Whether substitution of an alternate juror during guilt deliberations in a criminal trial violates a defendant's constitutional right to a jury of twelve.

Whether defendant satisfied the prejudice prong for plain error where a law enforcement officer testifying as a lay witness gave his opinion regarding defendant's intent at the time of an accident.

Whether the Court of Appeals' majority erred in holding that the trial court did not commit structural error in denying defendant's court-appointed counsel's motion to withdraw for defendant to hire counsel of his own choosing.

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in reversing the superior court's order in which it determined that petitioners are entitled to receive adoption assistance benefits several years after the adoption was finalized.

Service units; equivalent residential unit (ERU); statutory interpretation; System Development Fees; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 162A-200.

Summary Judgment; Private Nuisance; Easement; Declaratory Judgment; Injunctive Relief; Sanctions; Real Property

comtempt; purge

Default judgment; entry of default; set aside; Rule 60(b)(4); Void; Rule 12; Service of Process; Personal Jurisdiction; Rule 4; Process Server; Sheriff; Equitable estoppel; Waiver; Competent Evidence; Abuse of Discretion.

Summary Judgement, Adverse Possession, Permissive Use, Hostile Use, Continuous Use, Trespass, Rule 34 Sanctions.

Acknowledged paternity; pretermitted heir

Termination of parental rights; child-support payments; willful abandonment; N.C.G.S. § 7B-1111.

Juvenile Code; disposition; permanency planning; evidentiary standards; oral testimony

termination of parental rights; TPR; neglect; dependency, willful failure to correct removal conditions; permanent plan; reunification; DSS; arrest; drugs; substance abuse; housing; treatment; probation; case plan; inadequate progress; abuse of discretion; de novo; unchallenged findings of fact; likelihood of future neglect; best interests.

neglected juveniles; waiver of appellate review; post-petition evidence; mental illness

termination of parental rights; TPR; closing argument; preservation; Rule 2; DSS; neglect; domestic violence; substance abuse; custody; reunification; constitutional argument; failure to object; proper hearing.

Termination of parental rights; Permanency Planning Hearing; Ceasing reunification efforts;Waiver/Forfeiture of right to counsel; NC Gen Stat 7B-906.2(d); Mandated findings

Child abuse, neglect, and/or dependency; clear-and-convincing evidence standard; A/N/D disposition.

Responsible Individuals List; findings of fact; adjudication order