Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What happens if I am convicted of a DUI or DWI in Charlotte North Carolina?” In North Carolina, drivers who kill other persons in a drunk driving crash or while committing a traffic violation are charged with death by vehicle, also…
Articles Posted in misdemeanor
Defenses to Looting and Trespassing During a Protest in North Carolina
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” Looting is almost synonymous with protests. This was evident during the recent protests over the killing of a black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As reported by Fox News, eight people were charged in…
Can You be Arrested and Charged With a Crime for Protesting in North Carolina?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” Several cities in North Carolina enacted a curfew in response to protests over the killing of George Floyd. In Charlotte, 30 people were arrested during the second night of protests, according to WBTV.…
Were Anti-Abortion Protesters’ Rights Violated When They Were Arrested?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” Arrests of anti-abortion protesters in multiple North Carolina cities, including Charlotte, made national headlines, prompting many high-profile politicians to accuse the police of violating the arrested protesters’ constitutional rights. So, were…
Hit-and-Run Charges in North Carolina: What are the Defenses?
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I represent myself on a traffic ticket?” A hit-and-run is a serious offense in North Carolina. Depending on how severe the victim’s injury is, the fleeing driver may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony. The at-fault motorist who fled…
Hate Crimes Decrease in Charlotte, North Carolina: Penalties and Defense
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” A new report by the FBI showed a slight decrease in hate crimes in Charlotte metro last year compared with 2017. The Federal Bureau of Investigation tracks the number of hate…
Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Coming to North Carolina on Dec. 1, 2019
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “As a parent, what should I be aware of when speaking to police about charges my child faces?” Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Coming to North Carolina on Dec. 1, 2019 North Carolina is the last state in the nation to…
Proposed Senate Bill Could Legalize Three Ounces of Marijuana
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “How is getting charged with a crime on a college campus different from being charged off campus?” As society evolves and changes, the laws that govern us also need to evolve. A hot button topic in politics right now is updating…
GPS Tracking of Domestic Violence Offenders Proposed in North Carolina
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?” A new bill was introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would permit domestic violence offenders to be tracked via GPS. The plan is to have…
The Criminal Court Process in North Carolina
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?” The criminal court process can be difficult to understand. If you have never been charged with a crime, or even if you have, it can be difficult to determine…