Feds deny Wake’s magnet grant – News & Observer

RALEIGH — Wake County’s request for $10.3 million in federal money to expand its magnet school program has been rejected by the U.S. Department of Education, adding fuel to the debate about ending the school district’s diversity policy.

North Carolina’s largest school district will not be among those sharing the $100 million in grants expected to be announced today by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, according to Wake school board member John Tedesco. Education officials have been informing members of Congress who represent winning school districts, and Tedesco said his congressional contacts told him no systems in the state won magnet grants this year. (Read more)

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Wake County Public Schools

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Tea Party’s roots lie in backlash against Obama-Will Bunch

–There was no talk of the jobs crisis facing America or governmental solutions, but the throng embraced the TV star’s message that the poor in America don’t have it so bad and that the rally "[has] nothing to do with politics, everything to do with God."– (Read more)

NAACP files complaint against Wake schools – ABC 11

RALEIGH (WTVD) — Flanked by national NAACP president Ben Jealous, the Rev. William Barber announced Saturday the organization has taken legal action against the Wake County Public School System over its decision to end a nationally-recognized socio-economic diversity policy. (Read more)

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Wake County Public Schools

Princeville commissioner suspended – Source: The Daily Southerner

PRINCEVILLE — Following Monday night’s meeting, Ward 1 in Princeville is without representation for three months. (Read more)

Note: Here we go again. It is my opinion that Princeville need some new officers because it appears that these officers will never get along. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

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Princeville NC

Letter: Story of black betrayal has lesson – Source: The Daily Reflector

“If you take it all the way back to slavery, there was never a successful slave revolt because the house Negroes would go and tell the boss man what the field Negroes were planning.” These explosive words were spoken by D’Army Bailey, a former Memphis judge and activist. He continued, “And this is all part of the same pattern. It teaches us a lesson that the more things change, the more they stay the same.” (Read more)

Racist messages pose quandary for mainstream sites – Source: Washington Post

— Although you rarely hear racial insults on Main Street these days, there’s a place where unashamed bigotry is all too easy to find: tossed off in the comments sections of some of the Internet’s most popular websites, today’s virtual Main Street. (Read more)

Note: I can relate to this because I experience it almost daily, racist comments left as if I am going to approve them. LMBAO C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

Summary of NC Law on Expunction of Criminal Records – Source: Rep. Angela Bryant

EXPUNCTION OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

This is a summary of North Carolina law concerning the expunction of criminal records. Expunction is the process by which a record of criminal conviction is removed by order of the court, and the individual is restored to the status he or she occupied before the arrest or indictment.  The terms ‘expunction’ and ‘expungement’ are often used interchangeably, and both appear in the statutes. In very limited circumstances, North Carolina law permits the expunction of certain offenses from a person’s criminal record. There are several requirements that must be met for expunction and each individual can generally be granted only one expungement in his or her lifetime. Any person seeking advice regarding a specific case should contact an attorney of his or her choice for more information.

Expunction When Charges Dismissed/Not Guilty

• Charges Dismissed Or Person Found Not Guilty – G.S. 15A-146 provides for the expunction of records when charges are dismissed or there is a finding of not guilty. A person charged with any crime, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, who is not convicted of that offense, can apply to have the charge expunged.  Persons who have previously received an expungement under this or other specified provisions, or persons who have previously been convicted of a felony would not qualify under this provision.

• Charges Dismissed Or Person Found Not Guilty As A Result Of Identity Fraud – G.S. 15A-147 provides for the expunction of records when a charge is dismissed or there is a finding of not guilty in a case where a person is charged with a crime as a result of someone else using the person’s identifying information to commit an infraction or crime.  When the charge against the person is dismissed, a finding of not guilty is made, or the conviction is set aside, the person can apply to have the charge expunged. There is no limit to the number of times a person who is the victim of identity fraud can qualify for an expungement under this provision.

· Charges Dismissed Or Person Found Not Guilty Of Certain Drug-Related Offenses Committed While Under The Age Of 21 – G.S. 15A-145.2(b) provides for the expunction of records when a person is charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance or possession of less than 1 gram of cocaine, and the charges are subsequently dismissed or there is a finding of not guilty. An order of expunction must be entered if the court determines that the person was not over 21 at the offense for which the person was charged occurred. A similar provision is contained in G.S. 15A-145.3(b) with regard to misdemeanor violations of the Toxic Vapors Act and possession of drug paraphernalia.

