Appellate Court Opinions

Whether the totality of the circumstances framework applies to determine if probable cause justified a warrantless search of a vehicle where law enforcement detected the odor of cannabis.

Whether the trial court's juror substitution after deliberations began violated defendant's constitutional right to a twelve-person jury and whether defendant waived his Fourth Amendment challenge by disclaiming any objection to admission of the challenged evidence.

Whether the defendant was entitled to an instruction under N.C.G.S. § 14-51.2(b), commonly known as the castle doctrine.

Whether it is plain error to admit improper vouching testimony at trial, and whether an incorrect statutory citation is fatal to a criminal indictment.

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in concluding that plaintiffs' claims for breach of contract, fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and defamation failed to satisfy the notice pleading requirement.

N.C. R. App. 28(b)(6); motion to continue; child support recalculation

Notice of hearing; Due process; Motion to set aside; Rule 60(b); Abuse of discretion.

Termination; unambiguous contractual clause; good faith and fair dealing

default; rental agreement; summary ejectment; privity; legal standing; N.C.G.S. 42-26.

interlocutory order; substantial right exception; compulsory counterclaim; Rule 15; motion to amend; undue delay; futility; affirmed.

rule 60(b); rule 55(d); standing; moot; answer; pleadings; assumed name

Actual knowledge;
Undisclosed repairs;
Real Estate Transactions;

Certificate of Zoning Compliance; Variance; interlocutory; municipal body.

permanent child support order; substantial change of circumstances; modification; joint legal and physical custody; custody; final decision-making authority; unilateral decisions; Best Interests of the Children

3.1; termination of parental rights; N.C.G.S. 7B-1111; neglect; findings of fact; conclusions of law.

termination of parental rights, notice of termination hearing, failure to object, ineffective assistance of counsel. 

elimination of reunification efforts; no-merit appeal; Rule 3.1(e)

termination of parental rights; ceasing reunification; expert testimony

termination of parental rights; best interest of child

Termination of parental rights; failure to make reasonable progress