“Occupant” Under N.C.G.S. § 14-51.2(b): Castle-Doctrine Protection Persists When the Defendant Is Forced Out of the Vehicle by an Unlawful, Forcible Intrusion I. Introduction State v. Williams (N.C....
State v. Gupton — Record-Apparent Ineffective-Assistance Claims Must Be Raised on Direct Appeal or Be Barred Under N.C.G.S. § 15A-1419(a)(3) 1. Introduction State v. Gupton (N.C. Aug. 14, 2026)...
Sessoms v. Toyota: Rule 30(b)(6) Objections Are Preserved Without a Protective Order; Rule 30(b)(5) Deadlines Cannot Be Unilaterally Shortened 1. Introduction Case: Sessoms v. Toyota Motor Sales,...
State v. Wingate (2026): Indictment Statutory-Citation Mismatch as Harmless Scrivener’s Error When Elements and Notice Are Clear; “Vouching” Claims Fail Plain-Error Review Absent Probable Effect on...
State v. Farook: Narrowing Harbison—Per Se Prejudice Applies Only to “Surprise” Guilt Concessions; Otherwise Strickland Governs 1. Introduction Case: State v. Farook (N.C. Aug. 14, 2026). Parties:...
State v. Garmon: Habitual Felon Indictments May Precede Principal Felony Indictments; “Keeping” Requires Evidence of Drug Storage (Not Mere In-Car Possession) Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina...
State v. Thomas (2026): Statutory Compliance Under N.C.G.S. § 15A-1215(a) Ends the Constitutional Inquiry for Mid-Deliberation Juror Substitution; Affirmative “No Objection” Waives Fourth Amendment...
State v. Martinez: Cryan’s Two-Part Certiorari Test Is Mandatory in Criminal Cases; Dismissal “Without Prejudice” Permits Refiling I. Introduction In State v. Martinez (N.C. Aug. 14, 2026), the...
State v. Norris: Reaffirming State-Favorable Sufficiency Review and a Totality-of-Circumstances Constructive Possession Analysis Under Chekanow I. Introduction In State v. Norris (N.C. Aug. 14,...
Face v. Face (N.C. 2026): No Rule 19 Joinder of Revocable Trust in Equitable Distribution When All Settlors Are Parties; Necessary-Party Nonjoinder Is Not Subject-Matter Jurisdiction I. Introduction...
Personal Goodwill of a Professional Practice Is Not Marital Property for Equitable Distribution (North Carolina) I. Introduction Case: Sneed v. Johnston (Supreme Court of North Carolina, Filed 14...
State v. Moore (N.C. 2026): “Additional Bindings” Beyond Suffocation-Related Restraint Sustain First-Degree Kidnapping 1. Introduction Case: State v. Moore, No. 285A24 (N.C. Aug. 14, 2026). Court:...
School Board “Deliberate Indifference” After a Single Severe Classroom Assault Can Support a Corum Sound-Basic-Education Claim I. Introduction In K.H. v. Dixon (N.C. Aug. 14, 2026), the Supreme Court...
Successive Sex-Offender Deregistration Petitions Are One Proceeding; Unappealed SORNA Tier Rulings Become Law of the Case I. Introduction State v. Lingerfelt (Supreme Court of North Carolina, filed...
North Carolina Expressly Adopts the Incorporation-by-Reference Doctrine for Rule 12(b)(6) Motions Case: Turpin v. Charlotte Latin Schools, Inc., Supreme Court of North Carolina (14 Aug. 2026)...
State v. McGirt: Totality-of-the-Circumstances Proof of a “Clear and Unequivocal” Pro Se Election and Fenner’s “Life-Equivalent” Sentencing-Colloquy Rule Supreme Court of North Carolina (14 Aug....
State v. Mincey (N.C. 2026): N.C.G.S. § 15A-1444(a2)(3) Does Not Create an Appeal of Right to Attack the Validity of a Guilty Plea to Habitual Felon Status; Review Lies Only by Certiorari Court:...
State v. Dobson: Cannabis Odor Remains a Probable-Cause Factor Under a Totality-of-the-Circumstances Test After Hemp Legalization Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina | Date: 22 May 2026 | Case:...
“Specific Opportunity” Means a Discrete, Unauthorized Chance to Acquire a Trade Secret: North Carolina Clarifies NCTSPA § 66-155(2) and Reinforces Business Court Written-Opinion and Spoliation...
Executive Commutation to Life Without Parole Divests the North Carolina Supreme Court of Direct-Appeal Jurisdiction in Capital Cases I. Introduction In State v. Robinson (N.C. May 22, 2026), the...