s, North Carolina had a sentencing system called Fair Sentencing. The major criticisms of Fair Sentencing were that: There was no truth in sentencing. The actual sentence served was usually much lower than the stated sentence at sentencing. There was disparity in how people were treated from place to place, and defendant…
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Any person, including non-citizens, is entitled to representation and, if that person cannot afford an attorney, both the United States Constitution and North Carolina law guarantee that person the right to an attorney. The attorney – whether he or she is a public defenderA court appointedA court appointed lawyer is a lawyer appointed by the Court (sometimes via the Public DefenderA court appointed lawyer is a lawyer appointed by the Court (sometimes via the Public Defender Office) to represent an individual in court. Only indigent (poor) people qualify for a court appointed lawyer.
A public defender is a lawyer who is employed by the Public Defender Office and who only represents indigent (poor) clients. Office) to represent an individual in court. Only indigent (poor) people qualify for a court appointed lawyer.
A public defenderA court appointed lawyer is a lawyer appointed by the Court (sometimes via the Public Defender Office) to represent an individual in court. Only indigent (poor) people qualify for a court appointed lawyer.
A public defender is a lawyer who is employed by the Public Defender Office and who only represents indigent (poor) clients. is a lawyer who is employed by the Public DefenderA court appointed lawyer is a lawyer appointed by the Court (sometimes via the Public Defender Office) to represent an individual in court. Only indigent (poor) people qualify for a court appointed lawyer.
A public defender is a lawyer who is employed by the Public Defender Office and who only represents indigent (poor) clients. Office and who only represents indigent (poor) clients. lawyer is a lawyer appointed by the Court (sometimes…
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Recent changes to North Carolina’s post-convictionA convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. is a formal finding by a court – either following a trial by a judge or juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial.
A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. or following the entry of a pleaA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreementA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead…
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In light of recent changes to North Carolina’s post-supervision release and post-convictionA convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. - of guilt. is a formal finding by a court – either following a trial by a judge or juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial.
A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. or following the entry of a pleaA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreementA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution…
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