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…
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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…
The Criminal Court Process in North Carolina
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” 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 what the…
Can Criminal Charges be Dropped?
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?” The prospect of facing criminal charges can lead to anxiety and uncertainty, regardless if the crime is a felony or a misdemeanor. You might think…
The Statute of Limitations for North Carolina Criminal Charges
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?” If you watch a television drama that follows the story of a crime and its prosecution, it seems like a quick process. A crime is committed, suspects are…
Disorderly Conduct at School? North Carolina Court of Appeals Decides
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What should parents tell their children to do when interacting with police officers?” A chair is thrown in a cafeteria. What is your first reaction to that? Silly high school antics? Assault? Is this a crime? The North Carolina Court of…
Supreme Court Upholds Privacy Rights in Warrantless Searches
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can the police search my car without a warrant?” One of the fundamental rights that American citizens have is the right to privacy. We have the right to feel secure in our person and be free from unreasonable searches and seizures…