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Stein, Freeman legal battle over NC criminal libel law reaches end

The legal battle between North Carolina’s attorney general and Wake County’s district attorney over a 1931 criminal libel law has reached an end. Attorneys for A.G. Josh Stein filed paperwork in federal court Tuesday withdrawing a motion for summary judgment in the case. In a separate document, Stein’s lawyers agreed with lawyers for Wake D.A. Lorrin Freeman that the “case is moot and can appropriately be dismissed.”

CJ Staff
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Stein, Freeman legal battle continues over challenged criminal libel law

Two months after federal appellate judges ruled in favor of N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein in his lawsuit challenging a state criminal libel law, Stein and Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman continue to engage in a legal dispute. In the latest development, Freeman’s attorney filed paperwork Monday objecting to Stein’s March 2 motion in U.S. District Court.

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After 4th Circuit win, Stein asks court to declare N.C. criminal libel law unconstitutional

Almost a month after securing a legal victory at the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein is asking a federal trial court to rule a state criminal libel law unconstitutional. Stein’s lawyers filed a motion Thursday for summary judgment in his lawsuit challenging the criminal libel law.

CJ Staff
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Wake DA closes investigation of Stein in case tied to challenged NC criminal libel law

The potential prosecution of N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein on misdemeanor criminal libel charges linked to the 2020 election campaign is over. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman delivered that news Thursday afternoon.

CJ Staff
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Federal Appeals Court rules in favor of AG Stein in dispute over criminal libel law

A federal Appeals Court has ruled in favor of N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein in his challenge of a state criminal libel law dating back to 1931. The unanimous panel agreed Stein is likely to win his argument that the law is unconstitutional.

CJ Staff

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Stein’s lawyer downplays potential impact of New Hampshire criminal libel ruling

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this month that New Hampshire’s criminal libel law does not violate the First Amendment. But lawyers representing N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein argue that New Hampshire case should not hurt Stein’s criminal libel challenge at the 4th Circuit. Oral arguments in Stein's case are set for Dec. 6.

CJ Staff
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Stein’s latest brief says challenged N.C. election law ‘threatens to chill speech’

N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein argues the state election law he’s challenging in federal court “threatens to chill speech at the heart of our democratic process.” Stein’s lawyers make that argument in their latest filing with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for Dec. 6.

CJ Staff
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Lawyer with more than 100 U.S. Supreme Court arguments to speak for Stein at 4th Circuit

An attorney who has argued more than 100 times before the U.S. Supreme Court will represent N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein in his ongoing fight against a state criminal libel law. A filing Thursday confirms that Michael Dreeben will argue on Stein’s behalf at the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral arguments are scheduled Dec. 6 in Richmond, Virginia.

CJ Staff
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Federal Appeals Court will hear Stein’s case against N.C. criminal libel law on Dec. 6

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on Dec. 6 in N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein’s challenge of a state law against campaign lies. Stein hopes the federal courts will declare the law unconstitutional. A 2-1 ruling from the 4th Circuit on Aug. 23 gave Stein and fellow plaintiffs an injunction against the law. The injunction blocked Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman’s office from pursuing criminal charges against Stein and two colleagues.

CJ Staff
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Wake D.A.’s latest 4th Circuit filing defends N.C. law against campaign lies

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman defends North Carolina’s law against campaign lies. It's the latest round of a legal battle with state Attorney General Josh Stein in the federal courts. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will consider the case as early as Dec. 6.

CJ Staff
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Judge says case for blocking Green Party candidates now moot after NCSBE decision

he final step in the N.C. Green Party's journey to be on the state's 2022 ballots may be in sight, as Judge James Dever, the federal judge overseeing the NCGP's lawsuit against the N.C. State Board of Elections, released an order Monday signaling the case was made "moot" by the NCSBE's decision to certify the Greens as a party.

David Larson
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