How Can I Get an Expungement in North Carolina? Having a criminal record can wreak havoc on all aspects of your life. When you are convicted of a crime, whether a misdemeanor or felony, you will have a criminal record that will remain forever. Your record will also show that…
Understanding the Castle Doctrine (Stand Your Ground) You are sitting on your back patio when you suddenly see someone you do not know making their way onto your property. The stranger is getting closer and is heading towards your side door with the possible intent of breaking inside. Do you…
What is Self Defense? When you are faced with danger, you want to defend yourself. When you end up seriously hurting or killing the other person as a result, you might be charged with a crime. You may defend the charges with a claim of self-defense. Self-defense is an affirmative…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “A past conviction is keeping me from finding work. What can I do?” Defending Against Assault and Battery Charges in North Carolina Assault and battery charges can be extremely serious. In North Carolina, you could be charged with assault even…
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 violent incident can happen in a second. When a confrontation occurs, it can result in one or the other party suffering severe injuries or…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” A charge of disorderly conduct is typically a misdemeanor crime that may encompass a variety of actions. The police often may charge disorderly conduct along with other charges in a case. While disorderly…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?” There is an old saying that goes, “A person’s home is their castle.” This phrase is used to explain the deeply intrinsic motivation we have to protect our property…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” Many North Carolinians mistakenly believe that they have a right to self-defense any time they are attacked or provoked by another individual. While self-defense can be justifiable under certain circumstances, “defending”…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” When facing criminal assault, battery, or any other type of charges, defendants often claim self defense. When claiming self defense, a defendant is stating that the party claiming to be the victim was…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?” Being in a situation fearing for your life and/or safety is not a place many people want to be. Anyone who has been in that situation will tell you…