Capital Punishment in North Carolina
North Carolina has various punishments for different crime convictions. The most serious of all crimes have the most severe penalties. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty is only to be used for crimes that result in death, such as murder. Only about half the states have capital punishment in place. Capital punishment is a penalty for first-degree murder in North Carolina.
What is Capital Punishment?
Gun Permits No Longer Required in North Carolina
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms. Many federal, state, and local laws are in place to govern gun ownership across the country. Recent legislation has removed the requirement for gun permits in North Carolina. This means that residents may purchase and own a handgun without having to obtain a permit from the local sheriff. This is a change to a permit requirement that was previously in place. The change takes effect immediately.
Handgun Permit Repeal
Is Zooming While Driving Illegal in North Carolina?
The pandemic changed the way people work. Working from home became popular and even after the pandemic, many employees still telecommute, at least for part of their workweek. Remote meetings gained in popularity and are still a common way to conduct business. Remote meetings can save time and money and are an excellent way for businesses to improve productivity. Unfortunately, the uptick in Zoom meetings has created a potential problem on the roads. Participating in a Zoom meeting while behind the wheel can be dangerous and may result in serious accidents.
What is Zoom?
Can I Carry a Gun in My Car?
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides all citizens with the right to bear arms. North Carolina has a gun ownership rate of 45.8%, which means that almost half the adults in the state own firearms. While it is your right to own a firearm, firearm owners must follow the law. Responsible gun owners need to know the laws to ensure that they are not charged with a gun crime. There are various laws in place that pertain to gun ownership in North Carolina.
Gun Ownership Laws
Does North Carolina Have a Stand Your Ground Law?
Residents have a right to defend themselves and their property. The ability to protect and defend your home has been in the news over the last decade. More and more states have enacted “stand your ground” laws to clarify your rights and provide guidance for how and when it is legal to use force to protect yourself. At least half the states have such a law on the books. North Carolina has had a “stand your ground” law in place since 2011. An experienced North Carolina criminal defense attorney will answer your questions and defend against your charges.
What Does it Mean to Stand Your Ground?
What is the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission?
If you were wrongfully convicted of a crime in North Carolina, there is something you can do about it. Besides filing an appeal, your case might qualify for review by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. The Commission has the legal authority to evaluate and make a determination of innocence based on new information or evidence. The NCIIC recently celebrated its 15th anniversary.
What is the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission?
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Car manufacturers have been steadily improving the safety of vehicles over the years. As a result, cars are safer than ever before. Unfortunately, accidents are still occurring at a rising rate. One of the reasons for an increase in accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving increased with the increased use of cell phones. Although it is illegal to use a handheld device while driving, many people still use their phones to text. Texting and other examples of distractions can result in accidents. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
What is Distracted Driving?
What to Do if You are Stopped By the Police
When the police are not handling major crimes, they are often roving around on the lookout for traffic violations and minor offenses. The police may stop you for any number of reasons. If you have ever been stopped, you know that you might get very scared, even if you did not do anything wrong. Your heart rate may go up, and you could experience other signs of anxiety. You might become flustered when you speak with the officer. It is helpful to know what you should and should not do when you get stopped by the police.
Slow Down and Pull Over – As soon as you see police lights or hear the siren behind you, it is your duty to pull over to the side of the road as soon as possible. You will want to choose a safe spot, but you must slow down so the police know that it is your intention to stop. You do not want to provoke a chase or get charged with failure to heed.
Defending Against Hit-and-Run Charges
If you are involved in an accident in North Carolina, you must remain at the scene. If you leave the scene, it is considered a crime, and you could be charged with hit and run. Hit-and-run charges are serious, and you could face penalties that include jail time and more if you are convicted. If you are charged with hit-and-run, you will want to vigorously defend yourself to avoid conviction and a criminal record. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will help you achieve a favorable outcome in the case.
What is a Hit-and-Run?
How Do DWI Breath Tests Work?
Driving while impaired (DWI) is a serious offense. DWI generally refers to driving while under the influence of alcohol, but it can also pertain to drugs. If you are stopped by law enforcement, they will want to assess you for impairment and determine whether you are over the legal drinking limit. The legal limit in North Carolina is 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The police will utilize field sobriety tests to evaluate impairment. They will also use breath tests to measure your BAC level.
What is BAC?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog