The federal government entered a partial shutdown this week. The shutdown has had sweeping effects, including disruptions to law enforcement and judicial proceedings. The Justice Department announced that while federal prosecutors and criminal investigations will continue, civil cases and some immigration court proceedings will be delayed. The shutdown also affects funding for federal law enforcement training and grants to local police departments. President Trump has demanded sweeping immigration and border security measures in exchange for signing a funding bill, while House Republicans remain divided over spending priorities. If the impasse continues, furloughs could hit FBI analysts, ATF inspections, and U.S. Marshals’ prisoner transport operations, potentially causing further delays in prosecutions and court schedules nationwide. Read on for more criminal law news. New NC laws take effect October 1. Several laws took effect this week, including SL 2025-85, which requires sheriffs and judicial officials to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities. The law mandates that sheriffs and judicial officials attempt to determine the immigration status of anyone arrested and charged with certain offenses and hold individuals with ICE detainers for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release. Another measure, SL 2025-70, revises the state’s Public Safety Act, making it easier for domestic violence victims to obtain restraining orders across state lines, increasing penalties for fentanyl sales, and clarifying liability for religious organizations in sexual abuse cases. Additionally, the use of electronic-speed measuring systems to enforce school zone speed limits is now authorized. NC Court revives challenge to Giglio law. The [...]
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