NC Lawyers Fight Federal Rule on Prosecutor Misconduct

0:00It's March 27. Durham News Today starts now. AI-powered and ready. A group of North Carolina lawyers is pushing back against the proposed federal rule that could let US Attorney General Pam Bondi step in and block. State bar investigations into misconduct by federal prosecutors. For 26 years, the North Carolina State bar and the Department of Justice have run parallel probes into complaints against government. Attorneys. This change would force the State bar to wait for the Justice Department to decide first. The rule aims to stop what the Justice Department calls abusive complaint processes by critics targeting federal lawyers on unpopular cases. If the department declines to investigate or finds violations, the State bar could proceed and potentially revoke licenses. But it's unclear what happens if federal officials clear the attorneys, leaving gaps in oversight. North Carolina attorneys say this undermines equal ethical standards for all lawyers in the State

1:00and erodes public trust in the justice system. Groups like the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers and Defense Organizations nationwide argue it lets the Justice Department police itself. Without independent checks, other states have seen similar complaints like those against prosecutors in New York, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. over issues from indictments to journalist searches. In North Carolina, immigration lawyers worry it could shield aggressive tactics against their clients. With comments due by April 6, the State bar plans to weigh in soon, keeping the spotlight on whether stronger federal protections justify weaker. Accountability.