In North Carolina, felonies are classified into ten different categories or classes, each with its own range of penalties and sentencing guidelines. The classes of felonies in North Carolina are:

Class A Felonies: These are the most serious type of felony in North Carolina and include crimes such as first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and certain drug trafficking offenses. Class A felonies are punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Class B1 Felonies: These include offenses such as rape, kidnapping, and some drug trafficking offenses. Class B1 felonies carry a potential sentence of 144 months to life imprisonment.

Class B2 Felonies: This category includes crimes such as voluntary manslaughter, second-degree murder, and some drug trafficking offenses. The potential sentence for a Class B2 felony is between 94 and 393 months in prison.

Class C Felonies: These include offenses such as assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and embezzlement of property worth more than $100,000. Class C felonies carry a potential sentence of between 44 and 182 months in prison.

Class D Felonies: This category includes crimes such as possession of stolen goods, forgery, and embezzlement of property worth between $1,000 and $100,000. The potential sentence for a Class D felony is between 38 and 160 months in prison.

Class E Felonies: These include offenses such as larceny of property worth between $1,000 and $10,000, and possession with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance. Class E felonies carry a potential sentence of between 15 and 63 months in prison.

Class F Felonies: This category includes crimes such as identity theft, larceny of property worth between $500 and $1,000, and possession of a stolen firearm. The potential sentence for a Class F felony is between 10 and 41 months in prison.

Class G Felonies: These include offenses such as breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, larceny of property worth less than $500, and possession of stolen property. Class G felonies carry a potential sentence of between 8 and 31 months in prison.

Class H Felonies: This category includes crimes such as simple assault, possession of a firearm by a felon, and certain drug offenses. The potential sentence for a Class H felony is between 4 and 25 months in prison.

Class I Felonies: These include offenses such as possession of marijuana or cocaine in excess of 1.5 ounces but less than 10 pounds, and carrying a concealed weapon. Class I felonies carry a potential sentence of up to 24 months in prison.

It’s important to note that the potential sentence for a given felony offense can vary based on factors such as the defendant’s criminal history and the circumstances surrounding the crime. Additionally, judges in North Carolina have discretion to depart from the statutory sentencing guidelines in certain cases.

Should you or someone you know get charged with a felony, a misdemeanor, or a traffic ticket in Southeastern North Carolina, in New Hanover (Wilmington), Pender (Burgaw), or Brunswick (Bolivia) Counties, call Collins Law Firm at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation about what we can do to help you.

By Bryanna Gordon, Legal Assistant

The North Carolina district courts have recently implemented a new electronic filing system that promises to streamline court processes and increase efficiency. This new system is expected to be a significant upgrade from the previous paper-based filing system, which is both time-consuming and cumbersome.

The electronic filing system, or EFS, allows attorneys and self-represented litigants to file documents electronically, which eliminates the need to submit paper documents in person or through the mail. This means that court documents can be filed 24/7, providing greater convenience and flexibility to attorneys and parties.

In addition to being more convenient, the EFS system is also expected to be more secure than the previous paper-based system. The system utilizes advanced encryption technology to ensure that all documents and filings are kept confidential and secure. The system also provides access controls and audit trails to help prevent unauthorized access and ensure that only authorized individuals have access to court documents.

The EFS system also has features that improve communication between parties and the court. Parties can receive automatic notifications when documents are filed, ensuring that they are kept up to date on the status of their case. Additionally, the system allows for electronic service of documents, which reduces the need for physical delivery and saves time and money.

Another benefit of the EFS system is that it provides a central location for all court documents and filings. This makes it easier for attorneys and parties to access important documents and filings, as they can do so from any computer with internet access. The system also allows for easy retrieval of documents, which is particularly useful for attorneys who may need to review previous filings or documents.

Overall, the implementation of the electronic filing system for NC district courts is a significant improvement over the previous paper-based system. The EFS system provides increased convenience, security, and efficiency, and it is expected to make court processes faster and more streamlined. The system has been well-received by attorneys and self-represented litigants, and it is expected to become the new standard for court filings in North Carolina.

The electronic filing system is now live in four pilot counties which are Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake Counties.  There is not timeline as to when we can the new system to be implemented in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties.

