By: Sarah Bennett While I have been known to waste my time with even some of Bravo’s most questionable programming (I’m looking at you, Relationshep), on Monday nights, I really live for Vanderpump Rules (“VPR” for all the insiders). Last week, Bravo aired the 101st episode of VPR: “Sex, Lies and Audiotape.” The gist of the episode was that our anti-hero, Jax, recently confessed to his girlfriend, Brittany, that he slept with Faith, another co-worker. While Jax contends that his episode of unfaithfulness (pun intended) was a one-time slip-up and that he truly loves Brittany, Faith claims otherwise. In fact, Faith shares with the rest of their friends that she possesses an audio recording of Jax stating that he’s no longer sexually attracted to Brittany and that he never intends to marry her (Jax and Brittany’s path towards the altar – and Brittany’s desire to expedite that journey – is a major topic on both VPR and its spin-off, Vanderpump Rules: Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky, which I have also shamelessly watched).
If you are still reading this post, you may be wondering what my personal interest in the questionably authentic relationships of servers at a Southern Californian restaurant has to do with family law in North Carolina. The answer: wiretapping laws! Just about weekly, Chris or I consult with a client who wants to know whether a secret recording he or she made of their spouse (or some other individual) can be used in court. As with many questions about family law, the answer is, “it depends.” For purposes of state wiretapping laws, North Carolina is a one-party consent state. What that means, generally, is that it does not violate state law for you to record an in-person or telephone conversation between yourself and another person (so long as everybody is in North Carolina when the recording is made). On the other hand, it would violate our state’s laws for you to secretly record a conversation between your spouse and a third person when neither your spouse nor that third person know that they are being recorded. So let’s think about it in terms of VPR: Faith, unbeknownst to Jax, recorded a private conversation between Jax and herself. If this had all occurred in North Carolina, Faith would face no state criminal or civil liability and the court would likely admit the recording as evidence if Faith and Jax were later involved in a lawsuit. However, let’s imagine if the situation were a little different; for instance, let’s say that Brittany, suspicious that Jax may be cheating, wanted to know what Faith and Jax were saying and doing behind Brittany’s back. So, Brittany decided to “bug” Jax for the purpose of secretly recording Faith and Jax’s private conversations without either Jax or Faith knowing about the recording or giving Brittany permission to do so. If all of these actions occurred in North Carolina, this would be problematic for Brittany – not only would Brittany’s recording be inadmissible in any kind of legal proceeding, but she could also be facing civil liability or even felony wiretapping charges. This “bugging” hypothetical is akin to when a person secretly records their spouse’s conversation with a possible paramour or a child. Absent one of the recorded parties giving their consent to the recording, generally, this is not permissible in North Carolina (there is, however, a good faith exception known as vicarious consent in certain circumstances when one is recording a child). While I am not admitted to practice law in California, a cursory Google searched revealed that California, where VPR is filmed, is a two-party consent state. That means that in California and any of the other eleven two-party consent states, a person who wants to record a conversation needs the permission of all parties to the conversation prior to making the recording. I would imagine this could potentially mean legal trouble for Faith if she did not let Jax know that she was recording him; this might also provide some insight into why Bravo opted not to air the contents of the actual recording, but instead filmed the Bravolebrities’ reactions to hearing the recording. Returning to the law in our state, there are some additional exceptions to North Carolina wiretapping laws. For instance, cameras can be used in public places (such as streets, hotel lobbies, parks, etc.) to record the area. This is not considered illegal wiretapping because an individual has no reasonable expectation of privacy in these public areas. Obviously, this does not apply to “upskirt” cameras or other criminal recording methods – but there can be another blog post (and probably another reality TV show) in which we can examine those issues. Outside of the family law context, there are additional, legitimate scenarios where one may want to record a conversation, such as a performance review at work or an encounter with a police officer. Clearly, the laws in North Carolina regarding wiretapping are complicated. I strongly suggest that anybody thinking of making an audio or video recording read the governing North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. § 15A-287) and consult an experienced attorney for advice on the issue. In the meantime, happy reality television-watching!
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Below is the process of filing for a restraining order also known as a Domestic Violence Protective Order or a Civil No-Contact Order.
