Carolina

North Carolina Amends ‘Raise the Age’ Law: Certain Felonies to Send 16, 17-Year-Olds to Adult Court Starting December

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Raleigh, North Carolina – A significant amendment to North Carolina’s juvenile justice law, commonly known as “Raise the Age,” will soon change how 16 and 17-year-olds charged with specific felonies are processed in the state’s legal system. Starting on December 1, these teenagers will be tried as adults if they commit violent felonies, marking a departure from the state’s recent practices focusing on rehabilitation for young offenders. In 2019, North Carolina updated its juvenile justice laws, implementing the “Raise the Age” initiative, which ceased the automatic prosecution of 16 and 17-year-olds as adults for misdemeanors … Read more

Judicial Hopefuls Address Case Backlog in Quest for South Carolina Court of Appeals Seat

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — Amidst deliberations to fill a significant judicial position, three candidates vying for a spot on South Carolina’s Court of Appeals faced a legislative panel on Monday. This nomination process is part of a broader movement to address the state’s substantial backlog of court cases. The applicants include Circuit Court Judges Kristi Curtis and Courtney Clyburn Pope, and Jason Luther, the chief legal officer at the state’s Department of Revenue. These judicial hopefuls were scrutinized in a session that underscores a unique aspect of South Carolina’s judiciary—its judges are predominantly elected by the … Read more

North Carolina GOP Sues State Elections Board for Transparency in Supreme Court Race Data

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Republican Party initiated legal action against the North Carolina Board of Elections this Monday, alleging that the election authority has failed to provide necessary information and data related to the 2024 Supreme Court race in the state. This move came after continuous requests for transparency from the board were reportedly ignored by the officials, which has raised concerns among various stakeholders about the integrity and efficacy of the electoral process. The lawsuit underscores a growing tension between the state party and election officials as the critical judicial elections approach. … Read more

South Carolina Law Enforcement Warns Against ‘Ballot Selfies’ in Upcoming Election

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Laurens County, South Carolina – As voters prepare for the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) issued a reminder that capturing images within the voting booth, especially of the ballot, is strictly prohibited. This refers to what many call a “ballot selfie.” Local law enforcement officials are actively raising awareness about the legal repercussions that might follow if these regulations are ignored. SLED has clarified that photographs of a marked ballot or taking any photographic device into the election booth can lead to legal consequences. These actions contravene … Read more