Articles by Michael Hedgepeth, Former Senior Staff Writer

About Michael Hedgepeth, Former Senior Staff Writer (8 Articles)

Michael graduated from Campbell Law School in 2013 and from North Carolina State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a minor in Business Management. Michael served as the Attorney General for the Student Bar Association. While at Campbell Law, he worked at the North Carolina Supreme Court as an intern for Justice Paul Newby, at the North Carolina General Assembly as an intern for Representative David Lewis, and as a Webster’s Scholar performing research for Professor Pat Hetrick. Michael was the 2013 recipient of the J. Bryan Boyd Award.

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Unconstitutional Dog-Sniffs – Man’s Best Frenemy

October 16, 2012

“Working like a dog.” This is a phrase I have never quite understood. My dog has never worked a day in his life, and until there is a high demand for butt-sniffing, then I doubt he ever will. However, not all dogs are lazy bums. Indeed, canine units have been integrated into nearly every law enforcement agency in the United States, and have played an increasingly vital role in apprehending criminals, detecting bombs, and uncovering contraband. But, just as the canine job market is [...]

From the Grave to the Witness Stand – Why Drew Peterson Lost His Sixth Amendment Rights

September 11, 2012

Anyone who follows the news, and likely some who do not, is aware that on September 6, 2012, Drew Peterson was found guilty of the first-degree murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Furthermore, you are likely aware of the immense controversy surrounding the trial. If you take a moment to Google the name “Drew Peterson,” you will quickly realize that nearly every news account focuses on the “unprecedented amount of inadmissible hearsay allowed into evidence to support his [...]

The Racial Injustice Act

August 13, 2012

Have you ever heard of Marcus Reymond Robinson? He is the man who was convicted of kidnapping 17-year-old high-school student Erik Tornblom and shooting him in the face with a sawed-off shotgun during a robbery that netted a grand total of $27. In 1994, Robinson was sentenced to death in Cumberland County Superior Court for his heinous crimes – crimes with an arguably racially-tinged motive. The facts set forth in the order of the North Carolina Superior Court state: Other evidence [...]

D’oh! Fracking Gets the Green Light?

July 16, 2012

On July 3, 2012, the North Carolina legislature adjourned sine die – with no appointed date for resumption – bringing the two-year legislative session to an end. State lawmakers passed significant legislation affecting everything from municipal annexations to allowing table games at Harrah’s Casino, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. However, it was the events of the night before, Monday, July 2, 2012, that captured the attention of internet junkies everywhere and [...]

You Are Entering the Exception Zone

June 18, 2012

Meet Emily Herx – an English teacher at a parochial school. Emily is a happily married, ambitious young woman who wants nothing more than to start a family. Emily suffers from a diagnosed medical condition that causes infertility. Last June she began in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments with high hopes of fulfilling her life-long dream of becoming a mother. Now, as a result of those treatments, Emily is unemployed and has a lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court in Fort [...]

The Thirteenth Juror: The “CSI Effect”

May 26, 2012

We have heard it repeatedly: “A criminal defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” There is no doubt this is a high standard; indeed, the highest standard our judicial system has to offer, and rightfully so. As Justice William Blackstone judiciously declared, “it is better for ten guilty men to go free than for one innocent man to be condemned to the gallows.” Of course not everyone shares this sentiment, just compare that of former Communist leader [...]

Objection, Hearsay :(

April 17, 2012

As lawyers (or aspiring lawyers) we pride ourselves on our ability to interpret language or the intended meaning behind various assertions. Let’s put this skill to a little test. Consider the following two text messages from John: 1) “I don’t know if Bubba will be able to make it to the a golf course today… apparently his back is still hurting,” and 2) “I don’t know if Bubba will be able to make it to the golf course today… apparently his back is still hurting ;-).” Now [...]

A Cup of Coffee: $3.05; Tuition: $33,400; Legal Education: Priceless

April 10, 2012

Note from the Editor: Recently, the Campbell Law Observer hosted a write-on competition to recruit new staff writers and editors. Each student was to discuss the value of a law degree. As we all know, the value, or perceived value, of a law degree has changed. Below, you will find the second article in this series. In the summer of 2008, I was living the dream: basking in the glow of beautiful Myrtle Beach, living on a premier golf course and cleaning golf clubs for tips. Did I mention [...]