by Michelle Sparrow | Jan 31, 2012 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
A grand jury handed up an indictment this week under North Carolina’s Unborn Victims of Violence Act, or Ethen’s Law. The law went into effect on Dec. 1, 2011, and the indictment marks the first application of the new statute. The defendant, a 22-year-old... by Michelle Sparrow | Jan 27, 2012 | Criminal Defense, Criminal Law Blog
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision this week regarding GPS tracking of a criminal suspect, just one of the many criminal cases before the Court this term. The ruling upheld the lower court opinions that police need a search warrant before they can use... by Michelle Sparrow | Jan 25, 2012 | Criminal Defense, Criminal Law Blog
North Carolina will host the Democratic National Convention in September, and the Charlotte City Council does not want to leave anything to chance. Earlier this week, the council approved amendments to ordinances that give police greater power and restrict... by Michelle Sparrow | Jan 21, 2012 | Criminal Law Blog, Drunk Driving
We have been discussing the different approaches states have taken to the use of ignition interlock devices. The devices are meant to keep drivers convicted of DWI from becoming repeat offenders. As we said, some states mandate interlocks for every person with a DWI,... by Michelle Sparrow | Jan 20, 2012 | Criminal Law Blog, Drunk Driving
States have adopted different laws around ignition interlock devices. Some states require every person convicted of drunk driving to install one — even first-time offenders. Other states, like North Carolina, require interlocks for more serious offenders. Here,...