Carpenter & Carpenter, PLLC

10/30/2023

Carpenter & Carpenter has a new home!

Our 100 foot journey down South Street is finally complete.

Come see us at-

313 S. South Street
Gastonia, NC 28052

09/03/2021

Meet Duke.

He’s the newest member of Carpenter & Carpenter. His area of expertise is canine law and therapy.

His hobbies include sleeping most of the day, knawing on bones and barking at delivery drivers.

12/11/2020

12/11/2020

Chief Justice Cheri Beasley announced today that North Carolina Courts will postpone non-essential, in-person court proceedings for 30 days, beginning Monday, December 14.

“In light of the recent surge of new COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and in our courts, this pause is necessary to protect the health and safety of our court personnel and the public,” said Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. “Throughout the pandemic, we have moved an unprecedented amount of court work online, including hearings. Those efforts will allow us to limit in-person proceedings for the next few weeks while making sure our courts stay available to serve the public.”

In recent weeks, the number of North Carolina counties categorized as “red” or “orange” by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has more than doubled. More than 80 counties are experiencing substantial or critical community spread of COVID-19. This recent surge in COVID-19 cases, percent positivity, and hospitalizations has strained court operations. Since the onset of the pandemic, Judicial Branch officials and employees have reported 291 confirmed positive cases, and over half of North Carolina's county courthouses have been partially or completely closed due to COVID-19. Eleven of the courthouse closures have occurred in this week alone.

Community spread of COVID-19 is expected to peak through the winter, and it is imperative that court operations remain as limited as possible through the next 30 days. Fortunately, court operations are typically reduced through the end of the calendar year even under normal conditions. With few jury trials scheduled and courts conducting many proceedings remotely, the impact on court dockets should be minimal.

“I am gravely concerned with the recent surge in positive cases, but with this new directive, I am confident that potential exposures will be significantly reduced if we work together to adhere to health and safety guidelines,” said the Chief Justice.

The Chief Justice is expected to enter an order in the coming days to renew existing Emergency Directives and implement the Emergency Directive announced today.

04/04/2020

Chief Justice Beasley Issues Order
Postponing Court Proceedings Until June 1, 2020

Chief Justice Cheri Beasley
RALEIGH – Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued an order on April 2, 2020, containing seven emergency directives. The order:
Postpones court proceedings for a second time to June 1, 2020
Continues to direct clerks of court to post notices, such as the attached poster, at court facilities discouraging entry by those infected with COVID-19
Authorizes court proceedings to be conducted by remote audio and video transmissions
Directs attorneys and others without business before the court to avoid court facilities
Allows use of a sworn statement under penalty of perjury rather than notarization for court filings and oaths
Allows service of court documents by email
Extends the deadline for payment of most fines and fees by 90 days and directs clerks not to report failures to pay court debt to the DMV.
“Judicial officials and court personnel statewide are going above and beyond to serve the public during this health emergency,” said Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. “My number one priority is to protect them and the public by limiting gatherings and foot traffic in our county courthouses, while making sure our courts stay available to serve the public.”
The April 2 order follows Governor Roy Cooper issuance of Executive Order 121 on March 27, 2020, directing all individuals in the state to stay in their place of residence subject to limited exceptions. North Carolina’s courts are a critical government function and are therefore exempt from the Order. Nevertheless, the courts are directed, to the extent practicable, to maintain social distancing requirements, including “facilitating online or remote access by customers if possible.”
With North Carolina’s COVID-19 infections expected to peak in late April, it is imperative that court operations remain as limited as possible through the next two months. Use of telecourt functions for a wider range of hearings will alleviate the growing backlog in the court system and ensure that courts continue protecting constitutional rights and the safety of North Carolina’s most vulnerable people. Efforts to further leverage technology, including through electronic filing and additional online services continue to move forward as well.
The Chief Justice’s order also extends the time for payment for court debts in traffic and criminal cases for 90 days and suspends reporting of failures to pay to the DMV.
“We want people to know that they do not need to come to the courthouse right now to pay a traffic ticket,” said the Chief Justice. “Deadlines for those payments have been extended and licenses will not be suspended until this emergency passes. We want people staying at home and staying safe.”
Traffic tickets and some other fees can still be paid at NCcourts.gov. The public can also sign up there for text reminders for rescheduled court dates.

Providing access to court services and information. Simpler — today and tomorrow.

03/28/2020

https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO121-Stay-at-Home-Order-3.pdf

03/27/2020

The Stay at Home order issued yesterday has no impact on the required exchange of children pursuant to a Child Custody/Visitation Order or Agreement. Exchange of children is essential travel. The order specifically states under the Essential Travel portion(page 11) subsection cc. “Travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement”. Any reliance on this Stay at Home order will not be legal justification to withhold children covered under any custody order or agreement.

I hope all of you are staying safe and well.

John K. Greenlee
Chief District Court Judge
Gaston County/27A




John K. Greenlee
Chief District Court Judge
27A/Gaston County
North Carolina Judicial Branch 704-852-3117
Justice for all
www.NCcourts.org

03/13/2020

To all of our clients and to their families, please read the following directive from our Chief District Court Judge. Please call our office should you have any questions or concerns about your case.


Good Afternoon.

Based on the Emergency Directives issued by Chief Justice Cheri Beasley in response to the Coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic, Gaston County District Courts will be on the following schedule:

Courtroom 3A(criminal)- CLOSED
Courtroom 3B(traffic)- CLOSED
Courtroom 3C(civil/domestic)- CLOSED
Courtroom 3D(juvenile/truancy)- CLOSED
Courtroom 4A(criminal and child support)- CLOSED
Courtroom 2E(domestic and TPR’s)-OPEN to hear limited cases*
Courtroom 2D(DVPOs and Jail 1st Apps)- OPEN on a normal schedule*
Courtroom 2A(magistrate 1st Apps nonjail)- CLOSED
Courtroom 2B(Small Claims)- CLOSED

All cases that are continued shall be scheduled no sooner than April 16, 2020. The district attorneys office will be responsible for rescheduling the criminal/traffic and juvenile delinquency/undisciplined cases. DSS will be responsible for rescheduling child support and Abuse/Neglect/Dependency Cases. Domestic Attorneys or the parties themselves will be responsible for rescheduling domestic matters heard in 3C and 2E. The attorneys or parties can obtain an order continuing the case from a judge so as to avoid having to pay additional fees. The District Court Judges Office will be responsible for continuing civil cases and TPR’s. The assigned magistrates will be responsible for rescheduling magistrate nonjail 1st Apps and Small Claims.

*Courtroom 2D will operate on a normal daily schedule to handle Domestic Violence Protective Orders, No Contact Orders and Jail 1st Appearances by video. Temporarily, 1st Appearances for Defendants with felony charges who have been released from custody will be scheduled for 2PM in 2D.

*Courtroom 2E will operate on a daily basis to handle those matters not heard in 2D. These include, but are not limited to, A/N/D nonsecure custody hearings, juvenile detention hearings, emergency custody hearings, hearings for inmates who wish to enter a plea that will process them out of our jail or are being held for child support and any other matters determined to be an emergency or necessary to preserve the right of due process. Civil commitment hearings will be conducted remotely through electronic means. Marriages will still be conducted by the assigned magistrate. District Court Judges will be available for any emergency matters or to obtain signatures on necessary legal filings and orders.

All proceedings held in District Court will be conducted under conditions that protect the health and safety of all participants. Depending on the progression of the coronavirus this schedule may be modified at a later date if health and safety demands. This memo does not affect any functions under the jurisdiction of the Clerk of Court.

I have endeavored to address all possible issues in this memo. If any have been overlooked or unforeseen circumstances arise I will adapt our procedure to meet those challenges and needs.


John K. Greenlee
Chief District Court Judge
Gaston County/27A

Thank you for your cooperation.

Carpenter & Carpenter PLLC

02/15/2019

“The moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Yesterday, Carpenter & Carpenter, PLLC helped a paramedic secure a “Not Guilty” verdict after being falsely accused of assaulting a patient. She never gave up her fight to clear her name and her reputation. Justice prevailed.

12/10/2018

Gaston County District & Superior Courts are closed on Monday December 10th, 2018.