Policy Change in Administrative License Suspension Hearings

Did you know that in 2009, Parker McFarland filed a civil lawsuit against the elected Solicitor General in Forsyth County for enforcement of subpoenas at ALS hearings? Forsyth County officers had started a policy of coming to ALS hearings without the reports or videotapes from their arrests.

Attorney Parker McFarland sent a subpoena to the Solicitor General who refused to provide the subpoenaed report and video. Attorney Parker McFarland obtained an order staying five of his ALS cases so that he could file a petition in Superior Court for an enforcement order against the Solicitor General.

The case was appealed to the Court of Appeals and resulted in a policy change where local officers now make their reports and videos available to defense attorneys prior to ALS hearings.