US Courts

NC Court of Appeals Opinion on Parental Drug Use and Child Neglect

The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed orders adjudicating children as abused and neglected due to parental drug use. The parents repeatedly tested positive for controlled substances, and drug screens of the children also indicated the presence of these substances. The court found clear and convincing evidence supported the adjudication.

State v. Stanford - Sentencing Appeal

The North Carolina Court of Appeals has issued an unpublished opinion in State v. Stanford, concerning a defendant's appeal of his sentencing order. The appeal challenged the trial court's use of prior convictions to elevate the defendant's record level.

In re M.C.B. - Termination of Parental Rights

The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed an order terminating a father's parental rights to his minor son. The court found clear, cogent, and convincing evidence of willful abandonment and that termination was in the child's best interests. The father appealed the Gaston County District Court's decision.

State v. Butler - Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury Conviction

The North Carolina Court of Appeals filed an opinion in State v. Butler, docket number 25-9, concerning a conviction for Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. The case involved issues of serious bodily injury and surveillance video authentication.

In re Z.G. - Termination of Parental Rights

The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed an order terminating a mother's parental rights to her minor daughter, Z.G., based on neglect and dependency. The court found sufficient evidence to support the trial court's findings of current and future neglect, as well as willful placement outside the home for over twelve months without reasonable progress.

State v. Mitchell - Criminal Appeal

The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a non-precedential opinion in the case of State v. Mitchell. The court reviewed the defendant's appeal of a judgment for voluntary manslaughter and found no error in the lower court's decision.

State v. Corral - Murder Case Self-Defense Jury Instruction Opinion

The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a non-precedential opinion in State v. Corral, addressing jury instructions on self-defense and imperfect self-defense in a first-degree murder case. The court found no error in the trial court's instructions.

State v. McFarland - North Carolina Court of Appeals Opinion

The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a non-precedential opinion in State v. McFarland, docket number 24-706. The case involves an appeal from a guilty plea for second degree arson, felony breaking or entering, and larceny. The opinion was filed on March 18, 2026.

State v. Watson - Non-precedential NC Court of Appeals Opinion

The North Carolina Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a sentencing order for Steven Antwone Watson, who was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder as a juvenile. The State conceded error regarding the imposition of consecutive life sentences without parole.

State v. McDuffie - Non-Precedential Court of Appeals Opinion

The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a non-precedential opinion in State v. McDuffie, docket number 25-233. The court affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding no prejudicial error in the defendant's conviction for trafficking in heroin.