how can an north carolina attorney general be removed

by Ms. Cassandra Erdman Jr. 9 min read

GS 7A-498.8(a) empowers the commission to suspend or remove the appellate defender for cause by a two-thirds vote of all members. The commission must give written notice of the cause and provide a hearing. A decision to suspend or remove is subject to appeal to Wake County superior court.

Who is the Attorney General of North Carolina?

Feb 04, 2015 · Recall General law in North Carolina does not provide for recall elections for elected officials. Twenty-five cities (including Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem) and two school administrative units do have recall as a possibility by local act of the General Assembly: But for elected board members in the 500 other cities, all 100 counties, and all other …

Who is the head of the North Carolina Department of Justice?

Section 17(1) provides that the General Assembly may remove any judge or justice for mental or physical incapacity by two-thirds vote of all members of each house of the legislature. It also provides that the General Assembly may remove a judge …

What is North Carolina’s Law of removal?

the attorney agrees to be subject to the orders and amenable to the disciplinary action and the civil jurisdiction of the General Court of Justice and the North Carolina State Bar in all respects as if the attorney were a regularly admitted and licensed member of …

How long is the term limit for the North Carolina attorney general?

Apr 26, 2018 · In addition to entering an order that was impermissibly broad, the state supreme court in Camacho determined that the trial court erred by ordering the district attorney and his staff to withdraw from the case solely because the prosecution “might create an appearance of a conflict of interest.”

Is NC Attorney General appointed?

The Attorney General is elected by the people of North Carolina every four years as the state's top law enforcement officer and top lawyer.

Who is above the District Attorney?

The state attorney general is the highest law enforcement officer in state government and often has the power to review complaints about unethical and illegal conduct on the part of district attorneys.

How much does a DA make?

How much does a District Attorney make? The average District Attorney in the US makes $77,118. The average bonus for a District Attorney is $7,054 which represents 9% of their salary, with 100% of people reporting that they receive a bonus each year.

How can NC justices be removed from office?

Any Justice or Judge of the General Court of Justice may be removed from office for mental or physical incapacity by joint resolution of two-thirds of all the members of each house of the General Assembly.

Who is the most powerful person in the courtroom?

Prosecutors are the most powerful officials in the American criminal justice system. The decisions they make, particularly the charging and plea-bargaining decisions, control the operation of the system and often predetermine the outcome of criminal cases.

Which of the following is an example of prosecutorial misconduct?

Failing to turn over exculpatory evidence. Tampering with evidence. Knowingly presenting false witness testimony or other false evidence to a court or grand jury. Asking a defendant or defense witness damaging and suggestive questions with no factual basis.

Which state pays prosecutors the most?

How much does a State Prosecutor make? The average State Prosecutor in the US makes $63,704. State Prosecutors make the most in San Francisco, CA at $95,777, averaging total compensation 50% greater than the US average.

What do district attorneys do?

A district attorney is a public official who is appointed or elected to represent the state in criminal judicial proceedings in a particular judicial district or county; an appointed or elected officer who prosecutes cases in a particular judicial district.

What kind of lawyer makes the most money?

Types Of Lawyers That Make The Most MoneyMedical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

What does Article 1 of the NC Constitution deal with?

Section 1. The equality and rights of persons. We hold it to be self-evident that all persons are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, the enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor, and the pursuit of happiness.

Can citizens impeach the governor of NC?

The governor, lieutenant governor, justices, and members of the Council of State can be impeached in the Tar Heel State. As it turns out, it's been done before. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The top elected official in North Carolina can be impeached, as well as other statewide elected officials.Feb 11, 2021

How do I file a complaint against a judge in NC?

Just fill out a State Bar grievance form or send us a letter describing the problem. You can get a grievance form by clicking here or by calling our office at 919-828-4620. We can also send you a brochure describing the grievance process.

What is the procedure for removal of magistrates in North Carolina?

As discussed above, Article IV, Section 17(3) of the North Carolina Constitution authorizes the General Assembly to establish a procedure for removal of a magistrate for misconduct or mental or physical incapacity. The legislature has implemented that provision by enactment of GS 7A-173.

Can a public defender be suspended?

