Criminal justice reform Coverage

'We don't have enough people to get the work done:' Rural courts struggle with long wait times, lack of resources

Some people describe days of sitting on the bench waiting for their day in court. They often take days off work and arrange childcare to attend court. Many times, they are sent home with a new court date.

Heidi Kirk, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

NC district attorneys seek tweaks to juvenile justice law

With violent crimes on the rise among younger and younger children, the state conference of DAs wants lawmakers to consider revisiting recent changes to juvenile justice laws in this year's legislative session.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

'Make sure everybody succeeds': Cooper signs prison reentry order alongside NFL hall of famer

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, noted the bipartisan support for criminal justice reform that has arisen in the past few years, at the state legislature as well as in Washington, D.C.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Roy Cooper issues four pardons, commutes one man's prison sentence

A decorated soldier and drug dealer turned medical researcher are among the ex-felons North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper pardoned. He also commuted the sentence of man who had spent 26 years in prison for his involvement in a deadly robbery as a teenager.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Simulation shows struggles people face when rejoining society after incarceration

The transition from jail or prison back into society is a difficult but important one, both for the previously incarcerated and for their neighbors, friends, family and future employers.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

NC bill could make it harder to exonerate innocent prisoners

Opponents say the existing system works fine and doesn't need to be changed. The bill's lead sponsor says prosecutors are being treated unfairly under the current system.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Advocates fear reversal on racial justice reforms at North Carolina Supreme Court

Until recently, North Carolina judges ignored a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed for convictions to be overturned for racial bias in jury selection. Opponents of capital punishment worry the GOP-controlled state Supreme Court is backtracking.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Free clinic will help clear your criminal record

The Cumberland County District Attorney's Office is offering a program to help people with minor criminal infractions clear their records.

Authorities question how SC man was able to post bond with lengthy criminal record

Emmanuel Godbolt, 36, is facing charges after authorities said he stole a sheriff's vehicle and sped across state lines. Godbolt has been charged nearly 75 times in the course of his life, and every time has been bonded out, according to public records.

Solicitors question why man accused of stealing SC deputy's vehicle, speeding across state lines keeps bonding out of jail

A South Carolina man who authorities say stole a sheriff's deputy cruiser and led deputies on a chase across the North Carolina-South Carolina border has a lengthy criminal record.

Ale Espinosa, WMBF News

Gov. grants clemency for Fayetteville teen charged with murder

Anthony Willis, from Fayetteville, was only 16 when investigators accused him of killing shopkeeper Benjamin Miller in 1996. Since his sentence in the 90s, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that life in prison for a teenager is considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Fayetteville man granted clemency after charged with murder when he was a teen

Anthony Willis, from Fayetteville, was only 16 when investigators accused him of killing shopkeeper Benjamin Miller in 1996. Since his sentence in the 90s, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that life in prison for a teenager is considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Alamance County farm's rural justice program named among country's most innovative

Benevolence Farm in Graham was selected as one of nine U.S. Innovation Sites by the Rural Justice Collaborative Advisory Council.

Fact check: Are 1 in 13 Black Americans deprived of voting rights?

Gary Chambers, a Louisiana Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, sets fire to a Confederate flag in a campaign video as he cites statistics about racial injustice, saying: "1 in 13 Black Americans are deprived of the right to vote." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporter

Passionate discussion on criminal justice reform unfolds in Wake County

A passionate discussion unfolded on criminal justice reform in Wake County on Thursday night.

Lena Tillett, WRAL anchor/reporter

Emancipate NC holds discussion on criminal justice reform

A passionate discussion unfolded on criminal justice reform in Wake County on Thursday night.

Governor signs anti-shackling bill, help for incarcerated pregnant women, into law

Th bill also requires good nutrition for pregnant women who are locked up and new protections for all women in custody.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Policing reform advocates say new laws just a step, more needs to be done

Gov. Roy Cooper signed a slate of policing reforms into law Thursday, creating a new duty for officers to intervene if they see another officer using excessive force.

Governor signs police reforms into law

Broad reforms, backed by law enforcement, don't go as far as advocates wanted, but the changes are significant.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Cooper vetoes pistol permit repeal, bill to help hotel owners

Governor signs into law bill that will keep 6- and 7-year-olds out of juvenile court in North Carolina.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC legislature approves raft of criminal justice reforms

Multiple police reforms and an increase in the age threshold for juvenile prosecution are on the way to the governor.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Bill moving to help hundreds of thousands get their driver's licenses back. But there's a catch

Making it easier for people whose unpaid traffic fines snowballed into long-term suspensions could have a big impact.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC House advances police reform, bodycam video access bill

A significant criminal justice reform bill nears completion.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC House votes to keep 6-, 7-year-olds out of court system

Despite widespread backing for the bill, Republican members turn back calls to go further.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Body camera reforms dropped from NC policing legislation

After a language shift late Tuesday, House members jettison body camera reforms entirely. The next steps remain unclear.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter