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North Carolina Appeals / Appellate Law Questions & Answers
Q: Civil Rights Violations in Multiple Involuntary Commitments

I seek guidance on addressing civil rights violations from 12 involuntary civil commitments (IVCs) in North Carolina, 10 within five months. In 11 cases, I was denied proper notice and legal representation, violating N.C. Gen. Stat. § 122C-264(a) and § 122C-268(d). The one time I had counsel, my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 20, 2024

I'm sorry you're experiencing this challenging situation. Start by collecting all documents and records related to each involuntary civil commitment. This evidence will be essential when consulting with an attorney who has experience in mental health and civil rights cases.

To...
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Q: What Complaints and Legal Action Should I File for Wrongful Civil Commitments in NC?

I seek legal advice regarding a series of wrongful involuntary commitments (IVCs) between March 2022 and September 2024 in Winston-Salem, NC. Of 12 IVCs, 11 occurred in 2024 alone, initiated by my mother. These actions caused severe personal distress, and I believe my due process rights were... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 20, 2024

I'm sorry you're going through this challenging experience. It's important to seek professional legal assistance to navigate these complex issues effectively. Start by contacting an attorney who has experience with civil rights or mental health law to discuss your specific situation.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Constitutional Law for North Carolina on
Q: What can I do If my appealet Attorney has placed me in procedure default by refusing to raise issues preserved by court

My attorney has refused to raise the issues of fourth amendment violation illegal warrentless search of a lock box safe. Fourth, amendment violation of deputies prolonging investigated stop without probable to conduct dog sniff, sixth amendment violations confrontational clause due process... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 5, 2024

It sounds like you’re facing a challenging situation with your appellate attorney. If your attorney is not raising the issues you believe are critical to your case, you might consider addressing this directly with her first. Schedule a meeting to discuss your concerns and provide her with the... View More

Q: Can I overturn a conviction from a plea deal if the evidence used to search my property was falsified?

I was pulled over with marijuana, gave the cops my box of paraphernalia, they gave me a ticket for possession. Months later the charges were dropped and new charges for trafficking were put on me. In the discovery of my felony charges it was claimed that a 3rd party contacted them with additional... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

If the evidence used to search your property was falsified, you may have grounds to overturn your conviction. Given that the witness claims they never contacted the police and is willing to testify to that under oath, this new evidence could be crucial. You should file a motion to withdraw your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for North Carolina on
Q: If a person has been convicted of a federal felony, served their time but was wrongfully convicted. What can he do?
John D. Pritchard
John D. Pritchard
answered on May 20, 2024

There are three broad ways that a person can challenge a federal conviction, but none of those may apply to this situation.

First is the most common and widely understood--the person may appeal his/her conviction to the Court of Appeals. (And in rare circumstances, may appeal from there to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I wonder if I appealed to District Court from Small claims, can I raise the amount of reward from 10K to 25K

Appeal was based on excusable neglect and the matter: damage done by surgeon's negligence res ipsa loquitor

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 20, 2024

A North Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Nationwide, there are usually provisions to remove cases from small claims to higher courts. You could consider trying to set up a no-obligation/free initial consult with a local attorney to review the matter... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for North Carolina on
Q: The judge has made his ruling. Husband has no claims to wife's house. During appeal, can husband file a Lis Pendens?

Ex husband and wife completed a bench trial for a Breach of Contract Suit. The contract was an executed notarized separation and property settlement agreement. In the agreement, wife received the house (was quitclaim deeded to wife and notarized). In exchange, the husband received all the... View More

Ben Corcoran
Ben Corcoran
answered on Feb 12, 2024

I don't see a reason why not; a sale would likely be held up regardless if the closing attorney is doing their job properly. But a list pendens seems proper here.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Child Custody for North Carolina on
Q: At my adjucation hearing 1st time on, CPS filed for non-secure custody on half truths and lies that I can prove...

Says CPS worker saw me alone with my 2.5yr old. Failed to say where or who saw me. It was the supervisor and we were walking at home on the drive. My mother and 7mth old not far behind but around the bend you couldn't see. She willfully failed to discharge her duties to make sure I wasn't... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 28, 2023

You should have presented that evidence in your adjudication hearing for the court’s consideration. If you did not, you may have missed the opportunity to do so.

If you did present that evidence during the hearing, you can appeal the court decision.

As for “filing” against...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Rights, Libel & Slander and Criminal Law for North Carolina on
Q: Is an innocent man who has been incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit ever time-barred?

The man was arrested without probable cause, without consent and without a warrant. He was simply accused and had ineffective counsel who did not use discovery to find his approximate location beyond a reasonable doubt, using his personal cell phone geolocation on the date and time in question by... View More

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on Apr 1, 2023

Allegations of certain types of crimes may constitute defamation (libel or slander). But this doesn't usually apply to official government actions like prosecuting someone for a crime.

As for the criminal proceedings, nothing you shared sounds like a real slam dunk case of ineffective...
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2 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Rights for North Carolina on
Q: If I think the jury was prejudice in a civil trial, can I appeal it?