GS 7A-498.7(h) says that a public defender or assistant public defender may be suspended or removed from office for the same reasons and under the same procedure as a district attorney. See the section above about removal of the district attorney.

Who is the Attorney General of North Carolina?

Josh Stein was sworn in as North Carolina’s 50 th Attorney General on January 1, 2017. The Attorney General is elected by the people of North Carolina every four years as the state’s top law enforcement officer and top lawyer. Attorney General Stein is focused on protecting North Carolina families from crime and consumer fraud. Attorney General Stein has also made combating the opioid crisis as a top priority.

What does the Attorney General do?

The Attorney General protects the taxpayers as well, by providing legal representation to state government agencies, departments and commissions, and by investigating and cracking down on Medicaid fraud. The Attorney General also oversees the North Carolina Justice Academy and the North Carolina State Crime Lab.

What is the role of Attorney General Stein?

Attorney General Stein has also made combating the opioid crisis as a top priority. As the head of the Department of Justice, the Attorney General oversees criminal appeals from state courts to ensure that criminals are kept behind bars and innocent people are not. Stein also ensures that consumers are protected by going after scam artists ...

Who are the officers of the NC State Bar?

The officers of the North Carolina State Bar and the Council shall consist of a president, president-elect, vice-president and an immediate past president, who shall be deemed members of the Council in all respects. The president, president-elect and vice-president need not be members of the Council at the time of their election. There shall be a secretary-treasurer who shall also have the title of executive director, but who shall not be a member of the Council. All officers shall be elected annually by the Council at an election to take place at the annual meeting of the North Carolina State Bar. The regular term of all officers is one year. The Council is the judge of the election and qualifications of its members.

How long does it take to get a copy of a North Carolina court order?

The clerk of any court of this State in which a member of the North Carolina State Bar is convicted of any criminal offense, disciplined, found to be in contempt of the court or adjudged incompetent shall transmit a certified copy of the order or judgment to the secretary-treasurer of the North Carolina State Bar within 10 days of the entry of such judgment or order. (1975, c. 582, s. 11.)

What is a NC paralegal?

The Council or any committee appointed by it for that purpose may inquire into and investigate any charges or complaints of (i) unauthorized or unlawful practice of law or (ii) the use of the designations, "North Carolina Certified Paralegal," "North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal ," or "Paralegal Certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification," by individuals who have not been certified in accordance with the rules adopted by the North Carolina State Bar. The Council may bring or cause to be brought and maintained in the name of the North Carolina State Bar an action or actions, upon information or upon the complaint of any person or entity against any person or entity that engages in rendering any legal service, holds himself or herself out as a North Carolina certified paralegal by use of the designations set forth in this subsection, or makes it a practice or business to render legal services that are unauthorized or prohibited by law. No bond for cost shall be required in the proceeding. In an action brought under this section, the final judgment if in favor of the plaintiff shall perpetually restrain the defendant or defendants from the commission or continuance of the unauthorized or unlawful act or acts. A temporary injunction to restrain the commission or continuance of the act or acts may be granted upon proof or by affidavit, that the defendant or defendants have violated any of the laws applicable to unauthorized or unlawful practice of law or the unauthorized use of the designations set forth in subsection (a) of this section or any other designation implying certification by the State Bar. The provisions of law relating generally to injunctions as provisional remedies in actions shall apply to a temporary injunction and the proceedings for temporary injunctions.

What is the purpose of the State Bar Council?

The Council is vested, as an agency of the State, with the authority to regulate the professional conduct of licensed lawyers and State Bar certified paralegals. Among other powers, the Council shall administer this Article; take actions that are necessary to ensure the competence of lawyers and State Bar certified paralegals; formulate and adopt rules of professional ethics and conduct; investigate and prosecute matters of professional misconduct; grant or deny petitions for reinstatement; resolve questions pertaining to membership status; arbitrate disputes concerning legal fees; certify legal specialists and paralegals and charge fees to applicants and participants necessary to administer these certification programs; determine whether a member is disabled; maintain an annual registry of interstate and international law firms doing business in this State; and formulate and adopt procedures for accomplishing these purposes. The Council may do all things necessary in the furtherance of the purposes of this Article that are not otherwise prohibited by law.

