In North Carolina one may legally carry openly a gun without a permit if they meet the following requirements: they are at least 18 years of age, and have no felony convictions.  The open carry rule is restricted in certain sensitive locations such as educational properties, correctional institutions, state or federal buildings, or private businesses or properties that have posted “No Weapons” signs.

However, if one wants to carry a concealed gun, one needs to obtain a concealed carry permit.  The requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit in North Carolina are as follows:

Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years old.

Residency: Applicants must be a resident of North Carolina for at least 30 days preceding the filing of the application.

Training: Completion of an approved handgun safety course within a specified time frame. The course typically covers firearm safety, marksmanship, and the laws regarding the permissible use of deadly force.

Criminal Background Check: Applicants are subject to a criminal background check by both state and federal agencies. Certain criminal convictions or pending charges may disqualify an individual from obtaining a permit.

Mental Health Records Check: Applicants must not have been adjudicated or administratively determined to be lacking mental capacity or mentally ill unless the adjudication or determination has been removed pursuant to law.

Good Moral Character: Applicants must be of good moral character. This typically means having no recent convictions for certain crimes, such as violent offenses or felonies.

Fingerprinting: Submission of fingerprints for a criminal history record check.

Application and Fee: Completion of the application form and payment of the required fee.

Over the last 25 years, there have been many changes to the expunction or expungement laws in North Carolina. Laws constantly change, and it is crucial to consult the latest legal resources, or seek advice from a legal professional, to get the most up-to-date information. The following is a general overview of how expunction laws have typically worked in North Carolina.

Expunction or expungement in North Carolina refers to the process of sealing or erasing a person’s criminal record under certain circumstances. The eligibility and criteria for expunction can vary based on the nature of the criminal charges, whether the person was convicted, and other factors.

Here is a general breakdown of how the laws regarding expunction in North Carolina have typically worked:

Expunction for Dismissed Charges:

1.            Expunction for Dismissed Charges: Individuals who have charges that were dismissed, acquitted, or where they were found not guilty are now eligible for expunction.

3.            In North Carolina, it used to be that an individual may generally only be eligible for a one-time expunction for dismissed charges.  However today, 2024, individuals can have an unlimited number of charges for which they were acquitted expunged.

Expunction for Convictions:

1.            Certain Nonviolent Misdemeanors: Some low-level misdemeanors may be eligible for expunction after a waiting period, provided the individual meets certain criteria.

2.            First-time Nonviolent Felony: For certain nonviolent felonies, individuals may be eligible for expunction if it is their first felony conviction, and they have completed their sentence and met other specified requirements.

3.            Age Restrictions: Some expunctions may have age restrictions, especially for offenses committed by individuals under a certain age.

Changes Over Time:

Laws regarding expunction can change through legislative actions. Changes might include adjustments to waiting periods, expanding eligibility criteria, or introducing new types of expunctions. Additionally, the legal landscape may be influenced by court decisions.

Consult a Legal Professional:

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on expunction laws in North Carolina, it is essential to consult legal professionals, such as attorneys specializing in criminal law or organizations that provide legal assistance.

Always be sure to check with the North Carolina General Assembly or legal databases for the latest statutes and amendments related to expunction laws in the state.

If you would like a confidential consultation about trying to get some charges expunged in Brunswick County, New Hanover County, or Pender County in North Carolina, in which the county seats are Bolivia, Wilmington, and Burgaw, call Collins Law Firm for a confidential consultation and 910-793-9000.

On July 4, 2015, 17-year-old Sheyenne Marshall was fatally injured when an impaired boater crashed into her while she was knee-boarding on Lake Norman. 

After Ms. Marshall’s family learned that boating while impaired was only punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor, they lobbied for harsher penalties for boating while impaired. 

On June 27, 2026, Sheyenne’s Law passed, North Carolina General Statute § 75A‑10.3, which reads as follows:

§ 75A-10.3. Death or serious injury by impaired boating; repeat offenses

(a) Death by Impaired Boating. – A person commits the offense of death by impaired boating if all of the following apply:

(1) The person unintentionally causes the death of another person.

