Turning State's

In this episode, Hyde and Holbrook discuss three cases decided by the North Carolina appellate courts in May 2026. In State v. Hague, No. 225A24 (N.C. May 22, 2026), the Supreme Court concluded the trial court reversibly erred by excluding evidence of the victim’s prior convictions to show the defendant’s state of mind. In State v. Phillips, No. COA25-864 (N.C. Ct. App. May 6, 2026), the Court of Appeals found no confrontation clause violation in allowing a substitute analyst to testify to independent conclusions based on photographs. And in State v. Palmiter, No. COA25-338 (N.C. Ct. App. May 6, 2026), the Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of G.S. 14-318.5 making it a felony for a person providing care to or supervision of a child knowingly or wantonly to fail to report the disappearance of the child to law enforcement.

What is Turning State's?

Turning State's is a podcast for North Carolina prosecutors and others interested in the criminal justice system in North Carolina. It is hosted by Joseph L. Hyde, prosecutor advisor with the University of North Carolina School of Government, and Jonathan Holbrook, director of training with the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. The podcast follows the format of a case update. Each episode features Hyde and Holbrook discussing a few criminal cases recently decided by North Carolina appellate courts. Listeners can expect to stay up to date on relevant criminal caselaw and receive expert advice on how this caselaw can inform and advance other prosecutions.

Turning State's is produced in the recording studio at the University of North Carolina School of Government. The podcast is a collaboration between the School of Government and the Conference of District Attorneys.