What is getting “Boxcared” ?

Getting “boxcared” means a judge ordered multiple prison sentences to run one after another—not at the same time. That can take a sentence that might have been just a few years and stretch it into decades. Think of it like stacking boxes: each sentence is placed on top of the other, and you have to serve the full time for each before moving to the next.

Until now, North Carolina law typically defaulted to concurrent sentencing, meaning most prison terms ran at the same time—unless the judge specifically said otherwise. But that’s about to change.

⚖️ New Law Changes the Game

On July 9, 2025, Governor Stein signed a new law that reverses North Carolina’s long-standing default rule about sentencing. Beginning December 1, 2025, for any crime committed on or after that date, judges will no longer automatically run sentences at the same time.

Instead:
–  There is no default to concurrent sentencing anymore.
–  Judges must decide whether sentences will run concurrently or consecutively (boxcared).
–  And importantly, the judge must put in writing the reasons for that decision.

In other words, if you’re convicted of more than one offense, you could be looking at back-to-back prison time—unless your attorney can persuade the judge otherwise.

📅 Who Does This Apply To?

– These changes only apply to crimes committed on or after December 1, 2025.
– If your offense happened before that date, the current (more lenient) rules still apply.

💡 What This Means for You

This change makes sentencing much more serious for people facing multiple charges. A skilled defense attorney now has to actively fight to avoid boxcared sentences—and the stakes are higher than ever.

At Thomas, Ferguson & Beskind, we don’t just accept what the prosecution offers. We:
– Work to beat the charges entirely—so sentencing never happens.
– If sentencing is on the table, we advocate strongly for concurrent time.
– And we hold judges accountable to the law by requiring written justifications if they impose stacked sentences.

We’ve always fought hard to keep our clients from getting boxcared. Now it’s more important than ever.

📞 Charged With a Crime? Don’t Wait.

If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges, especially multiple charges, your sentence could be years longer under this new law. Don’t gamble on the outcome. Call a firm that knows how to fight.