Legislative and Policy

Rule 103 of the North Carolina Rules of Evidence contains nearly identical language to the same Federal Rule of Evidence prior to its amendment in 2000.  Originally set to be effective on October 1, 2003, the General Assembly amended former Rule 103 by adding the following language to subsection (a)(2): “Once the court makes a definitive ruling on the record admitting or excluding evidence, either at or before trial, a party need not renew an objection or offer of proof to preserve a claim [...]

With the first super majority the Republican Party has seen in the North Carolina General Assembly in over a century and the lack of a Democratic veto power in the Governor seat, the state is sure to see a change in its political agenda and legislation in the coming years.  Among the proposed legislation, one hot topic in particular has been Bill 589, otherwise known as the Voter ID Bill. The Voter ID Bill was proposed on April 4, 2013, and is a more lenient version of a similar bill that was [...]

 Gambling has long been a problem faced throughout the United States.  Although outright gambling has been banned almost everywhere, new forms of gambling continue to pop up.  One of the more recent manifestations is the advent of the Internet sweepstakes.  Internet sweepstakes have grown in popularity in North Carolina over the last five to ten years, and the North Carolina General Assembly has made repeated attempts to stop the spread and use of these gambling operations.  At its most [...]

Regardless of whether one has fallen victim to the reality television that has taken America by storm since the first episode of “Survivor” aired in early 2000, names such as Lauren Conrad, Ryan Seacrest, and even “Snooki” have become commonly recognized in homes across the nation.  While reality television shows can lead to legitimate fame for some, they can also come with a cost—particularly for towns where these shows are recorded. Many New Jersey citizens recognize their state [...]

The Right to a Sound Basic Education Article I of the North Carolina Constitution asserts that the people of this state have “a right to the privilege of education” and imposes upon the State a duty “to guard and maintain that right.”  Article IX extends the idea further by instilling responsibility in the General Assembly for providing and maintaining free public schools to which all citizens of the State will have equal access.  Though explicitly written into the state constitution, [...]

Note from the Editors: On December 3, United States District Court Judge William Shubb ruled that the ban on conversion therapy signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown may violate free speech rights of therapists who oppose homosexuality. Judge Shubb issued an injunction preventing the state from enforcing the ban against the three providers who sued to block the ban.  Judge Shubb wrote, “Even if SB1172 is characterized as primarily aimed at regulating conduct, it also extends [...]