“As Necessary” in the Federal Railroad Safety Act Confers Broad Discretion: Eleventh Circuit Upholds FRA’s Two-Person Crew Default with Risk-Based One-Person Pathways Introduction This consolidated...
“As Necessary” Means Discretion: FRA May Adopt Precautionary Two-Person Crew Rules Without Statistical Proof, and Missing the 12‑Month Rulemaking Deadline Does Not Void the Rule Case: Association of...
“As Necessary” Means Discretion: The Eleventh Circuit Upholds FRA’s Two-Person Crew Rule and Rejects Deadline-Vacatur and Data-Threshold Attacks I. Introduction This consolidated set of...
“As Necessary” Means Discretion: Upholding FRA’s Two-Person Default Crew Rule Under Deferential APA Review Eleventh Circuit (Aug. 11, 2026) — consolidated petitions challenging FRA’s 2024 “Crew Size...
“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)...
Limiting NRS 293.182 Candidate Challenges to Substantive Office Qualifications (Not Filing-Procedure Defects) Case: Mercer v. Candelaria (Ballot Issue) (In the Matter of the Challenge to the...