News Roundup

Published for NC Criminal Law on April 18, 2019.

This week federal prosecutors announced that they have charged 60 people, including 31 doctors, pharmacists, and medical professionals, with various offenses arising from an investigation into illegal opioid distribution and health care fraud.  Last year the Justice Department formed the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force and dispatched experienced health care fraud attorneys to several federal districts across the country to build cases against “medical professionals [who] behave like drug dealers.”  The charges were brought in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia.  Additional arrests are expected to arise from the investigation. The News Roundup comes a day early this week as the School is closed tomorrow for a holiday, we’ll be back to blogging on Monday.  Keep reading for more news. Pretrial Risk Assessment Webinar.  On May 24 the School of Government is hosting a free webinar discussing pretrial risk assessment tools and bail reform.  Jessica Smith is moderating the event and it is open to all judicial system stakeholders.  Register here and take a look at the official description right here: In North Carolina and around the nation, criminal justice stakeholders are debating what role, if any, pretrial risk assessment tools can or should play in bail reform efforts. In this free Webinar, guest presenter Dr. Sarah L. Desmarais will explain what pretrial risk assessment tools are and the research on their effectiveness. She also will discuss common objections to their use, including concerns about racial bias, and common implementation problems. With Jessica Smith as moderator, Sarah will take [...]