By Jana H. Collins

Due to the Sunshine Protection Act, there has been some confusion amongst Americans on whether Daylight Saving Time will occur this year. The Sunshine Protection Act to eliminate the seasonal clock/time change was passed by Senate last year. Despite the bill’s passage, this year’s “spring forward” time change will occur on Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 am and the “fall back” time change will occur on November 5, 2023. Don’t forget to change your clocks this weekend.

Although Senate passed the bill in March 2022, the bill remained in a committee in the House of Representatives until reaching expiration of the previous Congress. Failure to reach a conclusion appears to result from differences in opinions on whether the switch should be to permanent standard time or permanent daylight-saving time. People in favor of permanent standard time argue that they have safety concerns for children going to school/waiting at bus stop in the mornings without any sunlight. Additionally, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine states that standard time is better aligned with the human body’s internal clock than daylight saving time. The shift to permanent daylight-saving time would cause darkness in the morning and light in the evening, potentially disrupting people’s sleep quality and routines for work and school.

In contrast, supporters of permanent daylight-saving time want longer daylight hours and argue that this change will reduce seasonal depression and enable more outdoors activities (mainly for children). NBC News reported how Florida Senator, Marco Rubio, initially introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, claiming it would reduce crime, encourage children to play outside, and lower risks of heart attacks and car accidents. Furthermore, a study from 2020 showed a 6% increase in fatal traffic accidents in the week following the time change. Other studies show indication that workplace injuries and medical errors have a slight increase within days following the time change. Nevertheless, Daylight Saving Time shall take place in 2023 and we will hopefully receive a definite answer from Congress at some point this year.

Should you or someone you know receive a traffic ticket or get into a car accident in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick Counties, call Collins Law Firm at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation about what we can do to help you.

By Bryanna Gordon, Legal Assistant

As the Wilmington area continues to grow, more drivers will be on the roads, ultimately increasing the likelihood of car accidents. WECT News compiled a list of some of the worst intersections for car accidents in the area that were reported from 2018-2021. It should be noted that the volume of traffic is what contributes to the number of accidents on these roads and these intersections are not more/less dangerous than other roads and intersections.  

The worst intersections for car accidents reported between 2018-2021 in New Hanover County are as follows:

1.            College Road & New Centre Drive

• 171 accidents were reported at this intersection and the most common type of accident at this intersection is angle accidents (includes T-bone collisions).

2.            Kerr Avenue & Market Street

• 124 accidents were reported here, and angle accidents were the most common accident type. However, NCDOT has made improvements to Kerr Avenue over the last few years and left turns are now prohibited at the intersection.

3.            College Road & Oleander Drive

• 108 accidents were reported at this intersection and the most common accident type was rear-end accidents.

4.            Market Street & New Center Drive

• 106 accidents were reported at this intersection and angle accidents were the most common accident type. Although New Center Drive is a short road, the volume of cars on that road is high, partially due to the several commercial businesses located there.

5.            College Road & MLK Parkway

• 101 accidents were reported here, and rear-end collisions are most common at this intersection. This roadway is heavily traveled, especially since vehicles coming from and heading to Interstate 40 end up at this intersection and onto College Road.

6.            College Road & Randall Parkway

• 99 accidents were reported here, and rear-end collisions are most common at this intersection. This heavily traveled intersection is near UNCW.

7.            Gordan Road & College Road

• 93 accidents were reported here and rear-end collisions are most common at this intersection.

8.            Gingerwood Drive & Market Street

• 89 accidents were reported here, and angle accidents are most common at this intersection.

9.            Fifth Street and Wooster Street

• 88 accidents were reported at this intersection over the three-year period.

10.          Third Street and Wooster Street

• 84 accidents reported here. Only two blocks away from Third & Wooster intersection, this is a common site for high traffic volume because it leads drivers across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

Unfortunately, car accidents occur and are sometimes out of one’s control. However, if you are hurt in a motor vehicle collision, you may be able to recover from the “at fault” driver who caused the accident. In North Carolina, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering by filing a claim for personal injuries. If a person’s death resulted from a collision caused by another driver’s negligence, a wrongful death claim (type of personal injury) could be filed. 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 you get into trouble with a criminal matter, or receive a traffic ticket in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick County, please give our office a call at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation.

By Bryanna Gordon, Legal Assistant

Mark Ezzell, the director of the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program, stated “If you plan on going out and celebrating the holiday season, make sure you plan ahead to have a sober driver take you home. If you drive impaired, you have a lot to lose. Not only could you kill yourself or someone else, you could be facing thousands of dollars in court costs and fines, jail time, and a revoked driver’s license.”