(2) The person was engaged in the offense of impaired boating under G.S. 75A-10(b1).

(3) The commission of the offense in subdivision (2) of this subsection is the proximate cause of the death.

(b) Serious Injury by Impaired Boating. – A person commits the offense of serious injury by impaired boating if all of the following apply:

(1) The person unintentionally causes serious injury to another person.

(2) The person was engaged in the offense of impaired boating under G.S. 75A-10(b1).

(3) The commission of the offense in subdivision (2) of this subsection is the proximate cause of the serious injury.

(c) Aggravated Serious Injury by Impaired Boating. – A person commits the offense of aggravated serious injury by impaired boating if all of the following apply:

(1) The person unintentionally causes serious injury to another person.

(2) The person was engaged in the offense of impaired boating under G.S. 75A-10(b1).

(3) The commission of the offense in subdivision (2) of this subsection is the proximate cause of the serious injury.

(4) The person has a previous conviction of impaired boating under G.S. 75A-10(b1) within seven years of the date of the offense.

(d) Aggravated Death by Impaired Boating. – A person commits the offense of aggravated death by impaired boating if all of the following apply:

(1) The person unintentionally causes the death of another person.

(2) The person was engaged in the offense of impaired boating under G.S. 75A-10(b1).

(3) The commission of the offense in subdivision (2) of this subsection is the proximate cause of the death.

(4) The person has a previous conviction of impaired boating under G.S. 75A-10(b1) within seven years of the date of the offense.

(e) Repeat Death by Impaired Boating. – A person commits the offense of repeat death by impaired boating if all of the following apply:

(1) The person commits an offense under subsection (a) or subsection (d) of this section.

(2) The person has a previous conviction under at least one of the following:

a. Subsection (a) of this section.

b. Subsection (d) of this section.

c. G.S. 14-17 or G.S. 14-18, and the basis of the conviction was the unintentional death of another person while engaged in the offense of impaired boating under G.S. 75A-10(b1).

The pleading and proof of previous convictions shall be in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 15A-928.

(f) Punishments. – Unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, the following classifications apply to the offenses set forth in this section:

(1) Repeat death by impaired boating is a Class B2 felony.

(2) Aggravated death by impaired boating is a Class D felony. Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 15A-1340.17, the court shall sentence the defendant in the aggravated range of the appropriate Prior Record Level.

(3) Death by impaired boating is a Class D felony. Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 15A-1340.17, intermediate punishment is authorized for a defendant who is a Prior Record Level I offender.

(4) Aggravated serious injury by impaired boating is a Class E felony.

(5) Serious injury by impaired boating is a Class F felony.

(g) No Double Prosecutions. – No person who has been placed in jeopardy upon a charge of death by impaired boating may be prosecuted for the offense of manslaughter arising out of the same death; and no person who has been placed in jeopardy upon a charge of manslaughter may be prosecuted for death by impaired boating arising out of the same death.

On August 28, 2023, the first conviction of death by boating while impaired was achieved in Brunswick County when Matthew Ferster pleaded guilty to three counts of death by impaired boating.  Mr. Ferster was sentenced to 9.5 to 18.5 years in prison.  Matthew Ferster had caused a boating crash in March of 2020 that claimed the lives of 26-year-old Jennifer Hayes, 21-year-old Megan Lynn, and 21-year-old Garret Smith.

If you or someone you know receive a traffic ticket or any other criminal charge in New Hanover (Wilmington,) Pender (Burgaw,) or Brunswick Counties (Bolivia,) or if you or someone you know get seriously injured in an accident at which they were not at fault, call Collins Law Firm at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation about what we can do to help you.

By Jana H. Collins

This week, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is focusing on their new campaign, “Operation Stop Arm,” in the midst of National School Bus Safety Week. The goal of Operation Stop Arm is to get students to school safer and to raise awareness for school bus safety laws through educational and enforcement measures.

