With the recent data for COVID, which includes a continuous decrease in the number of positive tests as well as a constant rate of vaccine distribution, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced this week in the new Executive Order 204 that there will be further easement of COVID restrictions, effective tomorrow, March 26, 2021.

Changes that will be effective tomorrow, 3-26-2021, include the following:

1. The 11:00 p.m. curfew for alcohol sales and consumption at bars and restaurants will be lifted;
2. Museums, aquariums, retail businesses, salons and other personal care shops will be able to have capacity at up to 100% indoors and outdoors, as long as they have the required safety protocols in place;
3. Restaurants, breweries, amusement parks, gyms, pools, and other recreation establishments will be able to have capacity of up to 75% indoors and up to 100% outdoors; and
4. Bars, movie theaters, conference centers, sports arenas, and other venues for live performances can have capacity of up to 50% indoors and outdoors and are subject to masks and 6-feet social distancing.

The mask mandate and social distancing protocols will continue to stay in place across the State.

With respect to students attending in-person classes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently changed its guidelines, stating that students can safely sit three feet apart instead of six feet. Masks and frequent handwashing are still required.

Locally, as of April 12, 2021, New Hanover County students in grades 6-12 will have the option to either attend in-person classes 5 days per week, or they can choose to stay fully virtual.

By Karen M. Thompson, Paralegal

It’s that time of year again, folks! Time to push those clocks forward one hour this Sunday, March 14, so we will “lose” an hour of sleep this weekend. The first day of Spring, which is also known as the Vernal Equinox, is Saturday, March 20, 2021.

As we continue to remember and look back on the past year of the pandemic – from quarantining, social distancing, losing loved ones, and lives being turned upside down in every possible way – we can also appreciate the little things that make us smile, including a few days of warmer weather and sunshine.

The increasing number of North Carolinians receiving the COVID vaccine has also seemed to put a glimmer of hope into our hearts that we might – one day soon – be able to gather in a group with friends to enjoy the summer weather.

As the weather continues to warm up and COVID restrictions are becoming slightly more lenient, there is a higher possibility of finding yourself in need of an attorney, because you received a traffic ticket, or face even more serious charges such as driving while impaired (DWI / DUI), underage drinking, possession of drugs and/or drug paraphernalia, possession of open container, etc.  There is also an increased risk of getting injured while traveling by car, or while boating. 

Should you find yourself in need of an attorney for a serious personal injury or wrongful death matter, or should you need representation for a criminal charge, or a traffic ticket, please give our office a call for a confidential consultation.

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

Since January of this year, the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19, as well as the number of positive tests have decreased significantly. Additionally, at least 1.2 million North Carolinians have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Today, February 24, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper announced that a few COVID-19 restrictions will be eased, this week. A new executive order is set to go into effect this Friday, February 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m., and last until March 26, 2021.

The following changes will be put into effect this Friday:

• Bars may reopen for indoor seating with a 30% capacity or 250 people, whichever is less;
• The statewide curfew from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. will expire;
• Social gathering limits will be for 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors;
• Businesses that were operating at 30% capacity will now have a 250-person maximum;
• Alcohol can be sold at bars and restaurants until 11:00 p.m.;
• More spectators will be allowed at high school, college, and professional sports events – the number allowed will depend on venue size;
• Indoor arenas with a 5,000-person capacity will be able to open with 15% capacity, so long as all safety protocols are followed; and
• Workers, athletes, entertainers, and staff do not count toward the above capacity limits.

Certain restrictions will remain in place, such as the statewide mask mandate, and the 50% capacity limit for businesses and retailers including restaurants, breweries, wineries, retail stores, gyms, museums, aquariums, barbers and personal care venues, pools and outdoor areas of amusement parks.

This news comes as a small sigh of relief for some small businesses who struggled during the shutdown last year – many of which have not yet been able to recover.

With respect to the vaccine rollout, frontline medical workers, teachers, educators, childcare workers, and people over age 65 are currently eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Group 3, which includes other frontline essential workers, will be eligible to get their first dose as of March 10.

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

Many states in the Midwest, Northeast, and other parts of North America are either under several inches of snow, or are anticipating the same in the near future. Below-normal temperatures, flooding, storms that seem to appear out of nowhere, and power outages have also swept across much of the United States within the past few weeks.