From December 12^th, 2022, to January 1^st, 2023, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is running their “Booze It & Lose It” holiday campaign. The campaign will consist of increased patrols and checkpoints in an effort to apprehend impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.

The 2021 “Booze It & Lose It” campaign data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation reflects that New Hanover County had a total of 25 checkpoints and patrols and 46 total DWI arrests, Pender County had a total of 51 checkpoints and patrols and 14 total DWI arrests, and Brunswick County had a total of 18 checkpoints and patrols and 37 total DWI arrests.

As of December 2022, there has been a total of 432 alcohol or drug-related accidents resulting in deaths. The ”Booze It & Lose It” campaign targets impaired drivers in an effort to prevent that total from increasing before the beginning of the new year.

The NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program recommends travelers stay safe on the roads this holiday season by following a few simple tips:

• Do not drive impaired and plan ahead by obtaining a sober driver
• Wear your seatbelt when riding in any seat in the vehicle
• Follow the speed limit

Should you or someone you know receive criminal charges resulting from driving while impaired or any traffic law violation in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick Counties, call Collins Law Firm at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation about what we can do to help you.

By Cheyenne M. Hensley, Legal Assistant

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

As of December 13, 2021, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol started their Booze It & Lose It campaign, and that will run through January 2, 2022.

Mark Ezzell, the director of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (NCGHSP), says, “If you’re out celebrating this holiday season, make sure you have a sober ride home. If you drive under the influence, you have a lot to lose. Not only could you kill yourself or someone else, but you could face thousands of dollars in court costs and fines, jail time, or a revoked license.”

The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign is one of the largest that is operated by the NCGHSP – in 2020, officers wrote over 1,700 tickets for driving while intoxicated (DWI).

According to the State Highway Patrol, 326 people have died in North Carolina accidents so far in 2021, all due to impaired driving.

According to the NCGHSP, here are some tips to remember for road safety over the holidays (and year round):

•    Never drive impaired and always find a safe ride home;

•    Buckle your seatbelt when riding in any seat in the vehicle; and

•    Follow the speed limit.

However, if you are charged with any type of crime in Southeastern North Carolina, in or around Wilmington, NC, in New Hanover County, Brunswick County, or Pender County, call Collins Law Firm at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation about what we can do to help you.

By Karen M. Thompson, Paralegal

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

After the passing of House Bill 158 on June 19, 2020, temporarily waiving the road test requirement for level two limited provisional licenses, North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) started to offer road tests to teen drivers again.

House Bill 158 did not address 16- or 17-year-olds seeking a full provisional license – Teen Driver Level 3.  In order to advance to Teen Driver Level 3, one needs to pass a road test.   

NCDMV now offers modified contactless road tests at limited locations by appointment for Level 2 drivers that have received a waiver and now need a road test to advance to Level 3, as well for other qualifying reasons such as: 

• One previously failed a road test and was never retested prior to March 2020;
• Governed by lawful and or legal presence status (not permanent residence);
• Driving privileges were suspended when the previous credential expired;

The road tests developed by NCDMV are now contactless and are held in large parking lots.  This way, the license examiner does not need to sit in the car with the driver. However, only 14 out of 115 driver license offices are equipped to offer these contactless road tests. Also, while one can schedule appointments with the NCDMV online, this option does not currently exist for limited provisional licensees wanting to advance to Level 3.   Due to the limited space for contactless road tests, it may take weeks before one can get an appointment.  You may apply for an appointment by contacting NCDMV by phone at (919) 715-7000, or by email via DMVDS@ncdot.gov.  If you email NCDMV in order to apply for a contactless road test, please include your name, county of residence, driver license or permit number, phone number, and the reason qualifying you to take the contactless road test, i.e. level 2 driver wanting to advance, or previously failed road test, etc.

Please make sure to obey by the strict restrictions for your level of teen driving in order to be able to gain the on-the-road experience necessary to drive a vehicle with no supervision and minimal restrictions, and in order to avoid traffic tickets which may be costly.

However, if you find yourself in need of an attorney because were charged with a traffic violation or crime in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick Counties, call Collins Law Firm at (910) 793-9000 for a confidential consultation about how we can help you.

By Jana H. Collins

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