A person who is on probation must abide by the terms of the program. These are given to them by their probation officer or someone else in the office. A person who doesn’t comply with the applicable terms can face a probation violation. This is a legal matter than can have dire consequences. Some individuals might think that once their probation term is expired, they don’t have to worry about any probation violation issues. The state’s laws set an extended period of jurisdiction for this to happen in some cases. There are three criteria that must be present in order for a probation violation hearing to occur after the person has been released from probation: A written violation report is…Read More
Dealing with all the penalties that come along with a DWI charge can be inconvenient and frustrating. You can’t just pay a fine and move on, like you can when faced with many other driving tickets. Of course, driving tickets equate to points that can stack up and lead to a driver’s license suspension. But they don’t come with the same list of punishments or weight of a misdemeanor or felony charge that a DWI can carry. Driver’s License Suspension Whether you use your license to transport yourself or your family, facing a license suspension or revocation can impact your day-to-day life. You might have to find alternate ways to get to work or transport your children to school or…Read More
Allegations of wanton damage, injury and destruction of property are serious. Property damage that people view as a joke or as a harmless way to get revenge against someone else is a crime. Police take property crimes seriously and so should you. Depending on the allegations, the charges could range from misdemeanor charges to felonies. Anyone accused of these crimes must address them before they get out of control. There are things people often think are harmless. It could be egging someone’s house, keying a car or graffiti. The damage could result in serious allegations that could lead to serious problems. The Charges Could Range from Misdemeanors to Felonies Property damage crimes are some of the most common allegations in…Read More
Domestic violence accusations sometimes come out of the heat of the moment. There might not have been anything criminal that occurred, but the alleged victim perceived there to be. Law enforcement shows up and suddenly, you’re being arrested. You find out that you have a restraining order that prevents you from going around or contacting the victim. All of this is based on that individual’s statements and possibly a bit of circumstantial evidence. The statements from the victim might be a central point in the prosecution’s case. But, what happens if that person changes their statement about what happened during the incident? When a person changes or completely takes back their statement, it is known as recanting. Some individuals believe…Read More
You check your watch, but it’s not April 1. You look outside for hidden cameras, but this is not one of those prank-playing television shows. You return your attention to the two police officers standing at the door, having decided they must be real. Being accused of theft, or larceny as it’s known in North Carolina, can come as a surprise if you are a law-abiding citizen. Unfortunately, many innocent people are accused of theft each year. There are several reasons why people wrongly accuse others of stealing: To get you in trouble: Let’s say a work colleague has a grudge against you. They could place an item in your drawer at the office, which is “discovered” after someone reports…Read More
With North Carolina residents told the stay home as much as possible over the past several weeks, experts suspect that incidents of domestic violence have increased, though reports may actually be down since the lockdown began. For example, a Forsyth County organization that helps people get away from domestic violence in their homes says that all the factors that lead to abuse are present in many households: lost employment, isolation, and drug and alcohol abuse. However, the group’s emergency hotline has gotten fewer calls recently. And the organization has had fewer people showing up in person to ask for help. That could be because victims are stuck at home with their abuser and unable to reach out. Could Charges Spike…Read More
Conviction of a crime has the potential to impact the rest of a North Carolina defendant’s life. Whether it’s a misdemeanor charge or a complex federal case, criminal charges have the potential to negatively affect everything from a college career to specific personal freedoms. No matter the nature of the case, anyone who is facing a charge or under investigation would be wise to move quickly to protect his or her long-term interests. The criminal justice system is complex and overwhelming. Even in seemingly straightforward cases, there are potential challenges that could ultimately affect the outcome of the case. When it’s future opportunities or even a person’s life on the line, it’s worthwhile to have experienced guidance starting as soon…Read More
There are several infractions that can result in the suspension of someone’s license. They may be driving without insurance. They might face drug or alcohol-related charges. They might have unpaid fines or fees like traffic fines on their record. They may even have refused to pay court-ordered child support. No matter what the cause, a suspended license could be a challenge for them in the future. What should you know if you have a suspended license? 1 - Suspension and Revocation Are Two Different Things While suspension and revocation both mean that you cannot drive on North Carolina’s roads, the two terms have some important legal differences. Suspension is when you are unable to operate a vehicle on a temporary…Read More
Every now and then, a high-profile case ends up in the news about a person who ends up facing charges of assault, or much worse, after defending themselves against an attacker who tried to harm them. On the extreme end of the spectrum, consider the story of Brittany Smith, a 32-year old Alabama woman being charged with murder after shooting a man she says brutally raped her as he choked her brother, who tried to defend her. She sought protection under Alabama’s Stand Your Ground law, but lost her appeal this past April. Dealing With Assault And Battery Accusations Although less severe than a murder charge, it’s unnerving to find yourself slapped with assault and battery charges after a dispute…Read More
If police accuse you of possessing a certain amount of marijuana, methamphetamine or other controlled substances, the chances are good that they will arrest you on drug trafficking charges. The amount you must be allegedly in possession of is relatively small. In North Carolina, all it takes is 10 pounds of marijuana or just four ounces of heroin, to cite two examples, to lead to trafficking charges. The law has several trafficking-related crimes, and it is common for someone accused of trafficking to be hit with numerous charges at once. With North Carolina’s strict mandatory minimum sentencing laws, you could be facing years in prison for, say, 11 pounds of marijuana. Medications that are legal when properly prescribed but illegal…Read More
