The UNC School of Government is an academic institution that publishes detailed legal analyses and summaries primarily focused on North Carolina law and appellate court decisions. Its publications cover a range of criminal law topics including case law summaries from state and federal courts, legislative updates on state statutes such as firearm regulations and harm reduction laws, and discussions on legal defenses and evidentiary standards. The content is aimed at legal practitioners, providing practical insights into recent legal developments, statutory changes, and appellate rulings relevant to state government and criminal justice practice.
This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on December 3, 2025.
Trial court did not err by admitting expert testimony on historical cell-site handoff analysis; Defendants failed to preserve an objection to…
The North Carolina Supreme Court in State v. Chemuti, __ N.C. __, 920 S.E.2d 810 (2025), clarified the interplay between the statutory provisions in G.S. 132-1.4A governing release of certain law enforcement agency recordings and a district court defendant’s…
In October, we administered a class on DWI substantive law and procedure for District Court Judges and Magistrates. As part of that program, I took a group of judges to tour the DART (Drug Abuse & Alcoholism Residential Treatment) Center…
Last week, I posted a short blog discussing the new category of violent offenses as defined by G.S. 15A-531(9). The post includes a chart of qualifying offenses for those who might find it useful. This week, I have two additional…
For many years, it has been the rule in North Carolina that when multiple sentences of imprisonment are imposed, they run concurrently by default. That has been required by statute since 1977. G.S. 15A-1354. And that statute carried forward prior…
