Articles by Anna Somberg

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About Anna Somberg (2 Articles)
Anna Katherine Somberg is a third-year law student at Campbell University and serves as a Staff Writer for the Campbell Law Observer. She is originally from Burlington, NC and attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she received a Bachelor's degree in Criminology with Honors and a minor in Political Science. Anna Katherine's areas of interest include juvenile justice, criminal justice, and post-conviction. She is a current criminal defense and post-conviction intern at Dobson Law Firm, PLLC.

What Happens after “Guilty?” A Look into North Carolina’s Motion for Appropriate Relief System

August 9, 2023

For many defendants, a verdict of “guilty” signals the end of their legal battle. But when the prosecutor commits errors, the relevant law has changed, or the defendant had ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant may get a second chance through post-conviction relief. Defendants convicted as juveniles have had their life without parole convictions changed to life with parole. Other defendants have gotten new trials with effective counsel and received a “not guilty” verdict. [...]

The Officer that Cried “Weed.” Why Some States Won’t Legalize Marijuana.

February 1, 2023

Picture it; a car is pulled over by the police for a traffic offense—perhaps speeding or not using a turn signal. The officer says he smells marijuana and demands that the driver get out of the car so that he can proceed with his warrantless search. The officer finds marijuana, cocaine, and a firearm. What started as a simple traffic stop has now turned into a full criminal investigation. Something that would have been handled quickly in traffic court now has the potential to be a criminal [...]