· Pardon of Innocence – G.S. 15A-149 provides for the expunction of records when a person has been granted a pardon of innocence by the Governor. 

Expunction When the Offender Was Under a Specified Age at the Time of the Offense

· Juvenile Records – G.S. 7B-3200 provides for a person who has reached the age of 18 to petition for the expunction of records relating to the person’s having been adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined while a minor.  This provision does not allow the expunction of records relating to an offense that would have been a Class A-E felony if committed by an adult. The statute also provides for expunction of juvenile records when a juvenile petition was dismissed without adjudication

· Convictions of Misdemeanor Committed While Under The Age Of 18 – G.S. 15A-145 provides for the expunction of records for first offenders convicted of a misdemeanor committed while under the age of 18.  A person who is convicted of a misdemeanor committed prior to reaching the age of 18 may have that conviction expunged after 2 years, assuming there have been no other convictions within that time period.

· Misdemeanor Possession Of Alcohol Committed While Under the Age of 21 – G.S. 15A-145 also provides for the expunction of records for first offenders convicted of misdemeanor possession of alcohol who were under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed. A person who is convicted of misdemeanor possession of alcohol committed while under the age of 21 may have that conviction expunged after 2 years, assuming there have been no other convictions in that time period.

· Misdemeanor Cyberbullying Committed While Under the Age of 18 – G.S. 14-458.1(c) provides for the conditional discharge and dismissal of a misdemeanor cyberbullying offense committed while under the age of 18 and provides that expunction may be obtained pursuant to G.S. 15A-146. (See Charges Dismissed or Person Found Not Guilty above)

· Certain Gang Offenses Committed While Under the Age of 18 – G.S. 15A-145.1 provides for the expunction of records for first offenders who are either (i) convicted of, or (ii) discharged and dismissed, for certain gang offenses, when the offense was committed while the offender was under the age of 18.  A person who is convicted of, or discharged and dismissed for, one of these offenses committed while under the age of 18 may have that conviction expunged after 2 years, assuming there have been no other convictions in that time period.

Expunction Of Other Types of Convictions

· Conditional Discharge And Expunction For First-time Drug Offenders – G.S. 15A-145.2(a) and G.S. 15A-145.3(a) authorize the expunction of records for offenses discharged and dismissed pursuant to G.S. 90-96(a) or (a1) or G.S. 90-113.14(a) or (a1). These conditional discharges and dismissals are for first offenders who were under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed, and who have not previously been convicted of any offense under North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Act, Toxic Vapors Act, or Drug Paraphernalia Act, or under corresponding federal law or the laws of another state. When such person pleads guilty to or is found guilty of misdemeanor drug possession, possession of less than one gram of cocaine, possessing drug paraphernalia, or inhaling or possessing any substance having the property of releasing toxic vapors or fumes, the court may, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of such person, defer further proceedings and place the offender on probation under certain conditions.  Discharge and dismissal under this provision may occur only once with respect to any person.

· Cancellation and Expunction for First-time Drug Offenders – G.S. 15A-145.2(c) and G.S. 15A-145.3(c) apply to first offenders who were under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed, and who have not previously been convicted of any offense under North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Act, Toxic Vapors Act, or Drug Paraphernalia Act, or under corresponding federal law or the laws of another state.  No sooner than 12 months after conviction, the person may apply to the court  to have a conviction of misdemeanor drug possession, possession of less than one gram of cocaine, possessing drug paraphernalia, or inhaling or possessing any substance having the property of releasing toxic vapors or fumes, cancelled and records of that conviction expunged.  Cancellation and expunction under this provision may occur only once with respect to any person.

· Misdemeanor Larceny – G.S. 15A-145(d1) provides for the expunction of a misdemeanor conviction of misdemeanor larceny pursuant to G.S. 14-72(a) if the person has no felony convictions, it has been at least 15 years since the conviction for misdemeanor larceny, and the person has had no felony or misdemeanor convictions during that 15 year period.