NC Criminal Law
This post summarizes two recent decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States.
A state law prohibiting individuals from carrying guns onto private property without the express approval of the property owner violates the Second Amendment.
Wolford v. Lopez, __ U.S. __ (June 25, 2026) (Alito, J.). For...
A statement of charges may charge the same offenses as the original pleading or additional or different misdemeanor offenses. G.S. 15A-922(d).
Two or more offenses may be joined for trial when the offenses are based on the same act or transaction or on a series of acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a single scheme or plan. See G.S. 15A-926(a).
A judge may not constitutionally impose a suspended sentence for a misdemeanor conviction unless the defendant was represented by counsel or properly waived counsel.
The Double Jeopardy Clause does not prohibit multiple punishments for offenses when one is include within the other under the Blockburger test if both are tried at the same time and if the legislature specifically authorizes cumulative punishment for both offenses.
The court is not bound by the rules of evidence (except for rules on privilege) when deciding whether challenged evidence is admissible.