Carnivorous plants, tiny metal spheres and cell phones. These are the focus of some of the new laws that go into effect December 1 in North Carolina.
Let’s start with the carnivorous plants, better known as Venus fly traps. A small section of the Carolinas is one of the few places they are found in the wild. In the past it was a misdemeanor to poach one of these plants. Starting today it is a felony.
It is still only a misdemeanor to be caught carrying a concealed weapon the first time. But it’s now a felony if you’re caught doing that more than once.
If you’re charged with a felony you now have the right to decline a jury trial and have your case decided solely by a judge.
And if you do land in jail, or are just visiting and looking to make a quick buck, the punishment for giving or selling a cell phone to an inmate just went up. It too is now a felony.
Finally, children under 12 in eight counties no longer need adult supervision when using BB guns, air rifles and air pistols. Now, only nine of North Carolina’s 100 counties still require adult supervision when firing the guns. Mecklenburg County is one of them.
