J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I talk to the police?” Nothing on the internet ever really goes away, conventional tech wisdom holds. A person types out an email and hits “Send,” and the words can never be taken back; and what’s more—even…
Articles Posted in Charlotte
State Highway Patrol resists release of dash-cam videos in criminal cases
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” Local news outlets are abuzz over the deployment of officer body cameras in two divisions of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. CMPD Major Steve Willis showed WBTV a model of the…
NHL player arrested after pool-party pat down uncovers his cocaine, Molly
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” Sports and celebrity news sites in the United States, Canada and around the world have broadcast the details surrounding the arrest last Friday of professional hockey star Jarret Stoll. Stoll…
Police officer seeks dismissal of conviction related to fantasy of killing, eating women
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” The prosecution of a former New York City police officer who federal prosecutors say participated in “a concerted criminal plot to kidnap and eat women” has raised concerns that his…
Legislator wants to expand sex-offender registry to include places of employment
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers: A past conviction is keeping me from finding work what can I do? A state legislator has introduced a bill that she says will close a loophole in Illinois’ sex offender registry. Critics of the bill say the bill is “overly punitive and…
Manslaughter charge for teen who encouraged friend to commit suicide
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” The criminal law, it is said, evolves as technology does, and criminal codes and doctrines grow to fit the new circumstances and technologies that criminals, would-be criminals and unknowing criminals…
State legislature reshaping criminal code in wake of legalized marijuana use
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” The Washington State legislature is considering changes to the state’s criminal code that would dramatically alter the manner in which marijuana-related crimes are prosecuted in the state. Under…
Road rage, forgery convictions no obstacle to employment in Family and Children Services
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: A past conviction is keeping me from finding work what can I do? The State of Georgia has employed a woman to protect its most vulnerable children despite her convictions for forgery and on charges stemming from a 2011 road-rage incident.…
Jury clears officer who shot and killed unarmed backseat passenger during traffic stop
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” The “Hands up, don’t shoot!” moniker is all the rage in the United States, with prominent professional athletes in the National Basketball Association and National Football League, as…
“Wings on pigs” post protected by First Amendment, says legal expert
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I talk to the police?” Americans are well informed of the facts—and the rhetoric—surrounding the high-profile police killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner in New York City this past summer. Most are just…