Whether defendant's due process rights were violated when the trial court determined that she was voluntarily absent from the proceedings without first conducting a competency hearing.

Whether hands and arms can serve as a deadly weapon for purposes of the felony-murder rule; Whether the trial court's erroneous instruction that a garden hoe could serve as a deadly weapon for purposes of the felony-murder rule constituted prejudicial error.

Whether the admission of improper vouching testimony by a DSS investigator was plain error in a child sexual assault prosecution.

Whether the trial court erred in certifying a feepayer class and a refund class pursuant to a motion filed by plaintiffs to certify classes and subclasses under Rule 23 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.

Rule 12(b)(6); Rule 56; convert; matters outside the pleadings

Authority and roles of Attorney General; private settlement agreements; State treasury; authority over funds by executive officers; deposit and holding of State funds; NCGS 147-76.

Adjudication and disposition hearing; parental rights; care, custody and control; corporeal punishment; abuse and neglect; hearsay; lack of witness; other siblings neglected; denial of visitation and contact.

findings required to cease reunification efforts in a juvenile proceeding, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-911, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-906.2

Adjudication of dependency; Adequacy of findings of fact; Notice of Appeal; Post-Petition evidence of paternity

Negligent hiring, supervision, or retention; Ordinary common law negligence; Election of theory of the action; Jury instructions

motion to compel depositions; Rule 30; protective order; summary judgment

judgment notwithstanding the verdict; reformation of deed; mutual mistake; negligence; motion in limine; exclusion of evidence

equitable distribution, account, passive increase, contempt order, civil contempt, purge, purge condition, sanctions, frivolous filings, attorneys? fees

Appeal from Department of Commerce Decisions under Chapter 96; Independent Contractor Status

interlocutory jurisdiction; change of venue

permanent custody, visitation, required findings, fit and proper person

motion to dismiss, jury instructions, felony speeding to elude arrest

Motion to Dismiss; Indecent Liberties with a Child; Statements for Medical Diagnosis or Treatment; Expert Witness Testimony; First Degree Kidnapping; Jury Instructions; Sexual Offense with a Child Prior Bad Acts; Cross Examination.

aggravating factors; notice; waiver; plea agreement