Court: Career criminal won't get less prison time
Legal News Center
The Supreme Court says a career criminal cannot get his sentence reduced because of a change in drug-crime penalties in North Carolina.
The high court on Monday turned away an appeal by Clifton McNeill, who pleaded guilty to gun and drug possession in 2008.
Lower courts increased his sentence under the Armed Career Criminal Act since he had previous drug and robbery convictions. But McNeill argued that his cocaine possession and intent to sell sentences shouldn't count because North Carolina had reduced the penalty for drug crimes since his conviction.
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that those crimes still counted, since they were committed before the penalties were reduced.
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Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?
IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.
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Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.