Every day, there are approximately 14,000 school buses traveling North Carolina Highways transporting an average of 795,000 students to and from school. The Highway Patrol believes many accidents involving buses and students can be prevented if drivers are more inclined to just simply pay attention.

In North Carolina, passing a stopped school bus is a Class 1 misdemeanor and if convicted, the driver will receive five points on their driver’s license and a minimum $500 fine. If a driver passes a stopped school bus and strikes a person, it is a Class I felony and a Class H felony if the driver strikes a person and that violation results in death.

Should you or someone you know receive a citation for passing a stopped school bus or another traffic citation in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick County, Collins Law Firm can assist you. Give us a call at 910-793-9000 for a free consultation.

By Cheyenne M. Hensley, Legal Assistant

In 2021, 424 speed related crash fatalities were reported in North Carolina, 273 of which were of the male population between the ages of 15 and 29. 

At high rates of speed, one’s ability to avoid obstacles in the road, or to maintain lane control in curves is drastically reduced, and vehicles travel considerably further after brakes are applied before they come to a complete stop. 

To bring awareness of the dangers of speeding the Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s annual campaign “Speed a Little Lose a Lot” was launched today, April 11, 2022, and will last through Sunday, April 17, 2022. 

During this campaign, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, teamed up with law enforcement across the state, will step up the enforcement of speed limits in order to get motorists to slow down. 

For your own sake and the sake of others, please obey the traffic laws, and travel safely. 

However, should you or someone you know receive a citation for a traffic law violation such as a speeding ticket, call the friendly professionals at Collins Law Firm at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation.

Collins Law Firm represents people charged with a wide range of traffic matters from simple speeding tickets to serious felony charges. In many cases we are able to avoid the necessity of our clients appearing in court and we help eliminate or mitigate the negative consequences of citations or charges. For most minor traffic matters, Collins Law Firm offers a free initial telephone consultation or we usually have appointments available immediately if you would like to come to our office to meet with a member of our staff.

By Jana H. Collins

In Part I, we discussed the Second Chance Act, and how it will affect charges that are dismissed without leave, dismissed by the court, acquitted, found not guilty, or not responsible on or after December 1, 2021. This blog, Part II, will discuss some of the other changes to expungement laws in North Carolina.

According to N.C.G.S.§ 15A-146(a4), an automatic expunction will not be required by law for a case with a felony charge that was dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement – individuals in this scenario must petition for an expunction, as it was the case under the previous statute.

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5 (c), the petition for expunction shall not be filed earlier than one of the following:

 (1) For expunction of one nonviolent misdemeanor, five years after the date of the conviction or when any active sentence, period of probation, or post-release supervision has been served, whichever occurs later.

(2) For expunction of more than one nonviolent misdemeanor, seven years after the date of the person’s last conviction, other than a traffic offense not listed in the petition for expunction, or seven years after any active sentence, period of probation, or post-release supervision has been served, whichever occurs later.

(3) For expunction of one nonviolent felony, 10 years after the date of the conviction or 10 years after any active sentence, period of probation, or post-release supervision has been served, whichever occurs later.

If an individual has been previously granted an expunction for a nonviolent felony or nonviolent misdemeanor, then they are not eligible for an expunction under the new law.

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5 (a), the term “nonviolent misdemeanor” or “nonviolent felony” means any misdemeanor or felony except the following:

(1) A Class A through G felony or a Class A1 misdemeanor.

(2) An offense that includes assault as an essential element of the offense.

(3) An offense requiring registration pursuant to Article 27A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, whether or not the person is currently required to register.

(4) Any of the following sex-related or stalking offenses: G.S. 14-27.25(b), 14-27.30(b), 14-190.7, 14-190.8, 14-190.9, 14-202, 14-208.11A, 14-208.18, 14-277.3, 14-277.3A, 14-321.1.

(5) Any felony offense in Chapter 90 of the General Statutes where the offense involves methamphetamines, heroin, or possession with intent to sell or deliver or sell and deliver

cocaine.

