Legal News

PUBLIC BODIES BREAKING THE LAW IN THE NAME OF THE PANDEMIC


June 17, 2021 Legal News

Beth Soja [email protected] If you are covering a public body that has resumed meeting in person but is forcing you to participate remotely, they are breaking the law. Over the past year, the pandemic undeniably has changed the way citizens […]

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If lawmakers get their way, police video wouldn’t be public record


May 4, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The Gaston Gazette is now reporting on a bill in the state legislature that would categorize police video as a record of a criminal investigation, which means it would not be a public record. Our site previously posted about coverage of […]

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Buncombe County commissioners vote to approve confidentiality agreement in contravention of public records law


May 4, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The Asheville Citizen-Times has reported a decision by four Buncombe county commissioners to sign a nondisclosure agreement as part of efforts to land an employer. The agreement prevents signatories from revealing details about the company’s operations. The Citizen-Times quotes SMVT attorney […]

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Police body-cam video would not be public record under NC bill


April 27, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The News & Observer has reported on a bill proposing changes to the state’s treatment of boy and dash camera records. House Bill 713, which passed 115-2 last week, would restrict public access to the cameras. Under the proposed law, proposed […]

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FBI refuses to release information on “feminine hygiene product” Patrick Cannon used as pretext to accept bribe


April 14, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

WFAE has reported that the FBI has refused to release information about a “feminine hygiene product” former Charlotte mayor Patrick Cannon claimed to want to develop. The product was used as a pretext to accept a bribe from an undercover FBI […]

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Fayetteville police refuse to release police dash cam video of officer-involved shooting


April 10, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The Fayetteville Observer has reported that the Fayetteville police have refused to release a police dashboard camera video that may have captured an officer shooting a man as he fled in 2013. The article discusses the public records law and its […]

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More taxpayer accountability needed for charters


April 9, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The Asheville Citizen-Times writes that charter schools in North Carolina, while intended to be free from some regulation, should be required to open their records to scrutiny from taxpayers. The Citizen-Times quotes SMVT attorney Mike Tadych: Mike Tadych, an attorney […]

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Charlotte lawsuit pits reality TV feud against freedom of speech


April 9, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The Charlotte Observer has reported on a lawsuit between a reality TV show personality and his critics (some of whom are also on television). The article explains that the judge is expected to “ban future Facebook postings attacking” the plaintiff’s military […]

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N.C. law doesn’t require schools run by for-profit firms to account for all taxpayer dollars


April 6, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The Charlotte Observer has reported on the disparity in financial record disclosure between public schools and charter schools run by for-profit firms. The article explains that public school districts must account for every dollar they spend while charter schools operated […]

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FBI shows Patrick Cannon investigation video to public class


April 6, 2015 About SMVT, Legal News

The Charlotte Observer reports that FBI officials showed confidential surveillance videos from their investigation of former Mayor Patrick Cannon to a community workshop. The article says that during the FBI’s annual “citizens academy,” officials showed four pieces of undercover surveillance video to […]

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