Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?”
If you’ve already been convicted of a crime but are sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, criminal defense lawyers will normally advise you to stay on your best behavior. The lag time between conviction and sentencing leaves any jailhouse behavior subject to the sentencing judge’s scrutiny.
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I am charged by campus police could I still face jail time or probation?”
The “Ban the Box” movement appears to be picking up steam across the country as more and more states pass measures aimed at removing a hurdle that often discourages those with criminal records from even trying to find work. President Obama has now waded into the issue, moving on the federal level to end the practice of pre-screening for previous criminal infractions. Advocates of “Ban the Box” measures are celebrating the victory, though believe much work remains to be done before those with criminal records truly have a fair shot at finding gainful employment.
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?”
Manson Family member Leslie Van Houten was finally recommended for parole by a parole board panel this April after having been denied 19 times.
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 the increasingly combative Democratic presidential primary, with Senator Bernie Sanders and his supporters citing the 1994 bill as an example of wrongheaded legislation embraced by Secretary Hillary Clinton, then First Lady. Senator Clinton has since had to distance herself from the 1994 bill and has begun to criticize certain aspects of the legislation, a dramatic turn of events given her and former President Bill Clinton’s once warm embrace of the anti-crime legislation.
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I talk to the police?”
Though Donald Trump has had no shortage of press attention over the past few months, a special frenzy has begun recently over claims that the Republican presidential candidate is inciting violence against protesters, using fiery rhetoric to agitate his loyal supporters. One of several examples critics point to is what happened at a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, when a 78-year-old attendee sucker punched a young protester in the face.
Charlotte DWI and Criminal Defense Attorney J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?”
It’s often the most dramatic scene in any legal TV show or movie: the moment when the witness on the stand points to the person who committed the crime. Though this moment can make for great TV and is often portrayed as an authoritative identification, the reality is far murkier. Critics of current law enforcement practices involving witness identification say that reform is badly needed as innocent men and women go to prison due to faulty IDs. To find out more about the current process and the changes some say are needed, keep reading.
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question: “I was found not guilty of a charge, why does my record still show the charge?”
The West Virginia Supreme Court recently issued an important decision that will help clear up questions regarding the rights of criminal defendants when it comes to making plea deals. Though the impact of the case is currently limited only to those defendants located in West Virginia, expert say that the case will likely have implications elsewhere given the strength and clarity of the decision.
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I talk to the police?”
When most people think of detective work, they think of a scene out of Law & Order, with police officers kicking in doors or interviewing witnesses. While that’s certainly true in some cases, detectives are forced to adapt to and keep up with rapid technological change as much as those in any other industry. Detective work today happens online and, more specifically, on social media sites with more regularity than many people imagine. This access to the internet and to social media websites can prove incredibly useful to officers in some cases and frustrating in others.
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers : I was found not guilty of a charge, but my record still shows the charge
Two North Carolina teens have reached deals with prosecutors and are now able to move on with their lives, avoiding jail time and registration as sex offenders. Their cases illustrate the serious harm that can come from sexting as a minor. Their cases also reveal inconsistencies in North Carolina’s laws that may occasionally cause more harm than good.
Charlotte DWI Attorney Brad Smith answers the question “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?”
Saturday marked the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall on the Gulf Coast. The breach of the levees protecting New Orleans resulted in 80 percent of the city submerged in floodwaters. Overall, the hurricane took the lives of over 1,800 people, many of whom lived in New Orleans.
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog