Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?” Here in the U.S. we’re used to applying multiple levels of criminal laws. There are local ordinances, state laws and federal statutes and someone’s behavior can, at times, implicate…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Could “Faithless Electors” Face Criminal Penalties?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?” In the divided political world of 2016, it’s something that conspiracy theorists love to discuss. What impact could a group of “faithless electors” have on the election results? Though…
Double Jeopardy: Feds and State Can Still Both Charge You for Same Conduct
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” When the Utah jury acquitted a man named Roberto Román of first-degree murder of an officer of the peace, Román and his attorney breathed sighs of relief. Román was still convicted of two…
New York Governor Signs Law Criminalizing Use of Ticket-Buying Bots
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” If you’ve ever tried to buy tickets to a concert or other popular live event you understand the frustration felt by many. It can be downright impossible to get tickets to…
The Rights You’ll Forfeit by not Calling Your DWI Attorney Over the Holidays
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What steps should I be taking outside legal guidance to help my DWI case?” With so many holidays right around the corner, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the imperative of calling your attorney immediately if you…
Are law enforcement officials collecting pictures of your face?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Am I allowed to videotape an interaction with police? Can they make me stop filming?” Most people assume that if they’ve never been arrested and charged with a crime, there’s no way their personal information would be inside a criminal database.…
Involuntary Commitment Does Not Trigger Miranda, Court Rules
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” To many people, involuntary commitment in a psychiatric facility seems like the equivalent of jail when it comes to restricting your freedoms; for some, it could be considered even worse. However,…
Do Marijuana Legalization Laws Matter?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I am charged by campus police could I still face jail time or probation?” Recently, the two largest cities in Tennessee passed laws aimed at reducing the number of residents arrested for nonviolent drug crimes. Specifically, the cities passed laws…
Jury Awards $150,000 to SC Man in Wrongful Prosecution/Stand-Your-Ground Case
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “The person that called the police doesn’t want to press charges, can I still be prosecuted?” In a lawsuit for malicious prosecution, a York County jury has awarded a $150,000 verdict to a Rock Hill-area man for the county Sheriff’s Office…
California voters weigh in on several important criminal law matters
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?” Millions of voters around the country are busy today making a number of important decisions, the biggest of which is about who will lead our country for the next…