Administrative Office of the Courts
Criminal case “extract” data used to be free. Now it costs hundreds a month. Journalists are calling on the AOC to reinstate the old policy.
Reporters and editors from four news outlets signed onto a letter with the NC Open Government Coalition calling on the Administrative Office of the Courts to return to publishing a criminal case dataset for free that officials now charge money for. Clerks in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties enter dozens of data points into […]
NC courts expand in-person proceedings, but online options may not be going anywhere
As with many other public and private institutions, the North Carolina court system is slowly but surely reopening to more in-person proceedings as COVID-19 infection and death rates continue to trend downward. It could, however, be a very long time before things return to "normal." Indeed, if recently introduced legislation and the assessments of some experts end up holding sway, online proceedings could become a permanent part of state judicial proceedings.
AOC Director Andrew Heath kept his special judgeship and received an unprecedented pay raise. But is he really doing two jobs?
On his first day as director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, Andrew Heath got a pay raise of more than $12,000. While the salary hike might be expected for a directorship, Heath's case is different. He had a benefit most state and private-sector workers don't have: his choice of salaries.
Chief Justice Newby issues new directive order that will allow more in-person court activities
Despite acknowledging the seriousness of the pandemic, new state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby allowed several measures restricting in-person court operations statewide to expire today. Newby said such matters are “best addressed by local judicial officials,” in a new emergency directive order. The new order replaces the one issued by his predecessor Cheri Beasley […]
New Administrative Office of Courts director replaced top employees with Republican loyalists on his first day
Five employees asked to resign with just a few hours' notice Last Friday, within hours of being appointed by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby as the head of a key judicial office, Andrew Heath began purging it of some career employees. As new Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) director, Heath forced top senior employees to resign with only a few hours' notice and replaced them with Republican loyalists, including the daughter of a conservative appellate judge.
Former McCrory staffer and appointee Andrew Heath becomes director of Administrative Office of the Courts
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby appointed Andrew T. Heath to lead the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts, according to a North Carolina Judicial Branch press release today. Heath served as a superior court judge with statewide jurisdiction, where he heard both civil and criminal cases. He replaces McKinley Wooten Jr., who was appointed […]
Courts issue new COVID-19 guidance as NC cases continue to grow
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts issued new guidance Sunday night in the wake of the spread of COVID-19, which includes postponing foreclosures, small claims hearings and evictions. In a memo released Sunday, North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley asked judicial officials to drastically reduce operations in courthouses throughout the state. The memo […]
Most NC district, superior court cases to be postponed at least 30 days in COVID-19 response
?? North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley announced a “thoughtful, bold and innovative” response Friday to combating the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, in crowded court houses: local courts will postpone most cases in district and superior court for at least 30 days with limited exceptions. “Our state courts […]
NC Chief Justice appoints interim AOC director to permanent leadership
North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley has appointed McKinley Wooten Jr. to permanently take the helm at the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). He is the state’s first African-American to serve as the director of the AOC. Wooten, a native of Kinston, has served as the interim director of the agency since […]
Chief Justice convenes Judicial Council, sets focus on staffing, specialty courts and pre-trial practices
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley reconvened the North Carolina State Judicial Council this week for the first time in five years. The group, which is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Robin Hudson, consists of representatives from every component of the court system, members of the judicial bar, and the public. Beasley charged members with helping to […]
Head of AOC will leave for same law school as Chief Justice Martin
North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Executive Director Marion Warren will follow state Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin later this month to Regent University School of Law, a Christian school in Virginia Beach, Va. It was announced today that Warren will become the school’s senior associate dean. It was announced a couple weeks […]
ICYMI: Chief Justice Mark Martin leaving Supreme Court to lead Christian law school
The news has already made the rounds, but for those who missed it, the North Carolina Supreme Court could soon become a 6-1 Democratic majority. Chief Justice Mark Martin announced Friday that he would resign at the end of February to become dean of Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Va. “It has been […]