What happens if an attorney commits a fraudulent practice?

If any attorney commits any fraudulent practice, he shall be liable in an action to the party injured, and on the verdict passing against him, judgment shall be given for the plaintiff to recover double damages. (1743, c. 37; R.C., c. 9, s. 6; Code, s. 23; Rev., s. 215; C. S., s. 202.)

How many members are on the NC bar?

There shall be a disciplinary hearing commission of the North Carolina State Bar which shall consist of 20 members. Twelve of these members shall be members of the North Carolina State Bar, and shall be appointed by the Council. The other eight shall be citizens of North Carolina not licensed to practice law in this or any other state, four of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, two by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120-121, and two by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120-121. The Council shall designate one of its appointees as chair and another as vice-chair. The chair shall have actively practiced law in the courts of the State for at least 10 years. Except as set out herein, the terms of members of the commission are set at three years commencing on the first day of July of the year of their appointment. The Council, the Governor, and the General Assembly respectively, shall appoint members to fill unexpired terms when vacancies are created by resignation, disqualification, disability or death, except that vacancies in appointments made by the General Assembly may also be filled as provided by G.S. 120-122. No member may serve more than a total of seven years or a one-year term and two consecutive three-year terms: Provided, that any member or former member who is designated chair may serve one additional three-year term in that capacity. No member of the Council may be appointed to the commission. The disciplinary hearing commission of the North Carolina State Bar, or any committee of the disciplinary hearing commission, may hold hearings in discipline, incapacity and disability matters, make findings of fact and conclusions of law after these hearings, enter orders necessary to carry out the duties delegated to it by the Council, and tax the costs to an attorney who is disciplined or is found to be incapacitated or disabled.

What is practice law?

The phrase "practice law" as used in this Chapter is defined to be performing any legal service for any other person, firm or corporation, with or without compensation, specifically including the preparation or aiding in the preparation of deeds, mortgages, wills, trust instruments, inventories, accounts or reports of guardians, trustees, administrators or executors, or preparing or aiding in the preparation of any petitions or orders in any probate or court proceeding; abstracting or passing upon titles, the preparation and filing of petitions for use in any court, including administrative tribunals and other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies, or assisting by advice, counsel, or otherwise in any legal work; and to advise or give opinion upon the legal rights of any person, firm or corporation: Provided, that the above reference to particular acts which are specifically included within the definition of the phrase "practice law" shall not be construed to limit the foregoing general definition of the term, but shall be construed to include the foregoing particular acts, as well as all other acts within the general definition.

Why did the district attorney withdraw from the case?

The trial court nevertheless ordered the district attorney’s office to withdraw from the case to “avoid even the possibility or impression of any conflict of interest,” and also ordered that the district attorney’s office have “no further participation” in the case. The state supreme court concluded that the trial court exceeded its authority in so ...

What is the name of the office that the district attorney seeks to prosecute a case?

When a district attorney identifies a conflict of interest associated with his or her prosecution of a case, the district attorney may seek assistance with the prosecution from another prosecutorial district, the Attorney General’s Special Prosecution Division , the Administrative Office of the Courts, or the Conference of District Attorneys.

What happens if a trial court finds a conflict of interest?

A trial court that finds an actual conflict of interest may disqualify the prosecutor having the conflict from participating in the prosecution of the defendant’s case and order the prosecutor not to reveal information that might be harmful to the defendant.

What is a district attorney?

District attorneys are constitutionally and statutorily charged with prosecuting criminal actions in their districts. Each district attorney employs a number of assistant district attorneys who assist in carrying out this work. A district attorney may even, as Jonathan discussed in this earlier post, employ a private attorney to assist ...

When can a prosecutor be disqualified?

Smith court noted that, under Camacho, a prosecutor may be disqualified only when the trial court has found an actual conflict of interest involving prior representation by the prosecutor and the obtaining of confidential information detrimental to the defendant.

Did the assistant district attorney see the defendant's files?

She had not, however, seen any of the defendant’s files while working in the public defender’s office and could not recall the substance of any conversations regarding the defendant’s case. ...

Can a trial court disqualify a prosecutor?

