Abstract:
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District, in an en banc ruling authorized by Judge Russell, announced a new standard for political firing cases with its decision on August 7, 1997 in Jenkins, et al. v. Medford. Bobby Lee Medford was Sheriff of Buncombe County, and after his reelection, he dismissed several deputies who had worked for his opponent. This bulletin summarizes the decision and its implications for NC officials.