If many misdemeanor warrants aren't served in Durham, then there'd be all the more reason to have some software built in that kicks the warrant out of the system when it expires unless there is court or statutory authority for the warrant to be valid beyond its expiration date.
Does NC or the City or County of Durham - anybody? - require cabbies to have current permits and go through a brief background check periodically?
This whole thing - the entire case - is absolutely stunning to me that this is even happening in this day and age. I just don't get it at all. The warrant system, the GJ system, no probable cause hearings, no speedy trial, nothing. Call me naive, but I had no idea there were criminal justice systems such as this going on in this country. It's no wonder Barry Sheck and those guys started that Innocence Project. I am just stunned and amazed. This crap woould last about five minutes out here, yet all the lawyers involved in this case seem to just accept it as normal.
I don't know the answer to cabbie regs.. you make good points.