The Camacho court held that a trial court may only disqualify a prosecutor for an actual conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists when a district attorney or member of his or her staff previously represented the defendant with regard to the charges to be prosecuted and, as a result of that former attorney-client relationship, ...

When was the Attorney General appointed in North Carolina?

The title "Attorney General" was used in colonial North Carolina as early as 1677 , when George Durant was appointed by Governor John Jenkins. In theory, colonial Attorneys General represented the British Attorney General, who represented the Crown.

How long does the Attorney General of North Carolina serve?

The North Carolina Constitution provides for the election of the attorney general to serve a four-year term. There is no limit on the number of terms a person may serve in the office.

What is the job of an attorney general?

Attorney General's duties include providing legal representation and advice to all state agencies. The parameters of that duty have been the subject of some debate, when, for example, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder suggested that state attorneys general should not squander their state's resources in defense of laws they know to be ...

Who renders legal opinions?

The attorney general also renders legal opinions, either formally or informally, upon all questions of law submitted by the General Assembly, the governor, or any other state officer. Attorney General opinions may be viewed online.

Who can initiate legal action?

By statute, in defense of the public interest, the attorney general may initiate legal action or intervene in proceedings before any courts, regulatory officers, agencies or bodies — either state or federal — on behalf of the state's agencies and citizens.

Who is the current governor of North Carolina?

Senator, some of them successfully, such as former governor Mike Easley, former senator Robert B. Morgan, and the current governor, Roy Cooper .

Is the Attorney General elected by the people?

Since 1868, the attorney general has been elected by the people. At the same time, the attorney general became a voting member of the Council of State, rather than the legal advisor to the council. The North Carolina Department of Justice was created by the legislature in the early 1970s. Occupants of the office often run for Governor ...

Attorney General Stein Sues Juul Founders and Launches Statewide E-Cigarettes Investigation

Attorney General Josh Stein is taking major actions against the e-cigarette industry, including suing Juul founders James Monsees and Adam Bowen, launching a statewide investigation into Puff Bar and other e-cigarette manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, and urging FDA Commissioner Nominee Robert Califf to protect kids from flavored e-cigarettes..

Attorney General Josh Stein is Fighting to Reduce Nuisance Robocalls

Robocalls are disrupting the lives of far too many North Carolinians, which is why Attorney General Josh Stein is fighting back against illegal robocallers. He fought to negotiate the Anti-Robocall Principles, an agreement with phone companies that helps identify and prevent robocalls.

Attorney General Josh Stein Fights to Protect North Carolinians from Forever Chemicals

Attorney General Josh Stein has been a national leader in the fight against PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” He filed four lawsuits against 14 manufacturers of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant used widely by firefighters, members of the military, and other first responders, which contains PFAS and contaminates our groundwater..

What is the role of the Attorney General of North Carolina?

Although the Attorney General North Carolina undertakes a vast array of duties and responsibilities, amongst the foremost of their responsibilities is to serve the collective citizenship of the State of North Carolina through legislative advocacy and the guardianship of legal statutes ; the North Carolina Attorney General is considered to be the director of the Department of Justice, as well as the primary law enforcement agent within North Carolina – the various divisions of the Attorney General North Carolina include the following:

How long is the term of the NC Attorney General?

The State of North Carolina’s Constitution expressed that a single term of the office of the Attorney General is not exceed 4-years’ time ; however, there currently exists no limit with regard to the reelection of an incumbent North Carolina Attorney ...

What is the common law in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Attorney General is identified as an officer within the legal realm of Common Law, which is the legal field and ideology considered to rely on past legal statutes, sentencing, and judicial review to serve as guidelines for sentencing; both the reference and respect ...

What is administrative law?

Administrative Law is the legal field associated with events and circumstances in which Federal and State Governments of the United States interact with their respective citizens, including the administration of government programs, the creation of agencies, the establishment of a legal, ...

What is the criminal division?

The Criminal Division oversees the Public Integrity Division, Drug and Narcotics Prevention Division, Scam and Fraud Investigation Bureau. Civil and Civic Division regulates the Elder Advocacy and Abuse Prevention Division, as well as the Victim Rights and Services Department. Consumer Protection and Advocacy Division.