Raleigh Passes New Laws
Posted by Teresa Pollock on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 7:06pm.
You may be surprised to learn that Raleigh legislators passed whopping 577 new laws this year, a number of these have gone inito effect December 1,2009. While some of the laws won't affect many of Raleigh's residents, several of them will have a direct impact on the majority of the area's residents. Here are a few of the laws that you should be aware of if you live in Raleigh or plan on visiting the area:
- Automated cameras and videos may be used to prosecute drivers who pass a stopped school bus.
- New penalties have been put into place for drivers who pass a stopped school bus and hit and kill someone.
- Texting while driving is a misdemeanor that may also result in a $100 fine.
- License plate frames cannot cover the registration sticker or the state name on the license plate. Warnings will be issue over the next year, but violators will be fined the following year.
- It is a misdemeanor to vandalize, deface or steal a port-potty or the trucks that pump them.
- School board members can face misdemeanor charges if they willfully refuse or neglect to do their jobs
- Unsafely exposing someone to a crocodile, venomous reptile or constricting snake is now a misdemeanor.
- It is now considered to be a crime to release a non-native species of animal into the wild.
- Police officers can search people who are on probation without first obtaining a warrant.
- Probation officers can access juvenile court records that are restricted from public view.
- It is now a misdemeanor to use the Internet to torment or intimidate a minor or the parent or guardian of a child. This includes actions such as harassing the child via e-mail, signing the minor up with a pornographic Website and posting real or altered photos of the child on the Internet.
- It is now illegal to possess, manufacture or sell salvia divinorum, which is a mint-like herb that possesses hallucinogenic properties. The first two incidences will be considered to be infractions, while the third will be a misdemeanor. It should be noted that it is still legal to grow and to harvest the plant for decorating or landscaping purposes.
Remember, ignorance of the laws is no excuse for breaking them. So, it is important for you to make certain you are up-to-date on the latest changes so you can be sure you don't find yourself in legal trouble.
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Share4 Responses to "Raleigh Passes New Laws"
The temptation is to laugh... but some of these were really needed? Scary... like your post, come by if you can for a visit at Charlotte Real Estate Homes and Condos
my favorite: Unsafely exposing someone to a crocodile, venomous reptile or constricting snake is now a misdemeanor. OMG its illegal.
Posted on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 7:44 PM.
Wow. This makes you wonder if they have any spare time to actually develop new laws that are actually needed on a daily basis!
Posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 9:12 PM.
I am so glad that your community is getting serious about school bus safety. I put myself through school as a school bus driver and you would not believe how dangerous it can be for those kids. I saw too many close calls, mainly from drivers trying to go around the bus because they were in a hurry, or even worse, some drivers didn't even notice the big red lights flashing and the stop sign.
Posted on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 3:03 PM.
Ouch, that's a lot of legislation in a year. Just think if they pass that many laws each year, eventually everything is going to be against the law! I think the school bus camera law is a great one, could save a kids life one day. :)
Posted on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 3:16 PM.