Numerous laws in North Carolina take effect Monday. Along with the constitutional amendment about jury trials, the new laws will add protections for Venus flytraps and let children in eight counties shoot BB guns unsupervised.

 

Provisions of nine laws are effective December 1st. Some make technical and other minor changes to existing laws. Other legislation stiffens penalties for criminal offenses, including inmates who have cell phones and people caught multiple times carrying concealed handguns without a permit.

A constitutional amendment that allows criminal defendants to waive jury trials was approved by voters last month. Defendants have this option in 49 other states and the federal criminal justice system, but North Carolina defendants previously couldn't waive the jury trial.   

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