Appellate Court Opinions

motion to suppress; search; seizure; DNA; analysis; plain view; first degree murder; investigation

Improper remarks during jury voir dire; unpreserved error; plain error; grossly improper; ex mero motu; witness vouching; probable impact on the verdict, preserved error; leading questions; leading questions of a child; abuse of discretion; prior bad acts; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 404(b), Rule 403; grossly improper argument; prejudice; improper closing argument; statutory rape; probably would have returned a different verdict

Motion to dismiss; aiding and abetting; sufficiency of indictment

voluntary dismissal after conviction; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-931; charge; conviction; plain meaning; importance of juries; flight doctrine

directed verdict; judgment notwithstanding the verdict; constructive fraud; authority of the personal representative of an estate; joint account with right of survivorship; N.C. Gen. Stat. 54-109.58

Interlocutory Appeal;
Substantial Right;
Condemnation;
Farm Crossing across Railway;
Active Rail Corridor;
Statutory Construction;
N.C. Gen. Stat. § § 146-74, 75, 76;
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 146-65(1) Exception;
N.C. Gen. Stat. §136-20(f);
Jus Tertii;
Void or Voidable Title;
Necessary party(s);
Overburdening Easement;

Non-compete agreements; unreasonable terms; blue-penciling

Contract interpretation, breach of contract, definition of "retainer" as contract term

carrying a concealed weapon; unit of prosecution; statutory interpretation; ambiguity; rule of lenity; arrest judgment; probationary term; improper consideration; vacated and remanded.

State Bar jurisdiction, NC Rules of Professional Conduct, suspended license

Domestic violence protective order; bodily injury

equitable distribution, stipulations, pretrial order, burdens of proof

termination of parental rights; standing; N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1103; N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-1104(5)

Indian Child Welfare Act; ICWA; inquiry; inquiry on the record; ask each participant; knowledge; termination of parental rights; tribal membership

Juvenile petition; Expert witness testimony; Motion to dismiss; Business records; Clear and convincing evidence.

Property Tax Commission; N.C.G.S. § 105-317;  ad valorem tax assessment; presumption of correctness; taxpayer burden of production.

motion for summary judgment; lien enforcement claim; construction contract; status quo order; breach of contract; motion for judgment on the pleadings.

industrial commission, subject matter jurisdiction, worker's compensation