North Carolina lawmakers are easing up on misdemeanors sentences while cracking down on child abuse.

The move is expected to save over $2 million thanks to legislation that allows offenders charged with low-level offenses to pay a maximum fine of $200 and avoid facing jail time and having to use court appointed attorneys.

The new misdemeanor laws went into effect on Dec. 1. In North Carolina, misdemeanors can be classified as class one, two or three, with three being the least severe offense. However, most class two offenses will now be considered class three offenses and can be dealt with by paying a fine.

The UNC School of Government Blog called North Carolina Criminal Law provides a list of class three misdemeanor offenses that could previously be class two misdemeanors.

Class 3 Misdemeanors

• Obtaining property by worthless check.

• Simple worthless check.

• Failure to return rental property.

• Failure to return rental property with purchase option.

• Driving while license revoked.

• Failure to notify DMV of address change.

• Failure to obtain driver’s license before driving motor vehicle.

• Failure to comply with driver’s license restrictions.

• Permitting person’s motor vehicle to be operated by unlicensed person.

• Driving vehicle on highway, or knowingly permit person’s vehicle to be driven on highway, when vehicle is not registered with DMV or does not display current registration plate.

• Display, possess, etc. a registration card, title certificate, or registration plate knowing it to be fictitious or to have been canceled, revoked, etc., or willfully display expired license or registration plate on vehicle knowing it to be expired.

• Applying tinting to vehicle’s window that does not meet window tinting restrictions

• Driving a vehicle on a highway or public vehicular area that has window not meeting window tinting restrictions.

• Speeding either more than 15 mph or more than speed limit or over 80 mph.

• Registered motor vehicle owner operating or permitting vehicle to be operated without insurance

After passing the new laws on Dec 1., the following misdemeanors are now infractions.

Infractions

• Failing to possess valid license while driving motor vehicle.

• Operating motor vehicle with expired license.

• Failing to notify DMV of address change for driver’s license.

• Violation of rule governing navigational lighting adopted by Wildlife Resources Commission.

• Violations concerning skin and scuba divers.

• Vessel livery that fails to provide basic safety instruction.

• No-wake speed violation.

• Failing to carry registration card in vehicle.

• Failing to sign vehicle registration card.

• Failing to notify DMV of address change for vehicle registration card

• Fishing without a license

The main focal point for lawmakers during the 2013-2014 General Assembly was addressing child abuse. Child abuse offenses can now bring 15 to 33 years in prison thanks to Kilah’s law, a law named after Kilah Davenport of Charlotte who was nearly beaten to death by her father.

Two more laws that punish child abusers include Caylee’s Law and Lilly’s Law. Caylee Anthony is a Florida girl who went missing in 2008 only to be found dead later. Lillian Broom of Alamance County was murdered in 2008.

All three laws are an attempt by lawmakers to put an end to the problem of child abuse in North Carolina by enforcing stiffer sentences. More than 134,000 cases of child abuse were reported to social service agencies between 2011 and 2012.

Overall the General Assembly is seeking to reform the court system in North Carolina by making it more efficient.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.

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