1. Go to the courthouse: Go to the office of the clerk of civil court or the magistrate’s office. Tell them you need to file for a restraining order, protective order, DVPO or Civil No-Contact Order. They should make sure you get the forms you need. 2. Fill out the complaint in detail: (Do not sign it until you are before a notary or clerk of court) Just remember: you are the plaintiff and the abuser is the defendant. When filing out the paperwork be sure to provide a brief but complete summary of the most recent abuse you have suffered make sure to use specifics and details. Provide the dates that the incident(s) occurred. The key is to give a clear picture of the abuse to the judge who will decide your case. You also want the judge to know what relief you are seeking. 3. Fill out the summons: In addition to being served the complaint, your abuser will need to be served summons to appear in court. Try to include the abuser’s name, address and other contact information in the paperwork, if known. The sheriff’s office will serve the complaint and summons on the abuser. The sheriff’s office also will serve the notice of hearing and a copy of the temporary protective order. You can help the sheriff’s office by filling out a form that identifies your abuser. This identification can include: (Physical characteristics (height, weight, hair color, eye color),Driver’s license number, Social Security number, and/or Employment address) You will also need to list your name and a safe mailing address and phone number. Because the sheriff serves the abuser, you do not need to have contact with him/her. If the sheriff’s office cannot serve your abuser on time, your hearing will be rescheduled. 4. Seek a temporary protective order: At the time you fill out the complaint and summons, you can also seek an ex parte/temporary protective order. This means that the abuser does not need to be present for a hearing. You can request it by checking a box on your complaint form. Then you go before a judge and explain why you or your children are in immediate danger and why this order is needed. This is an emergency order. Once it is granted, it takes effect immediately and typically lasts 10 days (which just the right amount of time for you to pursue a permanent order). Keep this order with you at all times. Leave copies with your employer, your child’s school or daycare, and everywhere else you or your children can be found during a typical day. 5. Attend the hearing: When you file the complaint/summons, you will be given a date and time for the hearing on your order. Your abuser will receive a notice of the hearing with this information. You must attend the hearing. Your abuser has a right to attend as well. If the abuser does not attend, the court may proceed or elect to reschedule the hearing. You should have an attorney representing you at this hearing. At the hearing, you will need to show the court that the abuser has committed an act of domestic violence, stalking or nonconsensual sexual conduct. If the court finds that this has occurred, the court must grant the order If you are in need of representation for your hearing, Adkins Law can help you. Christopher Adkins and Sarah Bennett are attorney's in the Lake Norman area that specialize in Family Law and can help you. Call our office today to set up a consultation with one of our attorney's. Business North Carolina magazine has honored lawyers since 2002 by publishing Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite. This is a listing of the state’s top lawyers in different categories. Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite has become the model for other awards and lists, but it remains unique as the only award that gives every active lawyer in the state the opportunity to participate. Each year, Business North Carolina magazine sends out ballot notices to every member of the N.C. State Bar living in North Carolina — asking each a simple question:
"Of the Tar Heel lawyers whose work you have observed firsthand, whom would you rate among the current best in these categories?" Voters are not allowed to vote for themselves. The top vote-getter in each category becomes a member of Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame. Attorney Christopher Adkins and Attorney Sarah Bennett were awarded the 2018 Young Guns award from Legal Elite. Mr. Adkins and Ms.Bennett were among the top 3% of lawyers in North Carolina to be awarded into the Legal Elites Hall of Fame. Join us in congratulating them on this award. We are so excited for them and are so lucky to have them as our lawyers serving the Lake Norman and Huntersville area specializing in Estate Planning, Family Law, and Traffic. Happy New Years from your Friends at Adkins Law located in Huntersville, NC. We are attorneys in the Lake Norman area that specialize in Estate Planning, Family Law, and Traffic/ DWI. Call is today to schedule a consultation. Cheers to 2018!
We wish you a Happy Holidays! Adkins Law located in Huntersville NC is proud to offer services in Estate Planning, Traffic, and Family Law. Call us at 704-274-5677 to set up a consultation.
The health care power of attorney is a document that works in conjunction with a living will. It is a document where you can designate someone to be your representative, in the event you are unable to communicate your decisions about your health care. In the most basic form, a health care power of attorney says, "I want this person to make decisions about my health care if I am unable to do so."
This needs to be a person that you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot make them for yourself. Most people choose their spouse, partner, relative, or close friend as their health care agent. North Carolina requires that your health care agent be (i) at least 18 years of age, and (ii) not being compensated for providing you health care. Choosing this person is an important decision, and you should think carefully about who you want to assume this responsibility. This person may eventually be deciding whether or not life support will be in your best interests. If you are in need of appointing someone as your healthcare power of attorney, Adkins Law may be able to help. Call today to set up a FREE Estate Planning consultation in our Huntersville office. Check out this beautiful aerial footage of Northcross, Birkdale, Downtown, and the Northstone neighborhood in Huntersville NC! Need to discuss your estate planning needs? Contact Adkins Law to arrange a consultation with a wills and trusts lawyer!
If you need to arrange a consultation with an estate planning attorney, contact Adkins Law or call (704) 274-5677.
Domestic violence is attempting to cause or intentionally causing bodily injury or placing the victim in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Continued harassment can constitute domestic violence if it causes substantial emotional distress. There needs to be a current or former relationship between the victim and abuser such as spouses, parent / child, household members, or boyfriend / girlfriend.
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