The Supreme Court of North Carolina issued eight opinions from April 3-9. As of April 9, the court issued eight opinions in 2023 — 36 fewer than this point a year ago. Three of eight opinions are below:
- In re A.J.L.H., where the court “reversed the decision of the court of appeals reversing the trial court’s adjudications of nine-year-old Margaret as an abused and neglected juvenile and her two younger siblings as neglected juveniles, holding that the trial court’s order contained sufficient findings, supported by clear cogent, and convincing evidence, supporting the court’s adjudications of Margaret and her siblings.”
- Woodcock v. Cumberland County System, Inc., where the court “affirmed the judgment of the trial court granting Defendants’ motion for an award of attorneys’ fees as part of their costs under N.C. R. Civ. P. 41(d) pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 6-21.5 and the trial court’s subsequent order awarding $599,262 in attorneys’ fees as costs, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion.”
- State v. Campbell, where the court “reversed the judgment of the court of appeals vacating the judgment of the superior court sentencing Defendant at the Class B1 felony level in connection with his conviction of second-degree murder, holding that the trial court properly sentenced Defendant at the Class B1 level.”
From April 3-9, state supreme courts issued 144 opinions nationally. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia issued the most with 26. State supreme courts in 19 states issued the fewest with zero. Courts where judges are elected have issued 69 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 75.
The Supreme Court of North Carolina is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court is Paul Martin Newby. The court issued 145 opinions in 2022 and 167 in 2021. Nationally, state supreme courts issued 7,423 opinions in 2022 and 8,320 in 2021. The courts have issued 1,787 opinions in 2023. Courts where judges are elected have issued 976 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 811. North Carolina is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
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