Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What should parents tell their children to do when interacting with police officers?” The Supreme Court this week issued a ruling that many experts believe cleared the way for criminal action against the international soccer organization FIFA. In its ruling, the…
Articles Posted in Criminal Defense
Armed Robber Jailed After Victim’s Facebook Suggested They Become Friends
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” The “People You May Know” section on Facebook is one of those love-it-or-hate-it features. Like so many other aspects of social media in an age where the law recognizes almost all social platform…
Your Fingerprints Can’t Plead the Fifth, Federal Court Says
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” On this blog earlier in the year we talked about the FBI trying to force Apple to hack into the San Bernardino shooting suspect’s iPhone to help with the ongoing criminal investigation. Since…
U.S. Supreme Court Issues Decision In Race-Based Jury Selection Case
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Am I allowed to videotape an interaction with police? Can they make me stop filming?” An important decision in a Georgia death penalty case was finally revealed after the Supreme Court spent more than seven months debating the matter. The High…
Is Genuine Need Ever Justification For Committing Crime? In Italy, Maybe So
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?” A man in Italy found himself in the odd situation of having a conviction overturned not because he didn’t do the crime, but because…
What you should know about the 1994 Crime Bill
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “When can I post on Social media about my ongoing case?” A hot topic the past week or so has concerned a bill signed into law more than two decades ago. The 1994 Crime Bill has become important of late given…
Accused ISIS Supporter Stuck in Stateside Honeypot Trap
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?” A young man from Michigan is being accused of supporting the Islamic State by federal prosecutors after becoming involved in a so-called “honeypot trap.” Khalil Abu Rayyan, 21,…
Does a Juror Have the Right to Acquit No Matter the Evidence?
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Do I need to hire an attorney if I have been falsely accused?” Juries play an incredibly important role in our criminal justice system in determining the guilt or innocence of the accused. The topic of jury nullification…
New Study Further Questions Fingerprint Analysis; Challenging Pseudo-Science In Your Criminal Case
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” Forensic Magazine recently published an article about fingerprint analysis with exciting results for people facing criminal charges where fingerprint evidence might come in against them. The February 2016 article discusses…
Bizarre “Moorish Defense” Continues Among Criminal Defendants
Brad Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I talk to the police?” Normally when a person stands accused of committing a crime, he or she seeks out a skilled criminal defense attorney to help prepare the strongest defense possible. The goal is to rely on…