Magistrates want mo’ problems. Actually, just mo’ money. By statute, magistrates are supposed to be paid according to a step system, with specific salaries attached to particular lengths of service as prescribed in G.S. 7A-171.1. For several years, though, magistrates have been “frozen” and not allowed to move to higher steps. Now a group of 40 magistrates has sued over the freeze and is seeking class action status. The News and Observer story is here. Chief Justice Parkers hears final cases. Though her retirement is still a few months away, Chief Justice Parker recently participated in the final oral arguments of her tenure. WRAL notes the moment, and the Chief’s gracious remarks, here. “Another move afoot to put SBI under Governor’s control.” So reads the headline of this News and Observer article, which suggests that the budget process could be used to place the SBI within the Department of Public Safety, which answers to the Governor, rather than under the independently-elected Attorney General. The idea has been discussed several times in recent years, but with the Attorney General looking increasingly like a gubernatorial candidate, the political implications of the possible move are garnering more attention. Prosecutors earn less than courthouse custodians. At least new prosecutors in Massachusetts do, according to a report by the state’s bar association. Above the Law summarizes the story here. As it happens, new prosecutor salaries in North Carolina are pretty much on par with those in Massachusetts, though I would guess that custodians probably make less [...]
Faculty Coordinators
