According to a recently released study, researchers have concluded that the race of a victim is a determining factor in death sentencing. Yet, it is unclear how these findings will impact sentencing in North Carolina. Under the Racial Justice Act, signed into law last August, a defendant may use statistical evidence of discrimination to avoid the [...]
Public Safety Archives
- Jul16
Highway Patrol Commander resigns
Highway Patrol Commander Randy Glover has submitted his resignation, according to a report on WRAL.com. “This morning, I met with Highway Patrol Col. Randy Glover and (Crime Control and Public Safety) Secretary Reuben Young,” Gov. Bev Perdue said in a statement. “After a brief discussion, I accepted the colonel’s resignation.” Perdue did not say why [...]
- Jul09
“Technical” Corrections Bill Guts Illegal Immigrant DUI Reporting Requirement
It always happens. Every year the General Assembly attempts to make substantive policy changes through the end of session “technical” corrections bill that is designed to only make necessary error-fixing and clarifying changes. This year, the bill SB 1242, would gut an existing provision that requires local law enforcement agencies to report the number of [...]
- Jul08
Weighing in on AZ immigration law
On Tuesday the Obama administration filed suit in Phoenix to stop enforcement of Arizona’s new immigration law. Here in North Carolina, county commissioners are hoping their voices are also heard about the new law. County commissioners in New Hanover County will vote next Monday night on a resolution supporting Arizona’s immigration law. Earlier this year,
- 5Jun28
Illegal Immigrants’ Siesta on State Property; Have Permit
Civitas has obtained a copy of the permit issued by Raleigh’s Capital Police to the three illegal immigrants camping out on state property. That’s right — Capital Police issued the three illegal immigrants a permit. Thus, the state of North Carolina is complicit in allowing admitted illegal immigrants to camp out on property owned by [...]
- Jun17
State Senate committee passes video poker and sweepstakes ban
The Senate took a bill that came over from the House, gutted it and substituted language that would ban video poker and Internet sweepstakes cafes. House bill 80 was approved by the Senate Judiciary I Committee and is slated for a vote on the Senate floor Monday night (6/21). If approved then the House would [...]
- 1Jun11
DNA Bill May Garner Additional Federal Funding for NC
If HB 1403 is passed in conjunction with current U.S. bill HR 4614, North Carolina will stand to gain approximately $1.3 million in additional federal funding. Check out this aspect that you probably haven’t heard about here.
- Jun02
New Regulations Scrap July 4 Fireworks
You may remember last year, in a typical knee-jerk legislative overreaction to a tragic accident, the General Assembly passed, and Gov. Perdue signed into law SB 563, which implemented new measures to regulate, permit and require training for all fireworks shows in the state. Well, with annual July 4 fireworks displays just around the corner, [...]
- Jun01
HB1403: Collecting DNA Upon Arrest Legislative Update
The House Judiciary I Committee met today to debate HB1403 entitled “Collect DNA Sample on Arrest.” Last week, Civitas posted an article on its website outlining the philosophical debate within the conservative movement surrounding the bill. Today, the debate continued as interests from both sides were given time to address the committee. Privacy advocates from [...]
- May25
Collecting DNA from Felons
One of the seemingly more interesting bills making its way through the General Assembly this week is HB 1403, sponsored by Reps. Wil Neumann (R-Gaston), Pearl Burris-Floyd (R-Gaston), Darrell McCormick (R-Yadkin) and Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) which would allow for a DNA sample to be taken from every person arrested on a felony charge. I’m not [...]
- May13
What do Americans think about AZ immmigration law?
Since Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed carefully crafted legislation giving the state new powers to identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants, her state been subject to a steady stream of criticism. It seems there is no shortage of state and federal leaders, media personalities, politicians and even pro athletes willing to let the State of [...]
- Apr30
“Police killing trial delayed”
A headline from today’s Charlotte Observer says it all. Thanks to the Racial Justice Act (passed last summer), the families of murder victims, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton, must continue to wait for justice. Yet, what makes this case even more interesting is the accusation by Sen. Malcolm Graham (D – [...]
- Apr06
Protecting Unborn Victims of Violence
This week’s recommendation in the Civitas Institute Agenda “20 Changes for 2010: A Primer for State Reform” focuses on protecting unborn victims of violence. 14.) Protect unborn victims of violence by law. 82% of North Carolinians support a fetal homicidelaw according to an April 2008 poll of likely voters conducted by the Civitas Institute. North [...]
- Mar17
Death Penalty in NC
The latest entry in Civitas’ 20 for 2010 is up. It deals with the Death Penalty in North Carolina. Most North Carolina citizens do not realize that NC has had a moratorium on the death penalty in place for almost 4 years. Not only do we have 158 murederers sitting on death row, we have complicated the imposition [...]
- Mar05
Pay to Play in Raleigh?
While a much used term in media and political circles, “pay to play” does fairly describe the interlocking circle of money and the support of political agendas in some cases. The specific “pay to play” case I am referring to is one concerning the proposed public safety center for the city of Raleigh. This building [...]
- Feb09
town council concerned about regulation not safety
The recently effective HB 9, “No Texting While Driving”, is not enough regulation for the city of Chapel Hill. The Chapel Hill Town Council is considering banning the use of cell phones, or any handheld devices, while driving. Council member Penny Rich told WRAL; “banning cell phone use while driving would improve safety on the road.” Hmm… sounds [...]