Attorney J. Bradley Smith answering the question: “A past conviction is keeping me from finding work what can I do?” A new criminal measure is getting attention in North Carolina as legislators consider changing a longstanding law which allows those over age 16 to be charged and prosecuted as adults.…
Attorney J. Bradley Smith answering the question: “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” A potentially important bill has been introduced in the North Carolina legislature that could change the way law enforcement agencies handle marijuana possession offenses. The legislation, House Bill 637, would lower penalties for…
Attorney J. Bradley Smith answering the question: “What should I do if I have been pulled over and I have been drinking?” With the 2013 legislative session in North Carolina well underway, lawmakers in the state are moving forward with several important changes to the criminal justice system that deserve…
Attorney J. Bradley Smith answering the question: “I was found not guilty of a charge, but my record still shows the charge.” A recently proposed bill working its way through the North Carolina General Assembly would cut appointed superior court judges across the state, including one here in Mecklenburg County.…
In a somewhat frightening attempt to create a comprehensive surveillance network across the county, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have said that they want access to private businesses’ security cameras which would allow them to actively monitor the happenings at malls, gas stations and banks. Though the CMPD has not yet said how…
Nearly two-dozen new laws went into effect on Saturday including one important item that extends a North Carolina crime against cyber-bullying to also provide protection to school employees. The new law will mean that students who use a computer to intimidate or threaten school employees will face criminal penalties. Existing…
Brad Smith, a partner here at Arnold & Smith, made the news recently when it was announced that prosecutors in Charlotte, NC decided to appeal a judge’s decision to throw out the drunk driving charges filed against Tim Newman. Neman’s case made headlines earlier this year when the former chief…
After eight days of a contentious trial, the case that will test North Carolina’s new racial justice law finally wrapped up last week. The outcome of the case will have an important impact in determining how the Racial Justice Act is interpreted in future criminal cases. Under the state’s law,…
According to WCNC, just this week the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced that their electronic monitoring program led directly to a rape conviction. Damian Jackson claimed that he never committed the crime, despite evidence from the electronic ankle bracelet that showed he was at the scene at the time of the…
According to recent article on WCNC.com, the Charlotte City Council has now unanimously approved the decision to bring a gunshot detection system, known as ShotSpotter, to the city. Police and elected officials are hoping that it will improve public safety and give officers another effective tool to help fight crime.…