(6) An offense under G.S. 14-12.12(b), 14-12.13, or 14-12.14, or any offense for which punishment was determined pursuant to G.S. 14-3(c).

(7) An offense under G.S. 14-401.16.

(7a) An offense under G.S. 14-54(a), 14-54(a1), or 14-56.

(8) Any felony offense in which a commercial motor vehicle was used in the commission of the offense.

(8a) An offense involving impaired driving as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(24a).

(9) Any offense that is an attempt to commit an offense described in subdivisions (1) through (8a) of this subsection.

If you or a loved one has a criminal record in New Hanover (including Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach), Pender (including Hampstead and Burgaw), or Brunswick County (including Bolivia, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Shallotte, Leland, and Southport), and are interested in having your record expunged, please give us a call for a confidential consultation. Mr. Collins has been successfully handling expunctions for over 20 years.

By Karen M. Thompson, Paralegal

The Second Chance Act was signed by Governor Cooper on June 25, 2020, with a unanimous passing at the General Assembly. This new bill, in an effort to expand opportunities and streamline services for expunctions (or expungements), will not only benefit individuals with criminal records, but also law enforcement and court personnel.

Charges that are dismissed without leave, dismissed by the court, acquitted, found not guilty, or not responsible on or after December 1, 2021, will be automatically expunged pursuant to the new North Carolina General Statute §15A-146(a4). Until that date, charges that fall under the same category will need to still be petitioned to be expunged, either by the individual or an attorney. In addition, there will be no disqualification based on prior convictions of felonies or misdemeanors. Under the previous law, individuals with prior felony convictions could not obtain an expunction of a dismissed charge. The new statute also involves no waiting period and no limit on the number of expungements an individual can pursue for dismissed charges.  A petition for expunction may be filed by the affected person or by the District Attorney.

According to the new statute, if any person is charged with a crime, either a misdemeanor or a felony, or is charged with an infraction, the charges in the case are expunged by operation of law if all of the following apply:

(1) All charges in the case are disposed on or after December 1, 2021, and

(2) All charges in the case are dismissed without leave, dismissed by the

court, or result in a finding of not guilty or not responsible.

If you or someone you know is interested in having their record expunged in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick County, please give our office a call for a confidential consultation. We also handle serious personal injury and wrongful death cases as well as wills and estates with our of counsel attorney, Mitch Baker.

By Karen M. Thompson, Paralegal

Since November of 2018, there has been an ongoing investigation into drug activities within fraternities on the campuses of University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University, and Duke University. 21 people, including alumni of the colleges, were indicted last week on charges ranging from conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, to use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug felony, and distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a public or private college or university. Law enforcement seized almost 150 pounds of marijuana, 442 grams of cocaine, 189 Xanax pills, steroids, HGH, and about $27,775.00 in U.S. Currency.

One individual, Francisco Javier Ochoa, Jr., plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana on November 24, 2020. As a result, he was sentenced to 73 months in prison, five years of supervised probation, and he was ordered to pay the court $250,000.00. The investigation discovered that Ochoa provided cocaine to the fraternities from California via the U.S. Postal Service, and marijuana was transported by car.

As a result of these charges, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill has suspended 3 fraternities – Phi Gamma Delta, Kappa Sigma, and Beta Theta Pi, due to their involvement in the purchase and distribution of large amounts of illegal drugs.

Although marijuana is legal in some states, it is not yet legal here in North Carolina, for neither medical nor recreational use.

We hope it will not become necessary, but if you or a loved one find yourself in need of an attorney for a serious personal injury or wrongful death matter, or you get into trouble with a criminal matter, or receive a traffic ticket, please give our office a call for a confidential consultation. We handle matters in New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick Counties. We also handle wills, caveats, and estate litigations with our of counsel attorney, Mitch Baker.

By Karen M. Thompson, Paralegal

In December 2017, the availability of the expunction (or expungement) process for convictions had been drastically improved by Senate Bill 445.  Now we are looking at yet more changes. On June 25, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 562, a.k.a. The Second Chance Act, which will ease previous requirements, allowing even more individuals with a criminal history to have a chance at clearing their record. While some changes become effective December 1, 2020, the most sweeping changes – the automatic expunction of dismissals or acquittals by operation of law – will not become effective until December 1, 2021.  Below are a few examples of the modifications to the expunction laws that will apply to offenses committed by individuals of at least 18 years of age:

In addition to felonies and misdemeanors, infractions will be eligible for expunction as long as the charges were dismissed or for which a finding of not guilty or not responsible was entered.  Also, it will no longer be required that the person had not previously been convicted of a felony to pursue an expunction for a dismissed or not guilty charge.

Felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions that were dismissed or for which a finding of not guilty or not responsible was entered on or after December 1, 2021, will be automatically expunged by operation of law, not requiring a petition.

Also, pursuant to The Second Chance Act, a person may file a petition for expunction of more than just one nonviolent misdemeanor convictions, but in that case will have to wait seven years rather than only five years in order to do so.

The team at Collins Law Firm has been handling scores of expunctions for over 20 years in New Hanover County, Pender County, and Brunswick County.  If you are interested in having your record expunged, please give our office a call at (910) 793-9000 for a confidential consultation to discuss your eligibility.

By Karen M. Thompson, Paralegal

Just recently, since June 6, 2020, six troopers have been sent to the hospital with a range of injuries due to separate collisions in which other motorists struck Highway Patrol vehicles. The failure to obey by the move over laws of our State contributed to five our of these six incidents. On Monday, July 27, 2020, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol launched their Move Over Campaign to gain compliance with the Move Over laws by motorists in an attempt to prevent future collisions.

Often, drivers appear to be unsure about what they are expected or required to do.  Therefore, please make sure to become familiar with these laws, and protect those who risk their lives to protect us:

Upon the approach of an emergency vehicle “giving warning signal by appropriate light and by audible bell, siren or exhaust whistle, audible under normal conditions from a distance not less than 1000 feet”, North Carolina General Statue (N.C.G.S.) §20-157(a) provides that “the driver of every other vehicle shall immediately drive the same to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right-hand edge or curb, clear of any intersection of streets or highways, and shall stop and remain in such position unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement or traffic officer until the law enforcement or fire department vehicle, or … shall have passed. Provided, however, this subsection shall not apply to vehicles traveling in the opposite direction of the vehicles herein enumerated when traveling on a four-lane limited access highway with a median divider dividing the highway for vehicles traveling in opposite directions, and provided further that the violation of this subsection shall be negligence per se. Violation of this subsection is a Class 2 misdemeanor.”

With respect to fire apparatuses, N.C.G.S. §20-157 provides in subsections (b), (c), and (d) that it is unlawful to follow too closely when it is traveling in response to a fire alarm, to park too close to where a fire apparatus has stopped to answer an alarm, or to drive a motor vehicle over or block a fire hose or any other equipment being used at a fire.

When an authorized emergency vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of a roadway and is giving a warning signal by appropriate light, N.C.G.S. $20-157(f) provides that:

• Move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the authorized emergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle and if the approaching vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
• Slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the vehicle at a reduced speed and be prepared to stop until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle or if the approaching vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

With the amendment of N.C.G.S. §20-157 effective December 1, 2019, the penalty for those who violate the State’s Move Over Law causing serious injury or death by violating this section have increased—a violation resulting in damage to property or injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency response person is now a Class 1 misdemeanor pursuant to N.C.G.S. §20-157(h), which carries a maximum punishment of 120 days;  a violation resulting in serious injury or death to a law enforcement officer or emergency response person is now a Class I felony pursuant to N.C.G.S. §20-157(i), which carries a maximum punishment of 24 months.

Be attentive and considerate and obey by the laws governing the use of our roadways in order to protect lives and save yourself the headache of facing charges, court costs, fines, and potential insurance increases. However, should you receive a traffic ticket in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick County, call Collins Law Firm at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation. We are here to help!

By Jana H. Collins, Office Manager