Our landlord never fixed anything in the building we were renting for our business and we couldn't open. Back at Covid, he told us not to worry about rent "until we were up and going". The roof was leaking and ruining the carpet with mold and the AC/heat never worked. We ran a sports... View More

Charles William Michaels
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Charles William Michaels
answered on Mar 1, 2023

First, I am not a North Carolina lawyer. But if you think the civil jury was prejudiced, you possibly could appeal that ONLY IF you or your trial counsel made an objection to the makeup or composition of the jury AND the trial judge overruled that objection. The appeal process is usually focused on... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Criminal Law and DUI / DWI for North Carolina on
Q: In North Carolina does the state have the right to appeal a DWI case to Superior Court.

District Judge dismissed and suppressed the arrest of a DWI case because arresting officer violated defends 4 amendment rights by arresting defendant inside his home with no probable cause and no search warrant.

Nick Benjamin
Nick Benjamin
answered on Jan 28, 2023

yes, they can appeal if it’s motion to suppress.

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I was denied a pistol permit under the pretense that a hospital said that I had a substance abuse problem.

I do not have ANY SUBSTANCE ABUSE problem. My last drink was on July 4 of 2021! I have never been involuntary admitted to any substance abuse facility. I don’t use any drugs at all either and I haven’t In well over a year. I want to appeal the decision but I’m not sure what to do or if I need... View More

Charles William Michaels
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Charles William Michaels
answered on Aug 10, 2022

There is not an appeal "question" in this post. I am not a NC lawyer, but if you truly want to appeal the decision, I would recommend legal representation. A core issue to be addressed on appeal is why do you need a pistol permit.

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Litigation for North Carolina on
Q: I was denied a motion to set aside default judgment. I submitted a motion to reconsider which was also denied. I am...

Going To appeal the denied motion to set aside default judgment. Can I use the trial transcript from the motion to reconsider as evidence in my appeals case? In this instance, comments made by the judge and the plaintiff in that hearing would be highly beneficial to my appeal and should further... View More

Charles William Michaels
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Charles William Michaels
answered on Jul 21, 2022

First, I am not a North Carlonia attorney. But from your question, the answer is YES. The appellate court usually receives the entire record from the trial court--including any transcript (assuming you have ordered them). So the transcript of the motion for reconsideration or any other transcript... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I filed a motion for a temporary stay with the court of appeals which was denied. Can I file a new motion for temp stay?
Charles William Michaels
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Charles William Michaels
answered on Aug 11, 2021

First, I am not a NC attorney. That being said, I suppose you could file another motion for a temporary stay. But that motion will probably be denied as the first one was, unless you can show a material change in your favor.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Elder Law for North Carolina on
Q: Can an owner with life rights remove a remaindermen who also has life rights

My father is a homeless veteran due to a consent judgment outside the original will.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 21, 2021

A remainderman cannot also have a life estate. The interests merge and he would have the fee, although it occasionally may not be absolute and subject to other encumbrances or conditions. It is possible for others to have simultaneous life estates which encumber the other's fee. I suggest... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for North Carolina on
Q: I won my case for eviction my ex was given 15 days to move she appeal can she stay while waiting on the new court date?

I own my house my ex-friend name isn't on anything she doesn't pay rent or any bills she do buy food every now and then we been living together for 5 years she doesn't clean and damage my home. I have ask here to move many times because of her drinking and drug problem the police... View More

Charles William Michaels
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Charles William Michaels
answered on Aug 28, 2020

First, I am not a North Carolina lawyer. That being said, I think--unless there's an exception in NC law that I don't know about-- the filing of any appeal does not automatically stay the ruling or any order in the trial court (or any agency, etc.). The appellant must file a motion to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Education Law for North Carolina on
Q: I am a student at college and they believe I have cheated on an assignment, should I plead guilty or take a hearing?

I was at university during the spring and once covid took over, I was online, it was difficult for me to resist the temptation to quickly get an answer. I tried my best to learn the material correctly but knowing I could just look it up made it difficult for me to learn properly. I blame covid... View More

Raul Jauregui
Raul Jauregui
answered on Jun 28, 2020

I don't have a direct answer at all. But, just so you get a sense for how school staff treat students involved in disciplinary actions (these mostly deal with a spectrum of sexual behaviors) check out all that I regularly blog about. You may well come out with a view that whether or not you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Gov & Administrative Law for North Carolina on
Q: After you obtain disability attorney, Is there anything they can't tell you by law?

I've asked couple of questions that my attorney will not answer. I'm in North Carolina,my disability case is very important to me. Example of 1 my questions- Do I need to get my current Dr to write a letter or fill out any paperwork for my upcoming disability hearing?

Attorney- I... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 22, 2020

It would be best if a North Carolina attorney advised you, but you await a response for four weeks, and the whole matter may be moot by now if you already had the hearing you mention. But as a general matter, attorneys should be able to share information with clients - their role essentially makes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for North Carolina on
Q: Good Afternoon. Have a question? How much in a price range to get a petition the court to get removed off the registry
Will Blackton
Will Blackton
answered on Oct 30, 2019

There is generally a $175 court fee to file for an expunction. The fee for an attorney's assistance is going to range depending on whether you're entitled to statutory relief (will automatically happen depending on your age at the time a crime was committed and the age and nature of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Appeals / Appellate Law, Constitutional Law and Education Law for North Carolina on
Q: How long did it take you to become a lawyer?

specifically, how long you were in school and what classes you took.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 24, 2019

It's generally 3 years full-time, or 4 years part-time at night. Some schools have accelerated programs. Depending on the institution, you take mandatory core courses that generally include contracts, torts, constitutional law, property law, criminal law, wills/trusts, legal writing,... View More

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