Controlled substance law enforcement efforts have been a law enforcement priority for years. Police officers often look for those involved in the drug trade, and they also arrest anyone that they catch in possession of prohibited or controlled substances. Social attitudes about drug use have certainly changed in recent years, and many states have implemented more lenient drug laws. However, North Carolina does not necessarily have a lenient approach to drug crimes. Residents and visitors can expect that law enforcement professionals are typically on the lookout for signs of illicit drug use or ..read more

..read more

Facing criminal charges can be one of the most stressful things you have ever experienced. Suddenly, your whole life and future are at risk, and you do not know how to move forward. One of the first steps to take is to obtain a good defense. However, what does that defense entail? There is a lot of work and many steps that go into an effective defense. However, these three elements are critical: 1. Extensive investigation A good criminal defense attorney conducts their own investigation. Attorneys will look into many aspects of the entire case, particularly: The act that led you to face crimin ..read more

It may be the last thing you expected after one glass of wine with dinner, but the police pulled you over for speeding – and now you are facing charges of driving while impaired. Even if you did not feel impaired, the presence of alcohol in your system can lead to these charges. If this is a first-time DWI charge, it can be overwhelmingly stressful. What are the risks of a first-time offense? More than criminal penalties are on the line You may be fully aware that you could face criminal penalties. Under North Carolina law, even a Level V DWI – which is the least serious offense – can involve ..read more

Sending a child off to college is worrisome enough. Parents hope their children will make good choices and stay out of trouble. Yet, a college campus can be rife with peer pressure and stress. The combination of these factors can lead students to seek ways to take the edge off – and make mistakes. In the last few years, drug use has become more common on campuses nationwide. So, what should parents know? Increase in drug use among students Alcohol is generally the most common substance college students use. They are away from home for the first time, with many weekend parties around them. Many ..read more

Nowadays, marijuana can be a controversial topic. The rules now vary by state, with some states decriminalizing and even legalizing marijuana use. Keeping up with the details of the nationwide debate over cannabis can be complex. However, here are some important elements that individuals in North Carolina must know. Reminder: Marijuana is still illegal in NC Marijuana use is still against the law in North Carolina. State lawmakers have put forward bills to legalize marijuana, but the outcome of these proposed changes in law is uncertain. Many other states legalized the substance, including Vir ..read more

As we have discussed in previous blog posts, driving under the influence of alcohol is not the only way someone could end up facing DWI charges. Driving with drugs in your system could also put you at risk of a DWI. The rate of drugged driving is high According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 11.7 million people across the country admitted to driving while impaired by drugs in 2021. This impairment is not always comparable with alcohol. For example, alcohol is a depressant that slows your reaction time, whereas a stimulant like methamphetamines might lead you to speed or drive ..read more

In a previous blog post, we discussed the effect that aggravating factors can have on criminal charges, especially when it comes to violent crimes. These factors can significantly increase the charges themselves as well as the penalties. There are unique aggravating factors for DWI charges as well. We will take a look at some of the overarching issues that can impact DWI charges. 4 things that can increase DWI risks A DWI is already a serious charge in North Carolina. Individuals should not take even misdemeanor DWI charges lightly. Convictions can stay on your record for years, and leave you ..read more

You may be aware of the Constitutional protection against double jeopardy. Essentially, it is against the law for someone to be tried and convicted twice for one crime. However, double jeopardy does not necessarily prevent someone from facing charges or convictions for one crime at both state and federal levels. We briefly discussed this matter in a previous post, but we will take a closer look at the risk. First: What is “dual sovereignty?” To understand why double jeopardy rules do not prevent charges at both state and federal levels, you must understand dual sovereignty. Essentially, this r ..read more

There are rules that law enforcement must adhere to whenever they search a person or property. One of the steps outlined in these rules is properly serving a warrant. Here is a brief overview of what this means – and what you should do during this process. What does “serving” a search warrant mean? There are two critical steps to serving a search warrant. According to North Carolina law: The police must read you the details of the search warrant The police must also provide a copy of the search warrant for you These steps are necessary before the police begin the search. Of course, there are s ..read more