Through the years of local zoning and planning, we have managed to create increasingly complex use lists.  Each local ordinance has its own long list of defined uses, drawing fine lines between similar uses like “parks” and “public recreation facilities,” … Read more

It was big news for tax geeks like me back in early 2011 when the federal government released new regulations controlling garnishments of bank accounts that contain certain federal benefit payments.  The regulations made banks responsible for determining if a garnished account … Read more

In Executive Medical Transportation, Inc. v Jones County Department of Social Services, 735 S.E.2d 352 (NC Ct. App. 2012), disc. rev. den’d, 737 S.E.2d 378 (N.C. 2013), the North Carolina Court of Appeals held that an oral agreement between a … Read more

This may seem like a silly question. Mug shots (more formally, “booking photographs”) are everywhere, posted for free, searchable on line, sold in magazines at convenience stores, and regularly provided by law enforcement agencies. I never considered the question of … Read more

Local governments often find themselves being sued over injuries allegedly caused by their officials or employees.  Such lawsuits sometimes include both tort claims and state constitutional claims premised on the same set of facts.  For example, a plaintiff who believes … Read more

One of the many bills that has drawn public and media attention this spring has been House Bill 150, a bill dealing with residential “design controls.” With certain notable exceptions it generally prohibits zoning or land subdivision regulations related to … Read more

A small restaurant on the edge of town has been in operation for many years.  Rick’s Cafe Carolinian was built in the 1940’s by Vic and Ilsa Laszlo at a time when the surrounding land was only woods and fields.  … Read more

The United States Supreme Court recently upheld a provision in the state of Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which allows only Virginia citizens to request  public records under the act. The case is McBurney v. Young.  Could a North Carolina local … Read more

It’s not a meeting that anyone wants.  The public works director is going to have to tell the truck driver that his poor performance is threatening his job.  The city manager is going to tell the police chief that a … Read more