Locally, in Brunswick County, there was a deadly tornado that hit on Monday night, killing three people and injuring ten. According to WECT, it is ideal to have a tornado watch issued hours prior to a storm, in order to warn local citizens that a tornado may be likely in the current conditions. However, for this storm, there was only six minutes between the issuance of the severe thunderstorm warning and the tornado warning. The storm intensified too quickly for Brunswick County Emergency Services to send a timely warning. The Emergency Services Director at the Brunswick County Emergency Services, Edward Conrow, said that he heard the first crack of thunder, and only a few seconds later the tornado touched down. The National Weather Service says the tornado was designated as an EF-3 with estimated wind speeds of about 160 miles per hour (MPH).

The tornado touched down at 2 North Sunset Beach at 11:34 p.m. on Monday night, and dissipated about 22 miles away, at 10 SW Delco in Columbus County by 12:02 a.m. on Tuesday.  In addition to the loss of life the tornado caused, 60 homes were damaged, and over 35,000 people lost power.

There was a community-wide cleanup effort that started before the sun came up on Tuesday, including volunteers from the Red Cross and neighboring communities.

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

2020 was a year of uncertainty, anxiety, and hardship. It may be hard to be optimistic these days, but the prospect of a new year can entice a feeling of hope and optimism.

Country Haven, a neighborhood in Wilmington, North Carolina, helped spread some positivity over the weekend by lining their streets with over 2,000 luminaries. This was a representation of lost loved ones, reflection on 2020, and looking to 2021 with a “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Another light at the end of the “COVID Tunnel” could be the vaccines that are being administered in phases, prioritizing medical workers that deal first hand with COVID patients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two vaccines, one from Moderna and one from Pfizer, that have to be administered in two separate shots – the Moderna vaccine must be given 28 days apart, and the Pfizer vaccine needs 21 days between the shots. Although it widely depends on how quickly the vaccines are received and then administered, North Carolina healthcare officials are hopeful that everyone that wishes to get the vaccine will be able to, by Summer 2021.

In the meantime, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the modified Stay-At-Home Order that introduced the curfew from 10:00 pm – 5:00 am for nonessential travel, will be extended for at least three more weeks.

As reported by WECT, North Carolinians are directed to:

• Only leave home for essential activities such as going to work or school, for health care purposes, to care for family members or to buy food.
• Avoid leaving home if you are over 65 or at high risk for developing serious illness. Use delivery services or alternative pick-up methods for food and retail.
• Avoid gathering with people who do not live with you.
• Wear a mask and keep distance from people when you leave home.
• Avoid any indoor public spaces where people are not wearing masks.
• Stay away from crowds. Avoid places where people may gather in large numbers.

As the year continues, we hope that there will be more good news to come, more positivity and hope to spread, and we can persevere and make it through 2021!

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

Even though the 2020 holiday season is in full swing, it certainly has a different feel to it this year. As a result of COVID-19, there has been a worldwide shift in how people are celebrating. Less people are expected to travel, and when they do, the typical holiday parties and gatherings are being adjusted or rescheduled to accommodate guidelines by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to Forbes, Christmas travel in the United States is being anticipated to drop quite a bit from 2019. 61% less people were screened by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, than on the same day in 2019.

With respect to how to safely gather for the holidays with your family, the CDC recommends that the safest bet is staying home, of course. However, if you will be gathering with family, the CDC recommends that you try to gather outdoors if possible, and try to keep at least 6 feet apart between people who do not share the same household. Rather than having a buffet style meal where everyone gathers around the food at once, another option could be to prepare plates ahead of time with disposable utensils, so that guests can get their food one by one and go back to their seats.

Law enforcement has their work cut out for them for this holiday season. Not only do they normally have to work tirelessly through the holidays to keep us safe, but this year is exceptionally tough due to COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed on us, and the lack of guidelines regarding the enforcement of same.

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. If you have court in Brunswick County, the Courthouse is located in Bolivia, North Carolina, and includes Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach. If you receive a ticket in Topsail Beach or Surf City, you will need to go to the Pender County Courthouse, which is located in Burgaw, North Carolina. If you get a ticket in Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington Beach, Carolina Beach, or Kure Beach, you will have court in New Hanover County, which is located in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. We also handle wills, caveats, and estate litigations with our of counsel attorney, Mitch Baker.

By Karen M. Thompson, Paralegal