“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. 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. 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. 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...
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)...
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...
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...
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....