What factors can impact a criminal sentence after a conviction?
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by gturnercontentcustoms
2M ago
After a conviction in North Carolina, the sentence imposed can be influenced by several factors. Each of these factors can play a role in the defense strategy that the defendant uses in an effort to mitigate the terms of their sentence. Understanding these factors is crucial for defendants because they can profoundly impact the nature and severity of a sentence imposed in the event of a conviction. Criminal history One primary factor in sentencing is the defendant’s criminal history. North Carolina uses a structured sentencing system, where prior convictions can lead to a more severe sentence ..read more
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How language barriers can lead to rights violations after an arrest
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by gturnercontentcustoms
6M ago
There are thousands of Spanish-speaking individuals living in the Greensboro, North Carolina area. Many of those people are at a disadvantage when they experience brushes with the legal system, in no small part because those who are arrested may not be able to properly assert their rights if they can’t communicate effectively with police officers. English is a very difficult language to learn, and many people struggle to understand all of their rights when English is not their first language. During an interaction with police officers or federal investigators, a language barrier could potentia ..read more
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Judges rule roadside drug test kits unreliable
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by jerricraventextbroker
9M ago
Corrections departments and law enforcement agencies in North Carolina and around the country equip their officers with drug test kits because they only cost about $2 and are very easy to use. All corrections or police officers have to do is place suspicious substances in plastic bags and then watch to see if the chemicals inside the bags change color. The problem is that dozens of benign and quite legal substances trigger the same chemical reactions. This has led to several lawsuits and a series of legal rulings that suggest roadside drug testing may soon be a thing of the past. Lawsuits and ..read more
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Larceny charges in North Carolina
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by jerricraventextbroker
1y ago
No one wants or expects to be arrested for a crime like larceny. There are various ways this might happen even if you are actually innocent. This is what you can expect if you face these charges in North Carolina. Understanding larceny charges Depending on the value of the property, you can face either misdemeanor or felony larceny charges. Possession of stolen goods worth $1,000 or less can result in a class 1 misdemeanor charge, which carries a jail term of a maximum of 120 days and a maximum fine of $1,000. In some cases, a strong criminal defense may result in lesser charges and avoidance ..read more
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Reliability of eyewitness testimonies in North Carolina
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by lauren.king@thomsonreuters.com
1y ago
Eyewitness testimony can play a big part in criminal court cases in North Carolina. They can be the last piece of evidence needed to convict someone of a crime or the only thing that points to their innocence. However, despite the weight eyewitness testimony carries in court cases, it is not always reliable. A significant percentage of wrongful convictions lie in the realm of eyewitness misidentification. Reasons why eyewitness testimonies are inaccurate Eye witness testimonies depend on what a person can remember. Memory is fallible and can be easily distorted by certain things, such as the t ..read more
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Why should you avoid sharing your prescription drugs?
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by jerricraventextbroker
1y ago
North Carolinians usually think drug charges involve street drugs, but you can be arrested for sharing prescription drugs. Sharing legally prescribed drugs with others is a crime and is dangerous. Dangers associated with sharing prescription drugs In addition to sharing prescription drugs being illegal and increasing your risk of being charged with a crime, there are dangers associated with sharing. Certain types of drugs carry serious side effects that can harm a person based on their medical history and medical conditions. Some prescription drugs can aggravate certain medical conditions or c ..read more
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Top defenses for drunk driving in North Carolina
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by banukumar.s@thomsonreuters.com
1y ago
DWI is a serious charge that can attract significant penalties, including jail time, fines and license suspension. That is why it is important to understand how best you can defend against such a charge. Lack of probable cause When a police officer stops you on suspicion of DWI, they must have a valid reason for doing so. This is known as probable cause. For example, an officer may claim that they stopped you because you were weaving in and out of your lane. However, if the officer cannot show that you were actually doing this, then their stop may be illegal. Incorrect field sobriety tests In ..read more
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Cocaine laws in North Carolina
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by banukumar.s@thomsonreuters.com
1y ago
Cocaine is commonly made into a powder from the coca plant native to South America. Since it is highly addictive, controlled substance laws make it illegal in Greensboro, North Carolina. A person caught buying, selling or possessing it can face serious charges. North Carolina drug law overview North Carolina bases drug possession charges on six schedules, which are grouped according to addiction risk, public health risk and medical benefit. Schedule I substances are the most addictive, which include heroin, ecstasy, morphine and LSD, with no approved medical benefit. Schedule II substances inc ..read more
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Former CEO pleads guilty to federal charges
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by banukumar.s@thomsonreuters.com
1y ago
A North Carolina woman appeared in a federal court on Jan. 12 to enter a guilty plea to a single charge of wire fraud in connection with a $15 million embezzlement scheme. According to U.S. attorneys, the 52-year-old Taylorsville resident took the money from a firm that produces carbide products between 2013 and 2020 while serving as the company’s chief executive officer. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western Dis ..read more
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How possession of a firearm can make drug trafficking charges much worse
Coalter Law, PLLC Blog
by banukumar.s@thomsonreuters.com
1y ago
Federal criminal law can be quite complex. Often, a criminal charge can become much more severe if certain elements are present. If you are facing federal charges for drug trafficking or another federal drug felony, here is how using, carrying or possessing a gun can make the charges against you much higher. Using firearms in furtherance of a drug crime When the police arrest someone for trafficking drugs, and the person had firearms in their possession that they used or intended to use to further the drug crime, they can face increased jail time. The severity of the increased penalties depend ..read more
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